The Impact of Sexual Violence
Sexual violence is any form of unwanted or unwelcome sexual contact, including sex abuse and assault. It is a serious issue that affects men, women, children and people of all ages, races, religions and economic classes. The impact can be physical, social and psychological and is often long term. It can have significant impacts on those closest to the survivor such as parents, friends and partners.
People who have been victimized may have feelings of anger, guilt, self-blame or shame. They can withdraw from their family, friends and activities as a way of dealing with their experiences. This can lead to depression and substance misuse. They may have a difficult time concentrating at work and finding or keeping a job. They may suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbances, flashbacks, suicidal thoughts and anxiety. They may have sexual problems, including a decreased interest in intimate relationships or a lack of desire to be sexually active. They can develop a variety of physical health problems, including sexually transmitted infections and a range of reproductive complications.
Victims can feel powerless in the face of sexual violence, and they are often blamed for their attack. This can include the perception that they were wearing provocative clothing, taking drugs, or out at night on their own. It is important to remember that no one deserves sexual violence, and it is never the victim’s fault. It does not matter what the perpetrator did to initiate the act, and it does not matter whether they had an erection or were sexually aroused at the time of the assault.
Many perpetrators of sexual assault are known to the victims, and 90 percent of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. They can be friends, family members, classmates, coworkers or romantic partners. The perpetrators can be young and old, straight or gay. People who have experienced sex violence are more likely to be affected by other forms of abuse, such as emotional and domestic violence.
Some researchers have suggested that a gender imbalance is a cause of sexual offending, particularly in the case of sex abuse and assault. This theory is based on the fact that men are more likely to use violence against women, and that this difference can be explained by social factors such as cultural expectations, beliefs about sex, and power dynamics in interpersonal relationships.
Other research has shown that some cultures have higher levels of violence against women than others. In addition, researchers have found that a culture’s attitudes toward women can influence sexual violence. For example, a culture that supports misogynistic stereotypes of women as submissive and weak can encourage sexual violence against those women. In contrast, a society that promotes equality between men and women can decrease the likelihood of violence against females. This is because it can change the way men think about women and what kind of role they should play in a relationship. This shift can also help to reduce the occurrence of sex crimes against women.