Sexual violence is a serious and widespread public health problem that affects communities and society as well as victims and their loved ones. Women and children are the ones who suffer it to a greater extent and men are those who also commit it to a greater extent, although the victims of this type of violence are of all types of gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socioeconomic class and intellectual capacity.
In addition, victims have another great added problem: that of silence. Often the victims of these situations do not know how to act, they feel ashamed and do not even recognize the acts as sexual violence due to how some issues are normalized or minimized in society. As a result of this, many people do not denounce, do not report to justice what has happened to them. In this Psychology-online article we will briefly address What is sexual violence, what are the causes and consequences and how can we prevent it?.
What is sexual violence
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the sexual violence as: “any sexual act, attempt to commit a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or actions to market or otherwise use a person’s sexuality through coercion by another person, regardless of the person’s relationship to the victim, in any setting, including the home and workplace.
The coercion referred to may include:
- Use of varying degrees of force
- Psychological intimidation
- Extortion
- Threats (for example of physical harm or not getting a job or qualification, etc.)
It is important to emphasize that sexual violence can also exist if the person is not able to give consentthat is, if she is under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, if she is a minor, if she is mentally incapacitated or asleep and that past sexual contact does not necessarily imply future consent.
Some forms of sexual violence are the following:
- Rape
- sexual attack
- Incest
- Child sexual abuse
- Rape committed by a boyfriend/girlfriend or acquaintance
- Grabbing, lewd touching or groping
- Sending sexual text messages without permission
- ritual abuse
- Commercial sexual exploitation (for example: prostitution)
- sexual harassment
- Sexual or homophobic harassment. Here you can see the different ones.
- Exposure of genitals or private parts and voyeurism
- Forced participation in the production or viewing of pornography
- Any other unwanted sexual act: staring, lewd comments…
Causes of sexual violence
Finding out the causes of sexual violence is a complex task given the large number of forms that this type of violence takes and the large number of contexts in which it occurs. It is therefore advisable to analyze the different typologies individually to achieve greater explanatory precision regarding the specific causes. Below we will see some examples.
In the specific case of sexual violence that is directed towards women, there is an explanatory model that encompasses both individual and relational, community and social factors: the ecological model. This model tells us that the four aforementioned factors interact with each other, giving rise to sexual violence against women. As an example, in a study focused on Factors that increase men’s risk of committing rape (a specific typology of sexual violence) towards a woman resulted in the following data:
Individual and relational factors
- Gang membership.
- Harmful or illicit consumption of alcohol or drugs.
- .
- Childhood exposure to violence between parents.
- History of physical or sexual abuse in childhood.
- Little education.
- Acceptance of violence (for example, believing that it is acceptable to hit your wife or girlfriend).
- Multiple partners or infidelity.
- Opinions favorable to gender inequality.
Community and social factors
- Traditional and social norms favorable to male superiority (for example, considering that sexual relations are a man’s right in marriage, that women and girls are responsible for keeping men’s sexual desires under control, or that rape is a sign of masculinity).
- Lax legal and community sanctions against violence.
In the specific case of the sexual abuse of minors There are other explanatory risk factors different from those of women. Save the Children developed a Guide to sexual violence against boys and girls. Child sexual abuse and exploitation which specified the following:
Social factors
- Do not consider the child as a subject who has a series of rights.
- Abuse of power and validation of violence in close relationships.
- Tolerance towards certain forms of aggression, physical, psychological or sexual.
- Lack of knowledge about the impact and consequences that these types of experiences in childhood have for the correct development of individuals. Here you will find the.
- Cultural environments that allow and promote marriage at very early ages.
- Excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs.
Family factors
- Family structures where unequal power relations exist.
- Gender violence.
- Emotional distance.
Personal factors
In the case of the aggressor:
- Exposure to violence during childhood.
- Cognitive distortions.
- Little capacity or absence of empathy.
- Personality disorders.
- Consumption of child pornography.
If the actions were repeated we could talk about pedophilia, a sexual behavior disorder.
If we talk about origin of sexual violence towards any victim, we find three main factors:
Psychological factors
- The impossibility of achieving excitement without the use of violence.
- The lack of self-control.
- Deficient self-esteem.
- The absence of sexual empathy, which can lead to a cognitive distortion that justifies their aggression (“she/he likes it”, “she/he has looked for it”, “sex with children is giving them affection”…).
- Some personality disorder.
- A personal story as a victim of abuse.
Social factors
Very important when we talk about violence against women, the prestige that violence gives in certain groups and communities as an expression of virility, objectification of women through the media, gender discrimination and everyday sexist language.
Situational factors
The consumption of drugs and alcoholthe emotional contagion of the group experience, the victim-victimizer closeness and the desolation of spaces considered conducive to attack.
The sum of all these variables or some of them is what would give rise to sexual violence. Even so, there are many more hypotheses and explanations that are worth investigating if the topic interests you.
Also emphasize that often the person who commits an act of sexual violence against another is usually an acquaintance of the victim, whether a friend, co-worker, neighbor, intimate partner or spouse, family member or person in a position of authority. and influence for the victim.
Consequences of sexual violence
The consequences of sexual violence are varied and affect both the victim who suffers it and their loved ones, communities and society.
Impact on survivors
Whether the assault occurred recently or many years ago, it can affect daily life. Each victim reacts uniquely to sexual violence, both long-term and short-term, as there are consequences for both time periods. Common emotional reactions include guilt, shame, fear, numbness, shock, and feelings of isolation.
The psychological effects of sexual violence have been linked to long-term risky health behaviors. Reactions can range from (PTSD), the , the and the . Physical impacts range from personal injuries to concerns about pregnancy or sexual illness. Financial expenses include medical and non-work expenses.
The consequences for victims include several areas: somatic consequences such as chronic or acute medical illnesses, psychological consequences such as social adjustment problems, sexual problems, discomfort, cognitive changes… and psychophysiological consequences or reactions such as cardiac or muscular reactions when memories appear, shocks…In serious cases, the consequences can be so painful that they end in suicide, murder of the aggressor…
Impact on loved ones
Fathers, mothers, friends, couples… While trying to find meaning in what happened, loved ones often suffer reactions similar to those of survivors. Fear, guilt, self-blame and anger are the most common reactions.
Impact on communities
When sexual assault happens in your community, it can create a environment of fear, anger or disbelief in schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, universities, and among cultural or religious communities. In addition, there are economic costs for communities (medical, lawsuits…)
Impact on society
Sexual violence endangers essential social structures because it creates a climate of violence and fear. People who suffer from it have their jobs, their studies and all types of activities in society interrupted in which they may be incapacitated.
Preventing sexual violence: 3 strategies
In the past the methods for combat sexual violence focused on the criminal justice system to a large extent, it is now known that this type of violence is not a consequence of a single factor but rather the interaction of several in which society is also involved. From a public health perspective, community and social factors may be the most important in identifying Ways to Prevent Sexual Violence Before It Happenssince society and culture can support and perpetuate beliefs that condone violence.
According to the WHO, some of the strategies would be the following:
- Aid: provide a comprehensive response to the needs of surviving victims.
- Education: Expand the knowledge base and raise awareness about sexual violence.
- Legal: promote legal reforms, such as:
- Strengthening and expanding laws defining rape and sexual assault
- Raising awareness and training of police and judges on sexual violence
- Better application of existing laws.
And remember, if you experience any act of sexual violence:
- Get to safety.
- Get help.
- Get medical attention.
Sexual violence is a serious public health problem and We must all participate in its prevention. It is one of the most degrading violence that exists due to the medical and psycho-emotional implications it entails, affecting dignity and legal rights such as freedom.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your case in…