Sexual Violence and Culture

Sexual violence is an extremely complex issue that impacts people of all ages, genders, cultures, faiths, and races. While there are many factors that contribute to sexual violence, one of the most important is culture. Specifically, differences in cultural perceptions of gender roles and acceptable gender behaviors can lead to sexual violence. This is because men from a more conservative culture are more likely to misinterpret nonsexual behaviors and platonic interests of women from a more open or liberal culture as sexual in nature, leading to sexual assault. This is called sexual bargaining and has been a contributing factor in cases of sexual assault/rape by men from a more conservative culture on women from a more open or liberal culture.

Sexual assault/rape, child abuse, domestic violence, STIs/HIV/AIDS, and substance use/abuse can all have significant and long-lasting effects on victims/survivors. For example, they may cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can have physical, emotional and mental health implications for the survivor. In addition, PTSD can impact a person’s ability to work, study and socialize. These consequences can have a negative impact on families, communities and societies as a whole.

It is important to remember that sexual violence/abuse is not a victim’s fault and is never justified. Sexual violence/abuse can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere, no matter what they are wearing or what their sexual history is.

Victims often experience feelings of fear after sexual assault/rape. This can last for weeks, months or even years. It can also be triggered by certain sights, sounds, smells or even thoughts. Survivors often avoid places, situations or people that remind them of the assault/abuse. They may also develop a heightened fear of being physically hurt or killed.

The most common victim reaction to sexual violence/abuse is fear. This can be overwhelming at the time of an assault/abuse and continues to affect survivors long after it is over. Survivors can be afraid of being attacked again in the future, being around other people and being alone at home. They might become so fearful that they limit their daily activities, to the point where they may not leave their homes at all.

Another common reaction to sexual assault/abuse is guilt and shame. This is because some victims/survivors feel they deserve the abuse, or that what happened to them was their own fault in some way. This can make it difficult for them to talk about what happened and seek help.

While there are many reactions to sexual violence/abuse, some survivors find relief by talking about it with others. They might join a support group and/or talk to their family, friends or mental health professional. They can also use coping strategies and self-care tools to help manage their symptoms. Regardless of what a person does to cope, it is important to remember that sexual violence/abuse has no place in society. It is an unacceptable, traumatic crime that no one deserves. It can be prevented, and it is possible to recover from it.