Sexual Violence – A Complex Issue That Can Be Difficult to Understand and Prevent

Sexual violence is an assault on the body and a violation of human dignity. It is a human rights violation that affects individuals, families and communities regardless of age, gender identity or religion. It is very often committed by someone the victim knows. It is rarely the result of passion and is most often motivated by power and control. Sexual violence impacts everyone in a community and the society at large, including business, schools and the local economy. It also destroys the sense of safety and trust that people long for in their communities. There are many direct and indirect costs to communities such as medical bills, legal fees, crisis services and the lost contributions of those who have experienced sexual violence.

Sexual assault is a complex issue that can be difficult to understand and prevent. It is important to recognize that all victims of sexual violence are different and have unique experiences. Survivors have a wide range of responses to sexual violence from calmness to hysteria and everything in between. Survivors need support in learning to set boundaries and finding their strength to stand up for themselves.

There are a variety of risk factors that can lead to sexual violence including childhood physical and emotional abuse, negative socialization, alcohol and drug use, and impulsivity and interpersonal manipulation. Traumatic events in adolescence can also lead to increased vulnerability to sexual violence as a result of their influence on developing psychopathic traits such as callousness, narcissism and lack of concern for others’ feelings (Romano & De Luca 2001).

All of these factors interact with one another. It is very common for perpetrators to use multiple tactics such as bullying, teasing and verbal abuse to get their victims to consent to sexual activity. Sexual violence is a crime of power and control, and it often occurs in the context of a relationship. It is also very common for a survivor to be assaulted by someone they know. This can include a friend, relative, coworker or acquaintance. It is very common for someone to be orgassed during sexual violence, but this does not mean that the assault was not a crime of power and control.

Prevention is everyone’s responsibility. As individuals we can all help by supporting a culture of respect and equality in our relationships, workplaces and communities. We can promote healthy behaviors and attitudes, intervene when we see disrespectful or problematic behavior and support survivors. In the workplace, schools and community settings we can encourage proactive policies and host bystander intervention trainings. We can support legislation that is designed to improve the criminal justice system and bring predators to justice as well as protect the privacy of victims of sexual assault. By promoting awareness and education, we can help prevent sexual assault from happening. The iceberg of sexual assault represents only the tip of the iceberg, but we can take action to make our world a safer place. By doing so, we can give all people a better chance to live in peace and prosperity.