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A Sanctuary for Change |
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Germayne Boswell Tizzano, Ph.D. Introduction  The significance of trauma on women’s sexual health, body image, and health care seeking behavior cannot be ignored. Women with histories of abuse are far more likely to engage in unsafe sex practices, have multiple sex partners, exchange sex for money or drugs, and be addicted to alcohol and other drugs (Denenberg, 1997). Research confirms a strong association between high-risk behaviors for HIV and histories of childhood sexual assault and substance abuse (e.g., Miller, et. al., 1999; Tubman, et. al., 2001; Cohen, et. al., 2000; Schreck, 2001). In addition, women’s fear of violence impacts their capacity to protect themselves sexually and violence is emerging as a major risk factor for mortality in HIV positive women (Denenberg, 1997). Women are known to be beaten, abandoned or murdered by partners for revealing HIV-positive status (Lester, 1995).
“A Sanctuary for Change is a training program designed to provide women with histories of trauma and alcohol and drug abuse with tools and knowledge to reduce risks associated with HIV/STI transmission.” In the United States, the HIV/AIDS epidemic for women is a known health threat, particularly among women of color and young women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004). In 2003, 20% of the total AIDS diagnoses were women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004). In the years of 1999 through 2003, yearly estimates of AIDS diagnosis increased 15% among women and 1% among men. Of the U.S. cases of women infected with HIV, 80% were through heterosexual contact (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004). In addition to HIV transmission, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are far more likely to occur in women than men and result in more severe consequences and complications (American Social Health Association, n.d.). With more than 8 billion dollars spent yearly to diagnose and treat STIs, (not including HIV diagnosis and treatment), the value of psycho-educational efforts aimed at reducing HIV/STI transmission cannot be overstated.
Program Overview
The program was piloted at Amethyst, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio. Amethyst provides long-term alcohol, drug addiction and trauma treatment and therapeutic services, along with supportive housing for women and their children. The Columbus Health Department and Columbus Medical Association Foundation, Columbus, Ohio funded this program. Email to a Friend: |
Target Population: Women served by the alcohol and drug agency, Amethyst, and at risk for HIV/STIs All of the women participating in this pilot study were drug and/or alcohol dependent, have struggled with chronic substance abuse and relapse issues, and have experienced physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse. All of the women were homeless. Co-morbidities were common with 85% of women having a mental health diagnosis. The majority (70%) has been involved with the criminal justice system, and a significant proportion had a history of prostitution. The age range was 18 to 60 years of age and 70% had dependent children or are pregnant at the time of receiving services. Nearly half of participants were white, 50% were African American, and 2% were Hispanic.
Evaluation of the Process Preliminary feedback on the curriculum is encouraging. At the completion of the course, participants were asked to rate themselves on how they felt about practicing safe sex in the future. All of the respondents reported being highly committed to practicing safe sex. Women identified the following components of the curriculum as the most important piece of information that they would put into practice:
Other comments included:
Qualitative feedback for the evaluation of the design and implementation of the course was obtained through discussion with clinicians who worked directly with the clients who attended the class, participants, agency administrators and the instructors. Clinicians noted that it is challenging to discuss sexuality in a group and that each participant’s comfort level with the information varied overall and among topics. Participants’ comfort with the curriculum varied considerably by race, age, religious beliefs, structure/norms from family of origin, history of sexual abuse, history of prostitution, understanding of own body and sexuality, and sexual identity. Participants identified teambuilding as a critical step to establishing trust within the group. The general consensus among participants and staff was that discussing sexual health is provocative but necessary. It was generally agreed that it is better for emotions and confusion to be stirred up in a safe, supportive environment where women have an opportunity to process the experience and frame it in a learning context than in another setting. This safety and openness may be the key to eventual behavioral changes for the participants. Retrieved March 23, 2006 from http://www.ashastd.org/involve/involve_adv_wompos.cfm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004). HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2003 (Vol. 15). Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cohen, M., Deamant, M., Barkan, C., & Richardson, S. (2000). Domestic Violence and Childhood Sexual Abuse in HIV-Infected Women and Women at Risk for HIV. American Journal of Public Health, 90(4), 560-566. Denenberg, R. (1997, July/August). Childhood Sexual Abuse as an HIV Risk Factor in Women. The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource. Retrieved March 23, 2006 from Lester, P., Partridge, J. & Chesney, M. (1995). The Consequences of Positive Prenatal HIV Antibody Test for Women. Journal of AIDS and Human Retrovirology, 10(3), 341-9. Miller, M. (1999). A Model to Explain the Relationship Between Sexual Abuse and HIV Risk Among Women. AIDS Care, 11(1), 3-21. Schreck, L. (2001). A History of Sexual Abuse Elevates the Massachusetts Teenagers’ Risk of Engaging in Unsafe Sexual Practices. Family Planning Perspectives, 33(1), 44. Tubman, J., Langer, L., & Calderon, D. (2001). Coerced Sexual Experiences Among Adolescent Substance Abusers: A Potential Pathway to Increased Vulnerability to HIV Exposure. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 18(4), 281-304. |
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ISSN 1556-4827 |