Marginalization of Sexually Assaulted Women
Chamberlain University
NR602: Primary Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family
June 2019
Marginalization of Sexually Assaulted Women
, Sexual assault is a prevalent public health issue in America, which impacts the lives of
millions of American women every year. Sexual assault is defined as a violent, aggressive crime
that includes a variety of sexual acts involving sexual pressure, sexual contact, and rape (ACOG,
2019). Marginalized groups such as females are at highest risk for sexual assault, and roughly
every ninety-eight seconds, a female in America is sexually assaulted (Hollier, 2018). There are
some groups of women that are more susceptible to sexual assault, such as adolescents,
minorities, and veterans; thus, potentially leading to the various undesirable physical and mental
health effects as a result of sexual assault (ACOG, 2019). The intention of this paper is to
comprehensively discuss the marginalization of sexually assaulted women. The role of nurse
practitioners and other health care providers is essential in order to effectively assess and manage
this group of marginalized women. The following literature will deliver background and
statistical information; identify and discuss the economic impact, health care inequalities, and
ethical dilemmas pertaining to women with previous sexual assault; and provide an overview of
an action plan to be utilized within the health care setting.
Background and Significance
The effects of sexual assault can negatively impact woman’s physical and mental health
on a longstanding basis. Some of the negative health outcomes of sexual assault include: anxiety
and depressive disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol and illicit drug abuse, sexually
transmitted diseases, pregnancy associated with rape, and other issues related to pain and debility
(Curry, 2018). In the United States, sexual assault negatively impacts the health and well-being
of roughly 1.5 million women yearly (ACOG, 2019; Smith et al., 2018). According to the
National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) of 2015, roughly 52 million
(44%) American women have been sexually assaulted either by rape, sexual pressure, and/or
Chamberlain University
NR602: Primary Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family
June 2019
Marginalization of Sexually Assaulted Women
, Sexual assault is a prevalent public health issue in America, which impacts the lives of
millions of American women every year. Sexual assault is defined as a violent, aggressive crime
that includes a variety of sexual acts involving sexual pressure, sexual contact, and rape (ACOG,
2019). Marginalized groups such as females are at highest risk for sexual assault, and roughly
every ninety-eight seconds, a female in America is sexually assaulted (Hollier, 2018). There are
some groups of women that are more susceptible to sexual assault, such as adolescents,
minorities, and veterans; thus, potentially leading to the various undesirable physical and mental
health effects as a result of sexual assault (ACOG, 2019). The intention of this paper is to
comprehensively discuss the marginalization of sexually assaulted women. The role of nurse
practitioners and other health care providers is essential in order to effectively assess and manage
this group of marginalized women. The following literature will deliver background and
statistical information; identify and discuss the economic impact, health care inequalities, and
ethical dilemmas pertaining to women with previous sexual assault; and provide an overview of
an action plan to be utilized within the health care setting.
Background and Significance
The effects of sexual assault can negatively impact woman’s physical and mental health
on a longstanding basis. Some of the negative health outcomes of sexual assault include: anxiety
and depressive disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol and illicit drug abuse, sexually
transmitted diseases, pregnancy associated with rape, and other issues related to pain and debility
(Curry, 2018). In the United States, sexual assault negatively impacts the health and well-being
of roughly 1.5 million women yearly (ACOG, 2019; Smith et al., 2018). According to the
National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) of 2015, roughly 52 million
(44%) American women have been sexually assaulted either by rape, sexual pressure, and/or
