Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is the attempted or actual exploitation of another person’s sexuality. This type of abuse can occur in any relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. In the most basic of terms, sexual violence is any act of sexual intercourse that is not consented to. This includes trafficking a person or any other acts of sexual violence directed against the victim’s sexuality.

There are many forms of sexual abuse. These can include rape, gang rape, sexual slavery, forced pregnancy and marriage, and sexual torture. These abuses often serve to humiliate the victim and create a lasting psychological scar. Survivors of sexual abuse also experience lifelong stigma and shame. These situations can escalate into a cycle of violence if communities fail to hold perpetrators accountable.

If you have been the victim of sexual violence, you should seek help immediately. The police and legal system will provide support and help if necessary. Sexual assault survivors may experience flashbacks or memories of the attack. They may also feel ashamed of their own actions. A sense of powerlessness can result from the abuse and can contribute to depression.

Many victims report having experienced sexual violence, either as a child or an adult. Many people mistakenly think that sexual violence is limited to physical abuse. However, sexual abuse occurs in all settings and does not have to be limited to a physical attack. For example, a man may abuse a child and a woman in the same relationship.

Research has revealed that a number of factors contribute to the prevalence of sexual violence. For example, individuals are targeted based on their sexual orientation or gender-exhibiting behavior. These attacks are known as “corrective rapes” and are aimed at forcing the victims to conform to societal norms. In addition, asexual individuals are also particularly vulnerable to sexual violence.

People who are victims of sexual violence may experience a range of emotions, depending on their individual situation and the circumstances of their abuse. While everyone is different, sexual violence can affect a person’s physical and emotional wellbeing for a long period of time. To prevent this from happening, victims should seek counseling, medical care, and legal assistance.

Often, sexual violence can be difficult to report because it takes place in private areas, and the victim is not always able to report the incident. Statistics have shown that 95% of sexual assault survivors did not report their abuse to police. This indicates that sexual violence is one of the most unreported crimes in Canada.

Depending on the severity of the abuse, sexual violence may be committed by one person against another, or by both. Sexual assault can involve a number of methods, including rape, masturbation, kissing, and showing pornography.