Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault and its Prevention

Presented by: Akram Eerz
 What is sexual assault?
• Involuntary sexual contact, often known as sexual assault, occurs
when a person is pressured or physically forced to participate in
sexual activity against their will. It is not a crime of passion,
motivated by a great desire from sex; rather, it is a violent crime
driven by a desire for domination, to humiliate or damage another
individual. A person's trust and sense of safety may both be violated
when they are the victim of sexual assault, also known as sexual
violence. It is possible for it to happen to persons of any age,
colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, career, financial level,
and ethnicity, and it does happen to people from all of these groups.
We are all impacted, whether we are survivors, significant others,
communities, or society as a whole. There are many different
manifestations of sexual assault, but it is never the victim's fault.
 Effects of Sexual Assault
People who are victims of sexual assault include:
• There is a threefold increased risk of suffering
from depression.
• There is a one in six chance that they may
develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
• 13 times more likely to engage in harmful
drinking behaviors.
• There is a 26 times increased risk of drug
misuse.
• Four times more likely to contemplate suicide.
 How Big the Problem is?
The data reveals:
• Sexual assault is widespread. In their lifetimes, more than half of women and almost one in three men have
suffered sexual assault, including physical contact. About 1 in 26 males and 1 in 4 women have been victims of an
actual or attempted rape. In his lifetime, around 1 in 9 males were forced to penetrate someone. In addition, 1 in 3
women and about 1 in 9 males reported being the victim of sexual harassment in a public setting.
• Early sexual violence is common. More than 4 in 5 female rape survivors said their first rape occurred before the
age of 25, and over half said their first rape happened when they were minors (i.e., before age 18). Nearly 8 out of
10 male rape survivors said they were forced to prod someone before age 25, and about 4 out of 10 were forced to
urge someone for the first time while they were minors.
• Sexual violence affects more women and members of racial and ethnic minority groups than any other group. For
instance, more than 2 in 5 non-Hispanic multiracial women and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native
women were sexually assaulted at some point in their lives.
 Consequences
• Physical effects of sexual assault include bruises and genital injuries, STDs, pregnancy (in women), and psychological effects
include sadness, anxiety, and suicide thoughts. The results could be long-lasting.
• In addition to experiencing recurring reproductive, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and sexual health issues, survivors may
develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Harmful health practices are also associated with sexual violence. Those who have experienced sexual violence are more prone
to smoke, misuse alcohol, use drugs, and have dangerous sexual behavior.
• A survivor's employment may be impacted by the trauma of sexual assault in the form of time off from work, subpar
performance, job loss, or incapacity to work. These problems interfere with earning potential and have an ongoing impact on
the financial security of survivors and their families.
• It might be challenging to cope with victimization and carry out daily responsibilities. Keeping up with personal connections,
returning to work or school, and restoring normalcy can be challenging for survivors.
• Additionally, there is a link between sexual violence and other types of violence. For instance, females who have experienced
sexual abuse are more likely to go through different forms of sexual violence and endure intimate partner violence in adulthood.
 Preventions of Sexual Assault:
• Be aware that just being silent does not constitute agreement.
• Don't hold the victims of rape responsible for the violence that was committed against them.
• Accept personal responsibility for your sexuality and refuse to allow others—including your significant other, the media, or
anybody else—define it for you.
• Do not use alcohol or drugs in any way to entice a partner to engage in sexual activity with you.
• You owe it to the people you know to educate them on the myths and facts of sexual assault.
• Avoid rape jokes.
• Take on the problematic representations of violence against women that may be seen in advertising, pornography,
professional wrestling, and other kinds of media.
• You may show your support for the women and men who are fighting to prevent sexual abuse by giving your time,
contributing money, or contacting elected officials.
• Recognize that sexual assault will not stop unless males actively participate in finding a solution to the problem.
From:  National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention
 References
Bureau of Justice Statistics (2013). Report. http://www.bjs.gov/content/
pub1fusv9410.Pdf
Cloud, Shelly. (2015). Who are Victims of Sexual Assault? Integrity Security
Solution. Inc. Private Investigator
Understanding Sexual Assault. (2015). The Washington Coalition of Sexual
Assault Programs. www.wcap.org/understanding-sexual-violence
U.S. Department of Justice. (2012). National Crime Victimization Survey
Women's Health.gov (2011). www.emedicinehealth.com/script/main/hp.asp