Establishing an Interprofessional Collaboration for PTSD Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Among Victims of Sexual Violence

A vicious cycle of sexual violence is present in the Japanese society. Victims often develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the pathology of which can lead to social maladjustment and recurrent victimization. As many cases are overlooked, the actual number of victims is unknown. With the aim to break the cycle of sexual violence, this project, which began in 2010, has conducted a series of studies. Here, we report on our evaluation and findings. We established NAGOMI, a hospital- and community-based sexual violence one-stop center model. By identifying user characteristics, we were able to understand the impact of this model. Our findings highlighted the severity of PTSD caused by sexual violence, as well as the staggering lack of resources for prevention, treatment, and recovery. This chapter comprises findings from the study, which includes: (a) outreach to victims who have PTSD and are socially maladjusted; (b) establishing a one-stop support center (OSC) and evaluating the impact of the interprofessional support provided; and (c) impact of mid- and long-term follow-up on the prevention and treatment of and recovery from PTSD with the help of a comprehensive and continuous support system immediately or soon after victimization. Knowing how to reach out to all victims of sexual violence and break the intergenerational transmission of PTSD pathology remains a challenge. The MACHICADO-M outreach study revealed that the lack of an acute response to the violence against women and children, especially sexual violence, eventually damaged the health of the participants’ entire families and created a cycle of intergenerational transmission of violence. Trauma-informed care needs to be promoted. NAGOMI, OSC with sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) in place, was effective in responding to the acute phase of sexual violence victimization and is sustainable as a system. However, to ensure mid- to long-term care for victims, an interprofessional collaboration team (IPCT) needs to work. Challenges for the IPCT to function remain. The lack of places and personnel to provide specialized PTSD treatment in the community became tangible. It is necessary to educate the public about the need, develop human resources, and review Japan’s psychiatric care system.