Sex in the consulting room, the examining room, and the sacristy: Survivors of sexual abuse by professionals.

Abstract

The impact on 149 survivors of sexual abuse by medical and mental health professionals and clergy was compared. Loss, emotional turmoil, mistrust, depression, relationship difficulties, and difficult complaint procedures were reported by all three groups, with survivors of abuse by medical health professionals reporting the most pronounced negative effects. Implications for subsequent mental health treatment of survivors from all three abuse groups are explored.