ABSTRACT
The lack of adequate research data, combined with numerous biases and mythologies held by both the public and by professionals, has obscured our understanding of sexuality in the lives of people with severe and persistent mental illnesses (Spmi). This chapter will attempt to shed light on a particular area of past ignorance: the impact of sexual trauma and violent victimization on the lives of women with Spmi. Sexual abuse has a very high prevalence in this group, and is associated with changes in sexual behavior, psychopathology and other risky and self-harming behaviors.
