STOP! Revictimization - The Perspective of Experience Experts

Previous exposure to a potentially traumatic event such as physical, emotional,
or sexual abuse, and physical or emotional neglect, is associated with an
increased risk of re-experiencing one of these traumatic events in the future,
a phenomenon called revictimization (Fereidooni et al., 2023). Revictimization
can in itself be a traumatic experience and has additionally been associated
with adverse mental health outcomes (Balsam et al., 2011). Most literature has
focused on college women in the community and (sexual) revictimization in
adulthood as a result of childhood maltreatment (Risser et al., 2006; Walker et
al., 2019). Therefore, a majority of the studies on revictimization are
conducted in college or veteran samples, leading to an underrepresentation of
clinical samples. Given the high prevalence of revictimization in people who
experience PTSD symptoms, we will conduct the current study in a sample that
has been/is in treatment at a specialized trauma treatment center. This
approach allows us to explore the rate of revictimization and the factors
associated with it in a high-risk clinical sample.

Therefore, the aim of the current study is to gain insight into the rates of
revictimization in clinical populations, specifically patients at a specialized
trauma treatment facility. Moreover, we are interested in the patients*
perspective on which factors may put them at risk/ protect them from
revictimization so we may co-create targets for an intervention aimed at
decreasing the risk for revictimization after trauma treatment.

To determine the targets for an intervention aimed at reducing revictimization
after trauma-treatment by means of a co-creation session. A secondary objective
is to gain insight into the interpersonal revictimization history of people
currently in treatment in a trauma expertise center .

We will send out questionnaires to all clients who have been in treatment at a
specialized trauma center since october 2022 and invite them to fill out a
questionnaire. A subset of people (who meet de inclusion criteria) will be
invited to participate in focus groups.
At the same time, the therapists at the specialized trauma center will also be
informed of the research and will be asked to approach clients that are
approaching the end of their treatment trajectory and that have a history of
interpersonal (re-)victimization.
Finally, all eligible participants who have indicated that they would like to
participate will be invited for a focus group session that will last 2 a 2.5
hours.

Filling out the questionnaire(s) about a history of childhood maltreatment
and/or interpersonal victimization in adulthood may elicit negative feelings in
the participants. Participating in the focus groups may elicit negative
feelings as well, due to the nature of the events that we will talk about. We
expect these feelings to be transient and not harmful for the participants.