From Trauma to Treatment: What works in recovery from sexual violence?

Agterhof, Maat (2025) From Trauma to Treatment: What works in recovery from sexual violence? Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

With over 1.7 million Dutch adults repor7ng experiences of sexually transgressive behavior in 2024, sexual violence (SV) and sexual abuse (SA) remain an ongoing public health crisis. The systema7c implementa7on of trauma-informed treatment remains a challenge, even with legisla7ve movement towards affirma7ve consent models. To assess the effec7veness of therapeu7c and preven7ve interven7ons for SV/SA survivors, this umbrella review synthesizes evidence from 13 systema7c reviews and meta-analyses. The reviews showed varied outcomes: trauma-focused psychotherapies, including Cogni7ve Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensi7za7on and Reprocessing (EMDR), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Dialec7cal Behavior Therapy (DBT), consistently reduced core trauma symptoms in the short term. CBT uniquely demonstrated las7ng benefits for post-trauma7c stress, depression, and anxiety, while DBT was par7cularly suited to survivors of chronic, rela7onal abuse. School-based preven7on programmes for child sexual abuse improved protec7ve knowledge, safety skills, and disclosure rates, especially among children aged eight years and older. Secondary preven7on delivered shortly aXer an assault reduced acute stress reac7ons and may help prevent the development of chronic PTSD, although long-term follow-up data remain scarce. Marginalized popula7ons, including LGBTQ+ survivors, men, and culturally diverse groups, were underrepresented across studies, and adverse effects were rarely reported. These results highlight the need for tailored treatments that reflect trauma chronicity (Type I/II) and survivor diversity, alongside inclusive, long-term research to close important dispari7es in access to effec7ve care. Combining focused treatments with preven7on in an integrated approach offers the greatest poten7al to reduce the enduring impacts of sexual violence.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Cuijpers, L.S.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Talent Development and Creativity (TDC) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	22 Sep 2025 07:10
Last Modified:	22 Sep 2025 07:10
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5942

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