What are the forms of sexual violence and what psychological problems can they generate in victims? Here, the opinion of an expert.
When we talk about sexual violencewe must understand that We are not just referring to physical violence.. Sexual violence would frame also any activity, physical or not, regarding our sexual life that is carried out without consent of the parts. In that sense, for example, harassment, exhibitionism or incest are part of this type of violence.
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It is clear that the minimum requirement to interact intimately with someone, with its sexual and, therefore, private dimension, is adult and non-coerced consent. And it is in this matter that we must understand the legitimate right that everyone has to reserve their consent. This reserve, in cases of sexual violence, is often threatened. The economic pressuresthe disabilitythe influence of alcohol and other substancesthe age and other factors are usually the mechanisms through which sexual violence is carried out.
The figures given by the Colombian Institute of Legal Medicine are alarming: in Colombia at least 18,143 examinations were carried out on victims of sexual crimes, for the most part, adolescents and minors.
Given this panorama, it is important to emphasize the distinction between the types of sexual violence.
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Types of sexual violence
Forensic psychology expert Irene Salas Menotti, the following are some of the most frequent forms of sexual violence:
- sexual assault and rape
- Sexual assault on children either incest
- sexual assault to the partner or spouse
- sexual contact not consented
- sexual harassment
- Exploitation and sex trafficking
- Exhibitionism (genitals or naked body) without consent
- Publication of intimate images without consent
Psychological consequences of sexual violence
According to the specialist, who is also the director of the specialization in Forensic Psychology at the Conrad Lorenz University Foundation, Such violence usually entails negative consequences for the victims.in addition to the physics, as we said, at the level of Mental healthincluding, among others, the following:
- Feeling of blame either shame
- Distrust And fear
- Anxiety
- Isolation
- waste of dream and nightmares
- Disorder of posttraumatic stress
- Use or substance abuse
- Excessive worry or distress
- Depression
- Different associated traumas
- Suicide
Salas Menotti called to reject this and any other type of violence and points out that it is essential report and ask for help:
“The majority do not report this type of violence because the alleged aggressors are, in large part, people from the inner circle, also for fear of be stigmatized or revictimized by the judicial system”.
Institutions like the ICBFthe Family commissary or the FGN are some of those in charge of providing protection and help to our physical and mental health. Going to them is advisable as well as advocating for the implementation of prevention strategies increasingly.