Persistent Suffering: The Serious Consequences of Sexual Violence against Women and Girls, Their Search for Inner Healing and the Significance of the #MeToo Movement.

Sigrun Sigurdardottir,Sigridur Halldorsdottir

doi:10.3390/ijerph18041849

Abstract

This paper uses the method of theory synthesis, primarily from our own previous studies and psychoneuroimmunology research, with the aim of exploring and better understanding the consequences of sexual violence for women and their search for inner healing. The impact of the #MeToo movement is also examined. The main finding is that sexual violence causes persistent suffering for women and girls. In childhood and adolescence, the main consequences include a feeling of unbearable secrecy, threat and humiliation; disconnection of body and soul; great fear and constant insecurity; damaged self-image, self-accusation and guilt; experiencing being compelled to take full responsibility for the crime; as well as various physical and mental health problems, e.g., suicidal thoughts. In adulthood, the consequences are also multifaceted and varied, including vaginal problems, recurrent urinary tract infections, widespread and chronic pain, sleeping problems, chronic back problems, and fibromyalgia, eating disorders, social anxiety, severe depression, and chronic fatigue. In conclusion, sexual violence has these extremely negative and long-term consequences because of the interconnectedness of body, mind, and soul. The seriousness of the consequences makes a trauma-informed approach to services essential to support the healing and improved health and well-being of survivors.

Highlights

In this paper, knowledge from research on the consequences of sexual violence against girls and women and their search for internal healing is synthesized using the method of theory synthesis
After working from the evidence base that was created in the first step of the theory synthesis, we examined the results of studies and academic writings that had formed a theoretical background in our own studies for more than a decade in the field of sexual violence and psychological trauma
A woman or a girl who is a victim of sexual violence

Summary

Introduction

Knowledge from research on the consequences of sexual violence against girls and women and their search for internal healing is synthesized using the method of theory synthesis. The significance of the #MeToo movement in women’s search for internal healing after sexual violence is explored and discussed. When a number of women launched a campaign against sexual violence in 2016, an anti-violence sentiment grew, through which women refused to live in silence about the suffering that many of them had endured because of sexual violence. Women told their stories publicly as part of a movement characterized by support and solidarity. The #MeToo wave began in the United States within an organization founded by Tarana Burke to raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual violence and to support and empower young women of African descent who had been victims of sexual violence

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion