Sexual Violence – A Complex Issue With Far-Reaching Impacts

Sexual violence is a complex issue that has far-reaching impacts on victims, their families and communities. It is also a preventable problem. Whether you are talking with friends, family or acquaintances about this issue it is important to remember that victims may be in a variety of emotional states and you should never make them feel like they are to blame for what happened.

There are many reasons someone might engage in acts of sexual violence against another person, including sexual desire, a desire for power, or the desire to harm or injure their victim. Perpetrators can be male, female, or transgender, and they may be of any age. Some perpetrators are acquaintances or close friends and others are people who are in positions of authority such as teachers, bosses, doctors and law enforcement officials.

When people are in a position of power they tend to abuse their power and use it to gain control over those around them. In fact, the majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows. The vast majority of sexual assaults are not random acts, they are planned in advance by the perpetrator.

The ICRC recognizes that the causes of sexual violence in armed conflicts vary greatly depending on many different factors, but that does not mean that it can be ignored or excused. The ICRC strives to address this issue through its work in all of its areas: assistance, protection and prevention.

Victims of sexual violence are often unsure how to respond and can be physically hurt, emotionally drained or confused about what happened to them. They may have a variety of emotions from fear, anger and guilt to shame and denial. Sexually abused women are also more likely to develop PTSD and suffer from depression. These symptoms can also have a negative impact on their relationships, work and health.

Survivors may have specific medical needs following sexual violence including the need to be assessed for possible sexually transmitted diseases. They may also need to talk with a mental health professional or have physical treatment such as a pelvic exam. They might have to retrain themselves in how they use their bodies and may be worried about how they will look when they start menstruating again.

People who are concerned about the spread of sexual violence should take action. They can support their community’s efforts to teach consent and boundaries in schools, help to pass legislation that supports survivors and holds perpetrators accountable, donate to advocacy centers, or host a community event. They can also keep their homes safe by making sure windows and doors are locked, keeping a door open when someone comes to the house and checking identification of sales or service persons.

Everyone can be an upstander, even if they are not in a position to stop an attack that is happening or intervene immediately when someone is being harmed. Whether it is taking someone home who has had too much to drink, telling a friend that rape jokes are not funny or getting security involved when someone is behaving aggressively, choosing to step in can have a major impact on changing cultural attitudes about sexual violence and harassment.