Objective: To assess disclosure practices of sexual assault survivors of sexual to health care professionals by using retrospective data obtained in 1996 to 1997. A portion of a 37 page survey completed by 87 women who had undergone the forensic "rape kit" exam at Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI or The University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI between 1990 and 1995 was used for this study.

Three questions were investigated: 1. Have the participants disclosed their history of assault to a health professional? 2. If not – What was the reason? 3. Do the participants think it is important for health providers to know their assault?

Method: Participants were recruited between July 1996 and March 1997. A total of 395 women were sent a general information letter. 123 of these were returned unopened (e.g. addressee not identified), 106 women asked for additional information and 88 completed surveys were returned. One participant was excluded due to age (60 years old) as she was the only postmenopausal woman. A total of 87 surveys were used in the data analysis.

Results: 67 (77.0%) women had never been asked by a health care professional (not including mental health) about sexual experiences that were unwanted. Only 15 (17.2%) of the participants said they disclosed their assault/abuse history when not specifically asked by a health professional, 71 (81.6%) did not share this information when not asked.

When asked to identify the reason for not disclosing their history, the most commonly sited answers were: 1. Not asked and too uncomfortable to bring it up 56.3%; 2. None of the health professionals’ business, 50.6% and 3. Did not feel it was related to their health, 42.5%. Twenty-two surveyors (25.3%) did not answer this question.

Thirdly, when asked if they felt health care professionals should ask about unwanted sexual experiences 28.7% (#25) said no, 17.2 % (15) said yes and 50.6% (#44) said that it would depend on the situation. If that health professional was a gynecologic provider the answers changed: 14.9% (#13) said no, 51.7% (#45) said yes and 29.9 % (#26) said it would depend on the situation. One participant did not answer the question.

Conclusions: 1. Most of the women in this study did not share their history of sexual assault with health care providers unless specifically asked. 2.

The most commonly sited reason for non-disclosure was the fact that they were not asked and 3. Many of the participants (51.6%) felt it was important for gynecologic practitioners to inquire about sexual abuse whereas only 17.2% felt this was important for a general health professional.

Future Plans - Dr. Dohm-Palmer will move with her husband and son to Minneapolis, Minnesota to work with a private practice group.