Help-Seeking: The Role of Social Networks and Formal Resources in Supporting Sexual Assault Survivors

• In Event: Cultural and Community Influences on Violence and Prevention

Abstract

Help-seeking, the act of disclosing abuse to others or seeking formal help, is a crucial decision for many survivors of sexual assault. Many sexual assault victims consider various factors when deciding whether to pursue informal support from those close to them or formal support from professional resources after their victimization. Despite help-seeking being a significant decision, many victims do not seek help following a sexual assault. When they do, informal help-seeking, seeking help from those close to them, tends to be more common, however there is not a clear understanding for why victims prefer to seek help those close to them rather than through formal resources such as law enforcement or medical agencies. In this presentation, I present preliminary results from a structured questionnaire and virtual interviews from a sample of sexual assault survivors to explain the pathways survivors take when seeking both informal and formal assistance, focusing on their support networks, the reactions and support provided by network members, and the impact it has on formal help-seeking. This information will be used to provide insights into how social networks can positively or negatively affect the help-seeking process and influence survivors' behaviors.

Author

• Teairstayn Jones, Arizona State University