Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence

Part of being a good PA is recognizing that our patients come from different walks of life and

each person’s story is different. Being aware of your body language and the words that you are

using is so important. I did not realize that things that seem small can cause a huge impact on

patients. Small things like warning the patient before you touch them or before you perform a

procedure or touch them is important. It is so important for the patient to feel safe around you.

If they do not feel safe, they will not open up to you and tell you the truth. A lot of times,

patients hide information in order to protect themselves in fear of being judged or

misunderstood. Acting in a negative or judgmental way can cause the patient to shut down, and

they may not share information that will help you treat them. Personally, I have been told that I

do not conceal my facial expressions when reacting to a situation. Whether I am embarrassed,

feel shy, sad, confused or uncomfortable, my face will tell you what I am feeling. Some of my

patients would tell me sad stories about their lives and then go ahead and say “don’t be sad,

I’m alright.” So, in situations like those, I was empathetic. It is important to react to your

patient’s emotions, however, when it comes to things as sensitive as sexual assault, it is better

to keep a neutral tone and neutral facial expressions while still being empathetic. When

learning about pelvic exams in my History and Physical taking class, I learned the importance of

being transparent with patients and involving them in the exam by encouraging them to ask

questions. It is also essential to observe for reflags and if any are noted, ask about what

happened. This patient could have gone through something so traumatic and it is wise to assess

both genders. Hearing about a person’s experience also teaches you a lot. The trust project

taught me so much and will make me better at recognizing sexual assault and abuse.