Post-traumatic Mental Health: Operational Strategies for Supporting Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Assault

Abstract

This policy document was developed based on the findings of an educational intervention based on social cognitive theory, with the aim of formulating policy options for providing health services related to reducing psychological trauma and improving mental health indicators of women who have been sexually assaulted. The study was a randomized clinical trial and was conducted on 40 people who visited forensic medicine and welfare centers, who were divided into two intervention groups (6-session training) and control. The findings showed that the educational intervention led to a significant reduction in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scores, increased self-efficacy, improved perceived social support, and promoted health-related behaviors in the intervention group. The results indicate that integrating educational interventions into the health service system can be an effective strategy for supporting victims. Integrated psychosocial support and socio-economic empowerment are also suggested as the next priorities, respectively. The success of these programs requires the cooperation of relevant institutions, the allocation of sufficient resources, and the active participation of stakeholders. This document emphasizes the need for policymakers to pay attention to the design and implementation of structured programs to improve the mental health of female survivors of sexual assault and recommends that policymakers prioritize specialized training for staff, strengthen support networks, and implement community sensitization programs to pave the way for sustainable improvement in the mental health of this vulnerable group. © 2025 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.