The ICRC’s Comprehensive Response to Sexual Violence
Sexual violence is a complex problem and it happens in many different ways. Some examples include sexual harassment, bullying, sexual assault and rape. The ICRC works with partners to address this issue through a comprehensive response including assistance, protection and prevention.
Primary Prevention focuses on actions taken BEFORE the violence occurs to reduce risk factors that can lead to violence. For example, community outreach to educate about the dangers of domestic violence, SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) programs to improve the collection of forensic evidence, and training for bystanders on how to safely intervene in a potentially dangerous situation.
Secondary prevention also includes immediate responses AFTER the violence occurs to deal with the short-term consequences of the crime. For instance, crisis intervention for a victim of sexual assault or a support group for survivors. Additionally, prevention efforts might focus on improving access to legal services and education for victims, and creating safer environments by developing police protocols and providing safe sex training for law enforcement and other service providers.
Sexual abuse, sex crimes and violence can affect everyone – survivors, friends, family, coworkers and neighbors. The experience of sexual violence can change a person’s view of the world and how they fit into it. For survivors, the impact can be long-lasting. Survivors may have difficulty trusting others, feel alone, have difficulty sleeping and experience somatic (body) symptoms such as physical pain, anxiety or dissociation. In addition, they may be at higher risk for other problems like addiction, eating disorders, PTSD, depression and thoughts of suicide.
Research has shown that children who are being abused often have changes in behavior such as becoming aggressive, withdrawn or clingy and having nightmares. They may avoid the abuser or start avoiding school, friends and other activities because they are afraid of being hurt. They may become sexually inappropriate or use explicit language and have poor hygiene. They can also develop health issues such as genital infections, somatic complaints or have difficulties with their anal and genital areas.
Anyone can help prevent sexual violence and abuse. Everyone has the ability to be an upstander by speaking out against sexism and bullying, getting involved in local campaigns to improve police and justice systems or supporting legislation to bring predators to justice. You can make a difference by teaching your children about consent and being available to talk to them about their bodies. You can learn more about how to safely intervene in a situation that might be unsafe for someone else by following these steps from RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence National Network).
Bystander Intervention is what people do when they see or hear threatening or suspicious behaviours. Bystanders can have a big influence on the culture of a community and whether people will speak up to stop a sex attack or other incident.