Women’s post-rape experiences with Guatemalan health services

Abstract

We conducted a qualitative study to examine the critical pathways of 23 women survivors of sexual assault who navigated health care-based services in six states in Guatemala. We also captured the components of quality health care that were important to them, including the experience of the waiting room, being able to make active decisions, providing informed consent, and receiving emotional support. Our results from the in-depth, semi-structured interviews indicate the importance of creating and strengthening mechanisms for social support and trauma-informed, competent, and sensitive health services to accompany women as they move toward rebuilding their lives post-sexual violence.

Notes

1 Ley para prevenir, sancionar y erradicar la violencia familiar (Dto. No. 97-1996, 28 noviembre 1996); Ley contra el femicidio y otras formas de violencia conta la mujer (9 Abril 2008); Ley contra la violencia sexual, explotacion y trata de personas (Decreto no. 9-2009).

2 Protocolo de Atención a Víctimas/Sobrevivientes de Violencia Sexual, 2015 https://www.scribd.com/document/299687138/Protocolo-de-Violencia-Sexual-2015 and Protocolo de Atención a Víctimas de Violencia Intrafamiliar, Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Programa Nacional de Salud Mental. 2010 (2nd printing) www.mdgfund.org/sites/default/files/CPPB_GUIA_Guate_Atencion%20a%20victimas%20de%20violencia%20intrafamiliar.pdf.

3 See http://www.endvawnow.org/.