Sexual Trauma Response Needs within MSW Program Curriculum and Continuing Education Training

Overview: This presentation addresses the need for MSW program curriculum and continuing education to better prepare early-career MSW professionals to respond to sexual trauma. Presenters will explore assessment and disclosures experiences of MSW professionals treating sexual trauma and recommendations to incorporate sexual trauma response into social work education and training programs.Proposal text: Clinical social workers are the largest group of mental health professionals providing services in our communities (NASW, 2021), and have one of the highest contact rates with clients who have experienced sexual trauma compared to other helping professions (Danis, 2004; Oak, et al., 2020). It is estimated that 1 in 3 cisgender women and 1 and 6 cisgender men in the United States will experience sexual trauma during their lifetime (Smith, et al., 2017). Furthermore, 47% of all transgender and non-binary individuals will have at least one sexual trauma experience (James, et al., 2016). Given the pervasiveness of sexual trauma in our society, it is imperative that clinical social workers are appropriately trained to assess for and respond to disclosures of sexual trauma through MSW academic preparation and continuing education training.
Despite the prevalence of sexual trauma and social workers key role in working with sexual trauma victims, the 2015 Education Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) developed by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), does not require any sexual trauma education within graduate-level social work programs (Council on Social Work Education, 2015). Additionally, there are no current practice standards or guidelines set by the National Association of Social Work (NASW) to measure appropriate service provision for clients who have experienced sexual trauma (Black, et al., 2010). Many sexual trauma victims note avoiding mental health services because they feel the services will not be helpful (Anderson & Overby, 2020; Holland & Cortina, 2017), or even potentially harmful (Patterson, et al., 2009, Filipas & Ullman, 2001).
Research has also demonstrated that social workers admit feeling underprepared to address sexual trauma. One study found that only 17% of MSW students could identify sexual trauma and other gender-based violence interventions, and 32% held attitudes that blamed the victim (Black, et al., 2010). Many licensed mental health professionals also report that they feel other professionals are engaging in harmful practices when responding to sexual trauma (Newins & Wilson, 2021). Negative experiences with a formal source of support like a clinical social worker often impacts whether a sexual trauma victim will tell others or seek other services for help in the future (Ahrens, 2006). One study also demonstrates that these negative experiences can result in an increase of negative mental health outcomes for the sexual trauma victim (Orchowski, et al., 2013).
The mix-methods study presented will explore how early-career clinical social workers can better address the needs of sexual trauma victims by examining the educational and training needs related to sexual trauma disclosures and assessments. Findings on the educational and clinical training preparation available to early-career MSW professionals will be examined and as well as the perceptions of early-career MSW professionals on how to provide appropriate care for clients. Recommendations for how current MSW program curriculum and continuing education can better incorporate sexual trauma response into coursework and training materials will be provided.