What is an empowerment approach to working with sexual assault survivors?

✍ Scribed by Sarah E. Ullman; Stephanie M. Townsend

• Book ID: 102311053
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 143 KB
• Volume: 36
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0090-4392
• DOI: 10.1002/jcop.20198

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

This exploratory study sought to better understand what constitutes the empowerment approach used by rape crisis advocates working with sexual assault survivors. A grounded theory, qualitative, semistructured interview study was conducted of rape victim advocates (N=25) working in rape crisis centers in a large metropolitan area. Several characteristics were described as reflecting an empowerment orientation or approach to work with survivors, some of which were specifically described as a “feminist” empowerment approach. Implications for research and practice are drawn. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.