Interactions with Offenders Post-Assault and Their Impacts on Recovery: A Qualitative Study of Sexual Assault Survivors and Support Providers

It is well established in the literature that the majority of sexual assault offenders are known to their victims. Given this reality, survivors of sexual assault and their support providers (SP; e.g., family, friends, romantic partners) may interact with the offenders post-assault within various contexts including social, community, and familial settings, though little research exists that explores this possibility. This study begins to address this gap through interviews with survivors and their SPs about disclosure, recovery, and help-seeking following interactions with their offender post-assault. Twenty-eight survivors mentioned interactions or appraisals of the offender, as did twelve SPs. Qualitative analysis revealed several themes including: a) various outcomes of interactions with the offender post-assault, b) emotions felt toward offender, c) gaining of perspective and/or forgiveness, d) interactions with the offender as a catalyst for disclosure, and e) importance of the offender's actual or perceived death. Results show some anecdotal support for restorative justice practices with sexual assault victims in the criminal-legal system. Clinical implications include treatment plans for survivors to prepare for the possibility of seeing their offenders post-assault.