Mental Health and Sexual Violence
Sexual violence is a serious social problem that can have a lasting effect on a person’s mental health. It can be a traumatic experience and is often associated with feelings of shame, guilt, fear and depression.
People can also have a lot of difficulty expressing their feelings about the assault and they may feel that they are being judged by others. This is why it is important to talk to someone, like a friend or a counsellor, about what has happened.
Survivors of sexual assault can have many different reactions to it and some of these reactions are more common than others. It is important for a person to get the help they need in order to recover from the assault.
Physical reaction: This can include a fear of going back to the place where it happened, or feeling unable to move around in public places. It can also include changes in how the body feels or even a change in sexual desire. It can also cause feelings of nausea or vomiting.
Emotional reaction: This can include anxiety, anger and fear of being a victim. It can also include a loss of self-confidence and a sense of failure. It can also cause changes in the way a person interacts with others.
Behavioral theory: It is believed that sexually abusive behaviors are learned by a person who has a deviant sexual arousal that they have to overcome in order to engage in the behaviour. They are not born with a genetic predisposition to these behaviors, but they may have a strong need for power and control that can lead them to become a perpetrator of sexual violence.
Bystander Intervention: Identifying and addressing harmful behaviours is an important part of preventing sexual violence. It can involve identifying the perpetrator and offering support or a distraction, or it can involve confronting the perpetrator directly and empowering them to leave the situation.
Reporting: If you suspect you have been a victim of sexual violence, it is very important to report the incident to the police as soon as possible. This is to ensure you get the help you need and reduce your stress and anxiety at a time when you may be most vulnerable.
The police will take a detailed account of the incident and try to identify any witnesses or accomplices. You may also need to provide proof that you were at the scene of the crime.
Repression: The perpetrator of sexual violence may have a lot of power over the victim and he can control how they react to the assault. He can also make them feel as if they are the ones who are to blame for the assault.
In some cases, the perpetrator may use drugs to incapacitate their victim. This can make them more easily controlled and it is possible for the perpetrator to force their victim into giving sex without consent.
Coercion: Rapists can control their victims through intimidation, blackmail and threats of physical harm. They may also threaten to break up with the victim if they refuse to give sex.