Study: Long-term health repercussions higher in women who survive sexual assaults

Sexual harassment, assault and misconduct have lasting health repercussions on women, according to a new study.

The findings, published by Jama Internal Medicine Wednesday, come just a week after powerful testimony of alleged sexual assault as told by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford about Supreme Court Justice nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Sexual assault survivors are said to have a higher likelihood of dealing with anxiety, depression and poor sleep, the study said. A history of workplace sexual harassment was also associated with poor sleep and with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure.

“These are experiences that [a woman] could have had long ago … and it can have this long arm of influence throughout a woman’s life,” said Rebecca Thurston, the lead author of the study and a research psychologist and director of the Women’s Behavioral Health Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh.

In this era of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements helping in the downfall of leaders in Hollywood, Washington and media – accused of everything from inappropriate behavior, to rape – as well as continuous protests and rallies nationwide, this study comes during a time of change.

The study said, in total, survivors of sexual assault were three times more likely to be depressed than women without the experience.

With these results, sexual assault survivors are put at a higher risk of stroke, aneurysms and kidney disease.

The study surveyed roughly 300 women between the ages of 40 and 60 who had been recruited for research on menopause and cardiovascular disease — not sexual harassment or assault. They all had their blood pressure, height and weight checked.

In addition, the survey asked the women if they ever experienced sexual harassment at work or had ever “been made or pressured into having some type of unwanted sexual contact.”

Researchers of the study reiterate that these results show a critical need to reduce the rate of sexual assault to protect women’s health.