Can Digital Health Tools Help Sexual Assault Survivors Access Mental Health Care?

What you need to know

• Sexual assault survivors often face barriers to seeking mental health care, including stigma and shame
• A computerized screening and brief intervention program helped women veterans connect with mental health treatment
• Digital health tools can provide a low-stigma way to address trauma and connect survivors with needed care

The Challenge of Seeking Help After Sexual Assault

Imagine walking into a healthcare setting, carrying the weight of a traumatic experience that you’ve never shared with anyone. You want help, but fear being judged or not believed. This is the reality for many sexual assault survivors, who often struggle silently with the psychological aftermath of trauma.

Sexual assault affects approximately 1 in 5 women in their lifetime. The impact can be devastating, often leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), problems with alcohol use, and increased risk of experiencing intimate partner violence. Yet many survivors never receive the mental health care they need, due to feelings of shame, fear of stigma, and other barriers to treatment.

A Digital Solution: The SHE Program

Researchers developed and tested a computer-based program called Safe and Healthy Experiences (SHE) to help address this challenge. The program provides personalized feedback, education, and support through an iPad interface in primary care settings.

SHE uses motivational interviewing techniques - an evidence-based counseling approach that helps people explore their readiness to make changes. The program includes:

• Screening for mental health needs
• Educational videos featuring other women sharing their experiences
• Information about available resources and treatment options
• Goal-setting tools for those ready to take next steps
• Tailored feedback based on each person’s situation

What the Study Found

The researchers conducted a trial with 153 women veterans who had experienced sexual assault and had current mental health concerns. Half received the SHE program, while half received standard screening and referrals.

The key finding was that women who used SHE were significantly more likely to begin and continue mental health treatment compared to the control group. This was confirmed both through medical records and self-reported treatment use.

While SHE did not directly reduce PTSD symptoms, drinking problems, or experiences of intimate partner violence during the 4-month study period, it succeeded in its primary goal - helping survivors connect with mental health care that could address these issues over time.

Breaking Down Barriers

What makes digital tools like SHE particularly valuable is their ability to overcome common barriers to care. They:

• Provide privacy and anonymity
• Allow survivors to move at their own pace
• Reduce stigma by removing initial face-to-face disclosure
• Make information accessible outside of clinical encounters
• Help coordinate care and referrals seamlessly

This may be especially important for women who face additional barriers due to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or military service history.

What This Means for You

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault:

• Know that you’re not alone and it’s never too late to seek help
• Consider asking your healthcare provider about screening tools or digital resources
• Remember that feeling hesitant about seeking help is normal
• Take things at your own pace - even small steps toward getting support matter
• Look for providers and programs that make you feel safe and respected

For healthcare providers:

• Consider implementing digital screening tools in your practice
• Recognize that trauma survivors may need different pathways to accessing care
• Focus on creating low-stigma environments that empower patients

Conclusions

• Digital health tools can provide a bridge to mental health care for sexual assault survivors who might not otherwise seek help
• Computer-based interventions are acceptable to patients and can be easily integrated into primary care settings
• While technology alone may not resolve trauma symptoms, it can help survivors take the crucial first step of connecting with treatment