Sexual Assault Survivors and Information: Needs and Recommendations

Auteurs-es

  • Stephanie Brown University of Alberta

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.29173/pathfinder54

Mots-clés :

sexual assault survivors, information needs, information seeking, information barriers, library services, trauma, trauma-informed librarianship

Résumé

This paper examines the information needs of sexual assault survivors, with a focus on the kinds of information these individuals may be seeking and how libraries can best assist survivors with their information needs. The paper begins with an overview of sexual assault as a pervasive problem in society in order to form a basis of understanding of what a sexual assault survivor may be going through and the kinds of barriers that may affect their information seeking. The information needs of sexual assault survivors are complex because of their experiences of violence and trauma, and these factors often result in mental and physical health challenges, and potentially distressing information seeking experiences. In order to best serve sexual assault survivors in libraries, I recommend a trauma-informed approach to librarianship, which underscores the importance of safety, empathy, and empowerment for the survivor. A trauma-informed approach to librarianship can assist sexual assault survivors in remedying potential distress through forming trust, validating their experiences and identity, valuing their voice, and ultimately, supporting their healing.

Téléchargements

Publié-e

2022-05-09

Comment citer

Brown, S. (2022). Sexual Assault Survivors and Information: Needs and Recommendations. Pathfinder: A Canadian Journal for Information Science Students and Early Career Professionals, 3(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.29173/pathfinder54

Numéro

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2022): Regular Issue

Rubrique

Scholarly Articles

Licence

© Stephanie Brown 2022

Licence Creative Commons

Cette œuvre est sous licence Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.

Authors retain all copyright for their work published by Pathfinder. The specific copyright information for each work is included with the work itself. Pathfinder retains the right of first publication. Use and reproduction rights of any articles or abstracts on the Pathfinder website are granted for individual, non-commercial, and educational purposes only, and for electronic materials if properly cited. Otherwise, permission must be obtained from Pathfinder or the authors.

Our full copyright terms can be found in Section 4 of our Author's Agreement.

All other materials are covered by a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).