Year: 1993 Source: Annual Meeting of the American Association of Suicidology, (26th: 1993: San Francisco), p.119-121 SIEC No: 19960352

Links between suicide & sexual assault were explored through the collaboration of a suicide prevention center & a rape trauma service. Studies have found suicide ideation is higher in those with a history of sexual abuse. Most survivors of sexual assault have “death thoughts” in which suicide is a reserve fantasy to escape from persistent pain, a way of extinguishing the trauma. One must encourage the expression of a client’s emotions. Finding the root of their trauma is important in treatment.