@article{ref1,
title="To add insult to injury: stigmatization reinforces the trauma of rape survivors -  findings from the DR Congo",
journal="SSM - Population Health",
year="2021",
author="Schmitt, Sabine and Robjant, Katy and Elbert, Thomas and Koebach, Anke",
volume="13",
number="",
pages="e100719-e100719",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Survivors of sexual violence are frequently condemned and socially  excluded. Myths about rape may translate into stigmatization, diminish disclosure,  prevent help-seeking from support structures and worsen mental health. Areas of  conflict or organized violence remain the evident hotspots of sexual victimization. However, little is known about prevalence and predictors of rape myths in these  settings or their association with survivors' disclosure, stigmatization and  psychopathology. <br><br>METHOD: Between September 2018 and May 2019, we assessed in a  representative sample of 1066 individuals from six communities in Eastern DRC  traumatic exposure, sexual perpetration, threats to social integrity,  perceived stigmatization (perceived lack of social acknowledgement, shame),  stigmatizing attitudes towards survivors (negative attitudes and willingness to  provide support, rape myths acceptance), and mental illness (PTSD, depression). <br><br>RESULTS: Survivors of sexual violence (33%, n = 184 of women, 16%, n = 84 of men)  reported more traumatic exposure, threats to social integrity, shame, perceived lack  of social acknowledgement, PTSD symptoms and depression. Their social environment  affirmed various stigmatizing attitudes (5-89% affirmations). Beliefs in rape myths  were predicted by its average acceptance in the community, education, and witness of  others' sexual victimization. The rates of cases whose history of sexual  victimization was socially disclosed were higher in communities and among survivors  with low rape myths acceptance and disclosure showed associations with  perceived stigmatization. Rape myths acceptance among individuals without a history  of sexual victimization was associated with survivors' recently experienced threats  to social integrity which predicted their stigma perceptions and mental illness. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Rape myths acceptance in the community is associated with stigma and  trauma-related mental illness of sexual violence survivors. This adds up to the  psychic burden of trauma.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2352-8273",
doi="10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100719",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100719"
}