The Root Causes of Sexual Violence

Sexual violence can be any kind of sexual contact or behaviour that occurs without the victim’s consent. It can be as simple as kissing, groping or oral and vaginal sex to as complex as rape, sexual assault, incest, sexual harassment, stalking and sexual exploitation. Sexual violence can occur to adults, children and even animals. Survivors may experience a range of physical and emotional effects as a result of sexual violence, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and chronic health issues. It is important to remember that no one deserves sexual violence and that it is never a victim’s fault. It is also important to recognize and believe survivors when they share their traumatic experiences.

What are the root causes of sexual violence? Sexual violence is often perpetrated by someone the victim knows. In fact, according to the Rape, Abuse and Injustice National Network (RAINN), 38% of rape incidents involve people that the victim knows. This is because sexual violence is often an aggressive act that aims to assert dominance over the victim, and in some cases, it is even used as a form of punishment. For example, a boy who disobeys his parents or peers may be punished by being raped or sexually assaulted.

In addition, there are many cultural and social factors that lead to the occurrence of sexual violence. For instance, sexist, racist and classist attitudes can influence the motivation of offenders to engage in this type of behaviour. In patriarchal cultures, for example, women who try to resist a rapist’s advances are perceived as an insult to their “manhood,” which may prompt the offender to use more violent means to control them.

Furthermore, people living in poverty are more likely to be victims of sexual violence. This is because of the intersectional/multiple forms of discrimination they are likely to face, including based on their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, language, caste and religion.

Additionally, individuals who live in a culture that values social relations more than individualism are more likely to be victims of sexual violence than those who are more ego-centric. This is because of the different way in which these types of cultures express and perceive feelings of shame.

As a result of these and other factors, people who are affected by sexual violence often feel alone and helpless. However, there are a number of things that can be done to support survivors and prevent sexual violence from occurring in the first place. For instance, people can promote safe relationships, positive behaviours and thoughtful policies, and they can learn to safely intervene when they see harmful or problematic behaviour. They can also become prosocial bystanders and support their friends and neighbours, and they can join campaigns that promote awareness and prevention as well as support survivors. They can also donate money and/or their time to local rape crisis centres, or they can get involved in online or in-person activism and support campaigns.