Healing the Ripple Effect of Sexual Violence

Despite prevention efforts, young women, particularly college students, experience sexual victimization at alarming rates, and do not always receive trauma-responsive treatment to address the devastating acute and long-lasting post-assault symptoms. Grounded in theory and research on trauma and sexual violence, the authors introduce a new conceptual framework and corresponding therapeutic and psychoeducational resource -- "The Ripple Effect of Sexual Violence Wheels" -- that synthesize these common post-assault consequences and offer strategies that promote recovery and healing for victims and survivors. Instructions for how to use these tools in clinical and advocacy positions at universities and other applied settings, as well as how to use the wheels as self-guided resources are described. Limitations and future directions are discussed.