Consequences Of Sexual Violence Research Articles

Sexual harassment and patterns of symptoms and functional abilities in a psychiatric sample of adolescents

Purpose To investigate how commonly adolescent psychiatric outpatients with symptoms of depression and anxiety report having been subjected to sexual harassment, and to explore how symptoms and functional abilities differ between adolescent psychiatric outpatients with symptoms of depression and anxiety who do report and those who do not report having been subjected to sexual harassment. Methods Swedish adolescent psychiatric outpatients with symptoms of depression or anxiety (n = 324; 66 boys and 258 girls, aged 12–19 years, M = 15.6, SD = 1.7) answered the PROMIS paediatric measures. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess differences between the respondents classified as ‘Sexually harassed’ and ‘Not sexually harassed’ based on these self-report questionnaires. Results About 60% of the adolescents reported having been subjected to sexual harassment, and reported higher levels of suicidal ideation, disturbed sleep, fatigue, anxiety, depression, anger, and pain interference, as well as lower functional ability in terms of school problems, alcohol consumption, and poor family relationships. Logistic regression analyses showed that the strongest associations were with suicidal ideation, disturbed sleep, anger, and alcohol consumption. Conclusions About 60% of the adolescents in the studied psychiatric cohort reported having been subjected to sexual harassment. Reported experiences were high in all three subtypes, with the most reports on having been subjected to verbal harassment. Clinicians should ask about experiences of sexual harassment and give information about the consequences of sexual violence and treatment options. Alcohol consumption should be addressed and tested for. Structured assessment of suicidality should always be done.

Sexual Violence in Later Life: A Widespread and Growing Yet Hidden Public Health Issue.

Sexual violence in later life and related trauma have been identified as a growing yet preventable public health crises, which disproportionately impact women. Research is limited and is continuing to emerge in this area, along with implications for addressing healthcare disparities, primarily among older women. In this paper, the prevalence of sexual violence in later life will be explored, along with survivor characteristics as they relate to structural inequality and health disparities. Consequences of sexual violence in later life will be explored as well, with implications for healthcare workers, focused on pressing needs for research, practice, policy and education at individual, relational, organizational and societal levels.

The impact of experiencing sexual violence against women in Sidoarjo city

Cases of sexual violence are increasingly widespread and alarming in the era of globalization. Sexual violence is common among women and has reached epidemic levels, affecting more than a third of women worldwide. The problems and consequences of sexual violence can lead to various conditions that interfere with women's mental and physical health. The purpose of this study is to identify the impact experienced by women after experiencing sexual violence. The research method used was a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. The research was conducted for three months (February-April 2023) in Sidoarjo City, East Java. Data collection techniques used in-depth interviews obtained from 8 informants, including female victims of sexual violence and the Regional Technical Implementation Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA) of Sidoarjo City. The data analysis technique used thematic analysis consisting of identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns (themes) found in the data and presenting them in detail and thoroughly. The results showed that the consequences of sexual violence caused women to experience unsafe abortion, unwanted pregnancy, bipolar, anxiety and fear disorders, sleep disorders, symptoms of psychosis, self-harm, and negative behavioral changes such as suicide attempts, smoking and drinking behavior, and sexual intercourse habits. Meanwhile, positive changes experienced include getting closer to God, trying to be productive, and evaluating and improving themselves.

Blood-borne infections and pregnancies among women attending a sexual violence assistance center in Brazil: A 10-year retrospective study.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) and pregnancy can be consequences of sexual violence. In Brazil, around 50% of women victims of sexual violence do not undergo STI prophylaxis or emergency contraception. To analyze socio-demographic and epidemiological profile, frequency of procedures performed, frequency of blood-borne infections (BBI), pregnancy, and legal abortion in women assisted by a sexual violence assistance center. This 10-year retrospective cohort study (2010-2019) describes the socio-demographic and epidemiological profile and frequencies of clinical procedures, BBI, pregnancies, and legal abortions in 915 women assisted in a sexual violence assistance center in Brazil. We extracted data from the medical records and used descriptive statistics and chi-square and logistic regression. A total of 93.3% (842/915) were residents in the Metropolitan Area of the capital, 80,83% (733/915) were brown-skinned or white, 42.4% (388/915) were adolescents (12-17 years old), 80.4% (736/915) were single, most had no children, average of 1.8 (±1.0 DP) children. About one-third (313/915) had not had previous sexual intercourse, 1.6% (10/653) were pregnant. Rape predominated with 92.0% (841/915), of which 51.5% (471/915) involved a known or related aggressor, mostly an acquaintance, followed by a stepfather or father. Recurrent cases were 24.0% (227/915). 42.6% (390/915) were attended within 72 hours and received STI prophylaxis 43.4% (392/904); emergency contraception 38.6% (349/904); blood collection 71.6% (647/904). Prevalence: syphilis 0.3% (2/653); hepatitis B 0.2% (1/653); pregnancy 1.6% (10/653). Incidences: syphilis 1.1% (7/633); hepatitis B 0.8% (5/633); hepatitis C 0.6% (4/633); pregnancy 27.2% (172/633). There were no HIV cases. Trichomoniasis at 1.9% (2/108), HPV-induced cytological lesions at 4.7% (5/108), and bacterial vaginosis at 20.0% (21/108) were found on cervicovaginal samples. There were 129 legal abortions. The socio-demographic aspects and the characteristics of the aggressions in the studied population are like those described in the Brazilian national database, including the remarkable number of adolescents. STI prophylaxis and emergency contraception were performed in less than half of the women. The incidence of pregnancy was higher among those women reporting firearms threats and lower among those receiving STI prophylaxis. The frequency of legal abortion was higher than in national data. Public policies ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health rights and strategies to improve the quality of care for women victims of sexual violence and education improvement may decrease vulnerability to STI and unintended pregnancies.

Sexual Violence in the Zinder Region, about 441 Cases in Reference Motherhoods

Background: Niger is one of the countries that have the highest fertility rate in the world, with 7, 6 children per woman. Zinder is the most populated region of Niger with 5 million inhabitants that is 1/5 of Niger population. The demographic impact that has affected Niger the last 10 years: unemployment poverty and drug use, spawned violence of all kinds in Zinder region (physical and sexual violence). Sexual abuse is a major risk for poor psychiatric and physical outcomes. As sexual violence has serious consequences on the life and future of women and the community and it concerns our field of intervention, we initiated this study whose objective was to determine the socio-epidemiological and lesional aspects, the consequences and appropriate solutions of sexual violence in the Zinder. Methodology: This was a retrospective collection study of all cases of alleged sexual violence received over a 12-year period from 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2021 in Zinder’s referral maternity wards. Results: During the study period, 441 cases of sexual violence were collected; an annual average of 36 cases (441/12). The frequency is 1.29% on the 34,186 consultations. The mean age was 12.31 years with age extremes of 3 to 43 years. Students accounted for 25.39%. Street vendors were found in 224 cases or 50.79%. The predominant reason for admission is rape in 64.63%. The defloration was 52.15%. Pregnancy was found in 118 cases or 26.75%. HIV serology was positive in 1 victim. School dropout was 26.75%. Conclusion: The victims of sexual violence were minors, mostly street vendors and school children. The lack of means of repression at the time allowed the expansion of this violence. The consequences of sexual violence were severe. Advocacy has improved the phenomen on of sexual violence in Zinder.

Amidst an Ambition-Reality Gap: The UN’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda

ABSTRACT Since 2000, the United Nations’ Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda has addressed the causes and consequences of sexual violence towards women in conflict scenarios. After two decades of effort, an ambition-reality gap persists. Uneven commitments from UN member states, ongoing instances of conflict-related sexual violence around the globe and the lack of a critical mass of female participants in peace negotiations, security policy and politics in general, suggest that WPS has had limited effects. Despite its under-achievements, WPS objectives remain relevant, especially considering the amplifying effects that the Covid-19 pandemic and its fallout have had for gender inequality and conflict.

Upaya Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Anak Sebagai Korban Kekerasan Seksual (Studi Kasus di Polda Bali)

Child problems that often occur to children are acts of sexual violence against children which can be in the form of physical or psychological violence. Sexual violence against children needs serious attention considering the consequences of sexual violence against children will cause children to experience prolonged trauma. Trauma can endanger the mental development of children so that children cannot grow and develop properly. Cases of crimes of sexual violence against children where the perpetrators are adults and most of them are known to the victims. In general, sexual violence is a sexual satisfaction that is obtained by someone from having sex with children. The purpose of this study is to find out and analyze the legal protection for children as victims of sexual violence provided by the Bali Police and the form of sanctions given to perpetrators of criminal acts. sexual violence against children. This study uses empirical or sociological research methods with a juridical approach. The results showed that the legal protection provided by the PPA Unit was in the form of legal and psychiatric assistance starting from the investigation process to the judicial process. The imposition of sanctions given to adult perpetrators in accordance with the provisions of Law no. 35 of 2014. For perpetrators who are minors, efforts are made through diversion, if diversion is not possible, it will be processed in accordance with the provisions contained in Law no. 11 of 2012.

Contexts and Consequences of Sexual Violence in women Homelessness

The purpose of this study was to deeply understand the Causes and consequences of sexual violence in homeless women. The method of the present study is qualitative and grounded theory and the data were collected using a semi-structured deep interview technique. 19 participants were selected through theoretical and purposeful sampling and information saturation criteria. After analyzing the information, the research findings, on the causal dimension of factors such as addiction and addictive beha

Віктимолого-психологічна модель реабілітації неповнолітніх жертв сексуального насильства

The article examines the peculiarities of victimological and psychological rehabilitation of adolescents who suffered from sexual violence. Attention is drawn to the fact that statistical data and judicial practice show that the consequences of sexual violence against minors are often irreparable, especially if the child was not provided with timely help. It is indicated that sexual violence, in any case, is the so-called «trigger point» for counting the formation of psychological injuries, which in most cases lead to the emergence of a person, especially a minor, in a retrospective phenomenon, which consists in an episodic return to the event , which caused an injury. In this regard, the rehabilitation of such children should begin with establishing not only psychological and physiological determination, but also criminological and victimological conditions and background phenomena, which in symbiosis contributed to or facilitated the commission of sexual violence. As in the case of working with criminal offenders, as well as with victims, the creation of specific models of actual or potentially deviant behavior with the allocation of correlations with psychological and moral features of a person’s personality becomes especially relevant. Victimological prevention should always include identifying the basic conditions for the creation of deviant instructions that contributed to the adolescent getting into an unfavorable situation and working out possible ways to avoid it in retrospect. Any rehabilitation should begin with a balanced dialogue, which will give the child the opportunity in a favorable environment to work with a specialist on all aspects of a socially dangerous event and build a behavioral algorithm that will allow him to avoid victim relapse in the future. It was concluded that the main rehabilitation measures and means are: 1) creating a sense of security in the minor victim of sexual violence; 2) building a dialogue taking into account the characteristics of the child’s personality and the event of a criminal offense committed against him; 3) working out, if possible, the maximum number of trigger zones associated with a socially dangerous event; 4) adjusting the child to positive reframing; 5) prevention of repeated and secondary victimization; 6) closure of gestalts associated with episodes of sexual violence. Rehabilitation of such children should take place due to the consolidation of efforts of medical workers, teachers, psychologists, criminologists and victimologists.

Sexual Violence in Sport: Expanding Awareness and Knowledge for Sports Medicine Providers.

Athletes are vulnerable to sexual violence. Perpetrators of sexual violence may be a trusted coach, a member of the health care team, or a peer. The consequences of sexual violence are wide ranging, resulting in immediate and long-term physical and mental health outcomes that require recognition and comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. Sports medicine providers need to have specific knowledge and skill to care for athletes who experience sexual violence. Several sports organizations (e.g., International Olympic Committee, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Athletic Trainers' Association) have developed policies and procedures to prevent sexual violence and help sports medicine specialists provide care and services for athletes affected by sexual violence. Nevertheless, there remains a need for clinical guidelines, screening tools, and education, as well as clinical best practices to address sexual violence in sports medicine.

Causes and Consequences of Sexual Violence in Male Prisons in Kenya: A Study of Kisumu Maximum Security Prison, Kenya

Sexual violence in prisons is an area that calls for adequate attention so as to achieve positive results in the rehabilitation of offenders. Globally, regionally and locally this phenomenon has not received the much-needed attention as one of the challenges facing correctional institutions. This study investigated causes and consequences of sexual violence in Kisumu Maximum Security Prison. The study applied the Deprivation Model and Differential Association Theory to show how the inability to access and enjoy some privileges might be a cause of sexual violence in male prisons. The target population was prisoners, prison staff of Kisumu Maximum Security Prison, and Kisumu County Probation Officers. Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling were applied to obtain a sample size of 186 prison inmates, 18 prison staff and 6 Probation Officers. Questionnaires were used to collect data from prisoners while key informant guide was used on Prison Staff and Probation Officers. The collected data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics and the out-puts were presented using tables, figures, and graphs. The study established that sexual violence was rampant in Kisumu Maximum Security Prisons with majority of the prisoners having knowledge of this vice and blaming congestion as a key motivator. Also, prison administration was also blamed for perpetuating the commission of sexual violence by failing to address and documenting these reports. Based on the study findings, it was recommended that increased surveillance by increasing staff and use of closed circuit cameras in the halls of residence, improved accommodation to ease congestion, introduction of supervised frequent conjugal visitations by partners, improved provision of basic necessities and lastly keeping the convicts constantly engaged in trainings and recreational activities address the problem of sexual violence in Kisumu Maximum Security Prison. Keywords: Causes, Consequences, Sexual Violence, Male Prisons DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/11-5-08 Publication date: June 30 th 2021

What do we know about the impact of sexual violence on health and health behaviour of women in Estonia?

BackgroundSexual violence against women is a major public health issue and a breach of human rights. Although various consequences of sexual violence on health have been described in a large number of scientific publications, very little is known about this topic in Estonia. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of sexual violence and associations between exposure to sexual violence and risky health and sexual behaviours among women in Estonia.MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Estonia in 2014. Self-reported data regarding selected indicators of risky health and sexual behaviours were collected from 1670 women, aged 18–44 years, via a self-administered questionnaire. To measure the prevalence of sexual violence, questions from the NorVold Abuse Questionnaire were included. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyse the data.ResultsOf the respondents, 22.7% (n = 379) reported being exposed to sexual violence during their lifetime, and over half of these women had had these experiences before the age of 18. Statistically significant associations were found between sexual violence and smoking (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.32, 95% CI 1.03–1.70), alcohol consumption (AOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.18–1.95), illicit drug use (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.70–2.89), sexual intercourse for money or other material reward (AOR 3.51, 95% CI 1.62–7.61), concurrent sexual relationships (AOR 2.64; 95% CI 1.80–3.86), and being diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (AOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.09–2.01).ConclusionsIn Estonia, sexual violence against women is widespread and is associated with several risky health and sexual behaviours. Efforts should be made, both among the general public and professionals, to raise awareness regarding the prevalence and negative impact of sexual violence. Women who have been exposed to sexual violence are in need of professional medical, legal and psychological help free from prejudice to help them recover from such traumatic events.

Sexual violence against women by so-called Islamic state of Iraq and Syria (ISIS): protocol for a systematic review

BackgroundViolence against women and girls (VAWG) has been significantly increased by the rise of conflict and insecurity in the territories under controlling so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This review aims to provide an understanding of the consequences of ISIS sexual violence against women.MethodsElectronic databases including MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, JSTOR, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Google Scholar are searched for the articles published from 2014 to 2020. Then, two reviewers will systematically identify the articles which will meet the inclusion criteria. Using a standard checklist, methodological quality of articles is assessed. The findings will be summarized, and a narrative synthesis of data will be reported.DiscussionThis systematic review with a narrative synthesis approach will provide the important information about the gap in knowledge and detailed summary of the existing evidence on consequences of ISIS's systematic sexual violence against women. The evidence is useful for the international health organizations to plan and develop clinical guidelines with interest to reduce the consequences of sexual violence in the armed conflict territories.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42019124215

Consequences of Sexual Violence among College Students: Investigating the Role of PTSD Symptoms, Rumination, and Institutional Betrayal

ABSTRACT The overarching goals of the current study were to investigate the roles of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, rumination, and institutional betrayal (e.g., feeling betrayed/harmed by a trusted institution following a traumatic event) following unwanted sexual experiences. Our sample included 332 undergraduate students from a private Eastern U.S. college; data were collected cross-sectionally. Results indicated that many participants (41.6%) reported experiencing at least one unwanted sexual experience since the age of 14. Institutional betrayal predicted PTSD symptoms even after controlling for lifetime history of non-sexual trauma (p<.001). While high rumination scores and institutional betrayal independently predicted PTSD symptoms, their interaction (i.e., moderation) was not significant (p=.361). Finally, history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) moderated the relationship between history of adolescent/adult rape and institutional betrayal, such that individuals with histories of both CSA and adolescent/adult rape reported the highest institutional betrayal (p<.05). Implications of study findings and avenues for future research are discussed.

#notokay: Challenging sexual violence through digital health activism

ABSTRACT An analysis of #notokay tweets revealed that tweets constructed a grassroots health activist discourse that made visible the ‘invisible’ pervasiveness of sexual assault by encouraging women to disclose assault in a digital space of affective solidarity. The campaign captured a multiplicity of embodied assault experiences, dispelled rape myths, and challenged and broadened mainstream conceptualizations of assault. It aimed at transformative change by politicizing the public health issue of sexual violence by highlighting the socioenvironmental determinants of assault – a patriarchal culture that condones and fosters violence against women and does not prioritize women’s health. By offering rich qualitative data on the magnitude, characteristics, and consequences of sexual violence via the lived experiences of women shared through tweets, digital health activist campaigns like #notokay have the potential to complement traditional public health surveillance systems of violence against women, and thereby raise the visibility of this issue.

The other side of late-life intimacy? Sexual violence in later life.

To explore the extent, nature and consequences of sexual violence in later life. Data were obtained from all police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on rape and sexual assault by penetration (Sexual Offences Act 2003) offences involving a victim aged ≥ 60 years, recorded between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2013. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 27 practitioners working in specialist violence or age-related organisations and with three female survivors. The majority of victims were female, and most offenders were male. Offenders were generally younger than victims, and most offences occurred in the victim's home, although one in five occurred in a care home. Physical, psychological and social consequences were described which create specific challenges in accessing and receiving support. An intersectional life course analysis of sexual violence is required to develop a better understanding of the consequences, particularly for older women.

Identification of Risk Factors and Consequences of Sexual Violence in Children

An increase in cases of sexual violence against children triggers various health problems in children, both physical, psychological and social. This paper aims to explore the sexual violence on children, risk factors and the impact of sexual violence on children. This study of sexual violence in children refers to various empirical literature studies. Furthermore, the collection of information was analyzed using the problem tree analysis approach to find out the risk factors and their impact on children. Cases of sexual violence in the community are difficult to detect because of the lack of recognition from victims. This is because the offender called pedophile comes from within the family (familial abuse) or can come from outside the family environment (extra-familial abuse) who have established close relationships with children. Sexual violence is generally motivated by the problem of weak protection from parents which is also strengthened by socio-economic problems, low access to reproductive health education and less optimal law enforcement. Therefore, children who have experienced sexual violence find it difficult to avoid physical, biological, psychological and social risks. Children who have experienced sexual violence find it difficult to avoid physical, biological, psychological and social risks. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the capacity of parents in the prevention of sexual violence against children and law enforcement needs to complete the system of early detection and rapid response to the incidence of sexual violence against children.

Silent and Lethal: Consequences of Sexual Violence Against Married Women in Ghana.

Extant research, mostly in western countries, confirms the consequences of sexual violence against women, but academic scholarship on this topic remains scant for Ghana. This study built on existing research by exploring the consequences of sexual violence against married women in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Data were obtained from in-depth interviews purposely conducted with 15 survivors of sexual violence. The thematic analysis showed that sexual violence was accompanied by physical and emotional abuse. Following sexual violence and abuse, these women experienced physical injuries, psychological problems, sexual and reproductive health problems, and suicidal ideations. These health difficulties significantly undermined their economic activities and depleted their income. Sexual violence clearly affects women's empowerment; campaigns against gender-based violence should make sexual violence a top priority in Ghana and elsewhere.

IS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AN APPROPRIATE LEGAL REMEDIATION FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE?

This paper questions applicability of restorative justice in cases of sexual violence. Specific nature and serious consequences of sexual violence are the reason why this question appeared. In order to find out the answer, authors represented the characteristics, mechanisms and nature of restorative justice, offering in the same time comparition of arguments in favor and against of applicability of restorative justice in this, particulary sensitive type of criminal offences. Together with review of different theoretical approaches to this matter, authors tested applicability of restorative justice in cases of sexual violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this paper normative, comparative and historical scientific methods have been used.

Descriptive epidemiology of rape and sexual assault data, Kaduna State, Nigeria, 2013 - 2015

Introduction : globally, 7% of women experience non-partner sexual violence (SV) annually. Demonstrated consequences of SV include unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection and HIV, substance use and abuse, mental health issues, and injury. According to the 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey, 4.6 percent of Kaduna State women age 15 - 49 had ever experienced sexual violence; the highest in the northwest zone of Nigeria. This study aimed at describing the epidemiologic characteristics of reported sexual violence cases in Kaduna State, using the Police Department administrative records. Methods : a secondary data analysis of reported sexual violence cases to the Kaduna State Police Command - Family Unit between years 2013 and 2015 was done. Variables extracted included age of survivor, location, status of perpetrators and type of injury sustained by victims. Data was enter, cleaned and analyzed using Epi info software. Results : a total of 90 cases of sexual violence were reported from nine of the 23 Local Government Areas within the period. A yearly increase in number of reported cases 24 (26.7%), 32 (35.6%) and 34 (37.8%) was observed from 2013 to 2015 respectively. Eighty two percent of the survivors were female. The median age (range) of survivors and perpetrators were 10years (3 - 20 years) and 26 years (10 - 80 years) respectively. The SVs reported were indecent assault 5 (5.6%), unnatural offence 8 (8.9%), attempted rape 20 (22.2%) and rape 57 (63.3%). Sixty-five (72%) of perpetrators were survivors. In 61 (67.8%) cases, a neighbor was the perpetrator of violence. Eighty-seven (96.7%) of cases received medical care received medical care and 56 (62.9%) survivors sustained injuries and laceration. There was no statistically significant association between the age of victims and relationship between victim and perpetrator. Conclusion : in Kaduna State, reported sexual violence occur more frequently among children and youths with perpetrators usually well known to them. There is a need to enhance sexual violence awareness among parents and caregivers. We recommended that the state should carry out mass campaign on sexual violence awareness at community level.