For sexual crime victims, TSA pat-downs can be 're-traumatizing'

[Ban Hammer 13,343]

As the outcry grows against the new security screenings at US airports, one population may face a special burden at TSA checkpoints: victims of rape or sexual assault who are now confronted with a procedure that they feel explicitly strips them of control over their bodies.

The experience “can be extremely re-traumatizing to someone who has already experienced an invasion of their privacy and their body,” says Amy Menna, a counselor and professor at the University of South Florida who has a decade’s experience researching and treating rape survivors.

Nationwide, an estimated 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have been the victim of an attempted or completed rape, according to a consensus of figures compiled by the Department of Justice, FBI, and Centers for Disease control. About a quarter of a million people each year report a sexual assault.

Dr. Menna recommends that people know their rights so that they can avoid the sense of powerlessness when going through a security check.

When Menna undertook her own Thanksgiving travel, she, like 98 percent of travelers, opted for the digital scanner, preferring the X-ray search to a physical one. She discovered, however, that her back brace makes her ineligible for the scanning machine, and therefore received the “enhanced” pat-down. The procedure, new as of Nov. 1, takes about 4 minutes and requires forceful contact with every portion of the body.

While most passengers report no problems with the scans, the pat-downs have received thousands of complaints. Even John Pistole, the TSA administrator, acknowledged in last week’s Senate hearings that when he received one, he found it “more invasive than I’m used to.”

“Any type of violation of physical boundaries can set back a rape survivor in their treatment, in their therapy, in their recovery,” says Menna.

“There’s a lack of sensitivity to individuals’ emotional states when undergoing this public violation,” she adds, citing the dismissive brusqueness of the procedure.

Many passengers don't know – and aren’t informed – ­that they have the right to a private screening, or to have another person present at that private screening.

“Know your rights,” Menna says, “and make sure they are not violated.”

There’s a detailed list of passenger rights during screenings available here, and Firedoglake.com has put together information – including a printable summary of your rights – here. “We wanted something people could download and bring to the airport, so they could look and see what their rights are,” says Jennifer Hamsher, creator of the website.

“I would recommend survivors request a private screening with at least two people present,” says Menna. “It can be empowering to ask for your needs to be met, and to ask for your privacy to be respected. It allows you to establish a measure of control over the situation."

“It’s about self-care: get there early enough to take care of yourself, so if a screening process takes longer, you’re not under the pressure – the duress – of having a plane to catch,” she advises.

Menna also recommends appealing to the compassion of the TSA agent performing the search. “Let them know you have a history of trauma, and ask them to be sensitive to the nature of the invasive procedure. You don’t need to say, ‘Oh, I was raped’ – you should say only as much as you want to say – but let them know you have a history of violation, and ask them to be sensitive to that.”

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, advises survivors who need help or support to access the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE or access the online hotline at online.rainn.org.

Menna asks, "Is there an alternate solution to an invasive procedure that can be re-traumatizing?"

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[Obama 2012 1,714]

Nazis don't give a damn about victims. They'd rather create more victims.

[Danno 1,228]

One would expect an even more intrusive visit to the Gynecologist would be a problem as well.

[Sgt. McGee 27]

One would expect an even more intrusive visit to the Gynecologist would be a problem as well.

Good point. Those are EXACTLY the same scenario.

TSA = Random person with force of law behind them touching where they wish

OB/GYN = carefully chosen medical doctor with potential for lawsuits, etc, conducting a voluntary medical examination

Yep. Good parallel.

Edited November 29, 2010 by Sgt. McGee

[Canadiandggal 49]

One would expect an even more intrusive visit to the Gynecologist would be a problem as well.

hmmm once again... seeing a GYN Doctor is something we volunteer to do because it is medically needed...for cancer, stds,tumors,general health... Now if you tell me that a TSA agent can do all that for My HEALTH and I will submit myself to a pat down. I do not like the GYN at all but IT IS NEEDED not some random person who only has to have a high school diploma touching me in place where the sun doesn't shine.Believe me It is hard to see a doctor and let someone touch you but common TSA just doesn;t seem right to me.

Edited November 29, 2010 by Canadiandggal

[Danno 1,228]

Good point. Those are EXACTLY the same scenario.

TSA = Random person with force of law behind them touching where they wish

OB/GYN = carefully chosen medical doctor with potential for lawsuits, etc, conducting a voluntary medical examination

Yep. Good parallel.

Ahhh,,, who said it was a "parallel"?

Who said it was an "exact scenario"?

[The_Dude 1,142]

Ahhh,,, who said it was a "parallel"?

Who said it was an "exact scenario"?

You're the one who made the analogy, so to answer your first question, YOU.

[Captain Oates 911]

hmmm once again... seeing a GYN Doctor is something we volunteer to do because it is medically needed...for cancer, stds,tumors,general health... Now if you tell me that a TSA agent can do all that for My HEALTH and I will submit myself to a pat down. I do not like the GYN at all but IT IS NEEDED not some random person who only has to have a high school diploma touching me in place where the sun doesn't shine.Believe me It is hard to see a doctor and let someone touch you but common TSA just doesn;t seem right to me.

We need a thread on whether a Gyno exam is worse than a prostate exam

I reckon we should read about what the hundreds of victims of panam 103 went through when they were hurled out into the midnight air at 36,000 feet over the Scottish Borders. It puts a transitory twiddle into perspective..

My wife totally disagrees with me but she has never seen a human body that has died through extreme violence so she is forming her views without that persective.

It's not even as bad as the choice between an injection needle and catching tetanus. Everybody has bits and bobs and ours aren't so special - well mine are but I don't brag

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

A pat down triggers past sexual assault trauma? I don't buy it. If you were disturbed by a pat down, i'd say you'd have bigger issues just being able to function on a daily basis.

Do tsa actually touch people's genitals now? That seems a bit beyond the job description.

[^_^ 5,021]

A pat down triggers past sexual assault trauma? I don't buy it. If you were disturbed by a pat down, i'd say you'd have bigger issues just being able to function on a daily basis.

Do tsa actually touch people's genitals now? That seems a bit beyond the job description.

for a very small number of passengers, they pat them from outside their clothing. new job description.

[zqt3344 21]

how would you know, you fly recently?

for a very small number of passengers, they pat them from outside their clothing. new job description.

[SuperDuper! 230]

A pat down triggers past sexual assault trauma? I don't buy it. If you were disturbed by a pat down, i'd say you'd have bigger issues just being able to function on a daily basis.

Do tsa actually touch people's genitals now? That seems a bit beyond the job description.

The correct term is now referred to as "Junk". Thought you knew!

Class Dismissed!

[Captain Oates 911]

The next attempt will be by false ears made of plastic explosive

Be prepared to have your lug holes tugged

Presumably a butch looking lady could have a todger made of le plastique - are the TSA trained to tell the difference ?

If I can sit here with my bagel and coffee and dream up a million ways to do it, you can be sure some imaginative kid can...

[Obama 2012 1,714]

A pat down triggers past sexual assault trauma? I don't buy it. If you were disturbed by a pat down, i'd say you'd have bigger issues just being able to function on a daily basis.

Do tsa actually touch people's genitals now? That seems a bit beyond the job description.

Where have you been the past couple of weeks?

[Captain Oates 911]

Do tsa actually touch people's genitals now? That seems a bit beyond the job description.

Not only that but they blast air at minus 75 degrees F up your trouser leg to see if the dimensions change indicating they are real

Frost bite is a real danger