reproductive health services for adolescents - Pathfinder International

Module 16/Unit 11
Specific objective #3: Demonstrate how to screen for sexual abuse
CONTENT
Knowledge/Attitudes/Skills
BARRIERS TO SCREENING FOR
SEXUAL ABUSE
Addressing sexual abuse in clinics can
seem overwhelming to providers. The
following are barriers that providers may
express concern about:
• Time constraints.
• Lack of training about the issue.
• Feeling there is nothing they can do
to help.
• The clinic is not the place to address
sexual abuse.
• More important health issues to be
addressed.
• Women’s reluctance to talk about
their experiences.
• Belief that sexual abuse is a private
or shameful issue.
• Belief that sexual abuse does not
occur with their patients.
• Belief that sexual abuse is so
prevalent that it is seen as a normal
part of life.
• There are no services for survivors of
sexual abuse, so they should not
bother to screen for sexual abuse.
However, these barriers are not
insurmountable.
Already RH/FP clinics are seeing
survivors of sexual violence. Staff
members already discuss sensitive and
Training/Learning Methods
(Time Required)
BRAINSTORMING (20 MIN.)
The trainer should:
• Write each barrier on a slip of paper
or photocopy Trainer's Tool 11.3A:
List of Barriers to Screening and cut
so that each barrier is a slip of paper.
11.3A
• Explain that addressing sexual abuse
in clinics can seem overwhelming to
providers.
• Ask Px to draw a slip of paper out of
a hat or bowl. There will probably not
be enough barriers for every Px, so
pair some Px together.
Ask Px, how would you respond to
this barrier (For example: time
constraints—RH clinics are already
seeing survivors of sexual abuse and
dealing with the sexual abuse may
prevent RH problems in the future.)
• Allow 5 minutes for discussion.
• Ask each Px to read her/his barrier
and response.
• Supplement answers using Trainer's
Tool 11.3B.
11.3B
Ask Px, can you think of other barriers
to screening for sexual abuse
• Emphasize that these barriers are not
insurmountable.
Pathfinder International
147
Adolescent Curriculum