Assignment task:
The case of Jeannette, who survived a rape only to find out that she was subsequently infected with HIV requires a social worker to employ multiple elements of care with a gender-sensitive approach. Statistics show that women confront different and unique challenges compared to men, and an awareness of this can make the interaction between a social worker and a female client more meaningful and effective (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018). Considering certain issues as unique to women, either in their rates of incidence or severity, can build a foundation for the push for acknowledgment that women deal with issues that should optimally be customized for their gender (Charter, 2021; Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018).
First, statistics show that women are much more likely to experience sexual assault than men, and subsequently employing a feminist approach when dealing with a client like Jeannette would be appropriate (Charter, 2021). According to McQueen et al. (2021), revictimization by law enforcement viewing women's claims of sexual assault can have a traumatizing impact on a survivor, and this should be assessed for when working with Jeannette. Consequences can include turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drugs, and although not listed, this should be investigated in a case like Jeannette's (McQueen et al., 2021). Jeannette is now dealing with a life-threatening disease because of the rape and an important part of her treatment should be identifying and addressing ancillary stress-inducing factors like this that can cause further damage (McQueen et al., 2021).
Although the rape happened several months ago, Jeannette may still be dealing with her feelings regarding her response during the event. She may feel that she did not "fight back", and a social worker should be aware of the concurrent feelings of shame or guilt that can result (Stirling & Andrews, 20210. In some cases, some rape survivors experience a phenomenon of tonic immobility during an attack, and this renders them unable to physically move or scream (Stirling & Andrews, 2021). If this was the case for Jeannette, explaining that this "freeze" was her body's involuntary response to overwhelming fear can help her better understand her reaction and reassure her that it was not her fault (Stirling & Andrews, 2021).
Studies show that although the rates of infection of HIV for women have decreased overall when they are infected, they have a lower incidence of viral suppression than men and an even lower rate for Jeannette's age cohort (Adimora et al., 2021). Women have less access to healthcare and therefore less access to lifesaving treatments surrounding an HIV diagnosis due in part to barriers such as poverty or inequity (Adimora et al., 2021). An essential strategy for Jeannette would be to advocate for her access to healthcare, as well as resources for housing and any available groups for support for women with HIV to combat the significant risk of depression and inherent social stigma that can be an unfortunate result for these women (Adimora et al., 2021).
Recommend an alternate practice option or strategy to employ with this client.