Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often thought of as a condition primarily affecting veterans. Yet 50% of all cases of PTSD in the U.S. result from sexual or physical violence, according to Karestan Koenen.
Koenen, professor of psychiatric epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, spoke about PTSD’s effects on sexual assault survivors in an April 28, 2020 article on Medium.com.
The article noted that PTSD occurs in roughly 94% of U.S. women who have been sexually assaulted. Koenen said that maintaining relationships and having a strong support system may help a survivor of sexual violence avoid experiencing chronic PTSD.
Read the Medium article: Sexual Assault is Only Half the Battle