Different Forms Of Sexual Violence Research Articles

Global prevalence of non-partner sexual violence against women.

Sexual violence against women is a human rights violation and public health concern, with serious implications for women's physical and mental health. Reducing non-partner sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault and other forms of non-contact sexual abuse, is one of the main indicators of the sustainable development goals. World Health Organization estimates, based on available prevalence data from 137 countries between 2000 and 2018, showed that, globally, 6% of women aged 15-49years reported experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime from someone other than an intimate partner, with prevalence rates varying across regions. However, the reporting, measurement and documentation of the global extent of non-partner sexual violence against women is methodologically challenging, resulting in a gross underestimation of its magnitude and impact. To prevent and respond to this issue, policy-makers must consider interventions on education, access to relevant health-care services, public awareness, and effective and comprehensive legislation. To better estimate the prevalence of both sexual violence overall and non-partner sexual violence, it is essential to continue to strengthen the measurement of non-partner sexual violence, including the types of acts asked about and the mode of interviewing. Further research is needed to understand the cumulative impact of different forms of sexual violence on the lives of women and girls, including sexual violence during childhood and its associated risk with further exposure. Funding is required for more research and implementation of interventions to prevent and reduce all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual violence.

COVID-19 and sexual violence against women: A qualitative study about young people and professionals' perspectives in Spain.

There is an increasing awareness of the magnitude of different forms of sexual violence (SV), especially in relation to youth. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a negative impact on different forms of violence against women. In this study, we aim to analyse SV in the COVID-19 lockdown among young people and SV-related services from the perspective of professionals and young people from different sectors in Spain with responsibilities in attending SV and other forms of violence against women-related. A qualitative content analysis was performed on semi-structured interviews with 23 women and men aged 18 to 24 and 15 professionals working with youth and/or in violence against women or sexual violence related services. The sample was from northern, eastern and central regions of Spain. According to the professionals' experience, the COVID-19 lockdown lessened their ability to work on violence prevention. Both informants perceived that sexual violence had decreased in public spaces whereas it increased in digital ones and noticed the silence surrounding violent situations had deepened. However, they differed regarding its impact on sexual violence within intimate partners, mainly due to the lack of awareness of this problem among young men. In regard to violence against women and sexual violence, our results highlight the need to develop protocols for action and improve resource accessibility in crisis contexts.

‘It's like a much deeper understanding and you kind of believe them more …’: The value of peer support for young people affected by sexual violence

AbstractResearch demonstrates that relationships are key when working to support young people affected by sexual violence. Within these relationships, young people show a preference for non‐judgemental, flexible, consistent and informal support. Peer support – defined here as support provided by those with similar experiences – is however an uncharted area for assisting young people affected by sexual violence. This paper draws on interviews with 25 respondents with knowledge and experience of setting up, supervising and/or participating in peer support initiatives for young people impacted by different forms of sexual violence in Europe and North America. The article highlights how one form of peer support, peer or ‘survivor’ mentoring, can provide emotional and social support; create space for ‘normality’; and give choices to young people. It outlines three unique dimensions to the support provided by peers more generally: relatability, credibility and translatability. The discussion reflects on what this might mean for traditional support provided by professionals. It also draws attention to the significance of recognising both the variety of experience and identity of young survivors of sexual trauma and the impact this may have on promoting relatability within relationships.

Perceptions and experiences of sexual violence among Chinese men who have sex with men in Hong Kong.

This study aimed to understand the perceptions and experiences of sexual violence among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) in Hong Kong. The study adopted a qualitative descriptive design with thematic analysis. Thirty-one Chinese MSM were recruited in Hong Kong from May to June 2019 using purposive sampling. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. The interview data were transcribed verbatim from the recordings and analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach. Four themes were identified: (1) different forms of sexual violence, from physical to virtual; (2) inner struggles with fears and worry; (3) low awareness and perceived risk of sexual violence - 'it has nothing to do with me' and (4) dilemma towards sexual violence prevention. The study provided qualitative evidence regarding the experiences and perceptions of sexual violence among Chinese MSM in Hong Kong. Physical and image-based forms of sexual violence were identified, which led the participants to experience psychological distress, fear of contracting human immunodeficiency virus/other sexually transmitted infections, notoriety within the gay community, and discrimination and stigmatization within their family and workplace. To reduce the risk of sexual violence, some participants were cautious about the venue in which they engaged in sex and the habit of sharing sexually explicit photos with others. However, some participants had low awareness and perceived risk of sexual violence. This study was the first to fill the research gap on sexual violence issues among Chinese MSM using dating apps in Hong Kong. The qualitative findings enhanced the scholarly understanding of Chinese MSM's perceptions and experiences of sexual violence. The study findings can help nursing staff and other healthcare professionals to develop tailored primary, secondary and tertiary sexual violence prevention programmes for MSM or beyond.

Abuse and Violence Experienced by Gay Men living in Pakistani cultural context: An interpretative phenomenology analysis

This study was conducted using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore and understand psychosocial issues of the gay community living in the Pakistani cultural context. Six adult gay men, aged 20–40 years, were interviewed using semi-structured interviews at their preferred locations. Thorough and in-depth analysis of the transcripts revealed two superordinate themes: (1) The experience of verbal harassment and associated emotional disturbance was universal, (2) The experience of sexual violence was universal. These themes describe participants’ experience of verbal harassment with followed emotional reaction, and experiences of different forms of sexual violence. This study helps in understanding what it means to be a gay man in Pakistan.

Why I Didn’t Report: Reasons for Not Reporting Sexual Violence as Stated on Twitter

ABSTRACT Though sexual violence is prevalent, formal reporting to police remains uncommon. Social media may provide a unique outlet for survivors of different forms of sexual violence, who might otherwise remain silent. This study examined the viral Twitter #WhyIDidntReport hashtag to synthesize survivors’ reasons for not reporting sexual violence to formal authorities. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on a random sample of 469 tweets. Seven major themes emerged: internal reactions, expectations of negative social reactions, perpetrator factors, myths and knowledge, actual negative reactions from others, protection of others, and concerns about evidence. These themes are largely consistent with more narrowly focused past research, suggesting that social media may continue to offer viable opportunities for unobtrusive research in the future. Additionally, the uniquely broad lens of this study further illuminated stigma as a major barrier for reporting. Future research might test the relative predictive strength of specific barriers.

Sexual Violence at Music Festivals and the ‘Theory of Silence’: Unravelling the ‘Hideous’ Sexual Assault Problem in Nigerian Open-air Musical Events

This study confronts the prevailing culture of silence that trails sexual victimization in Nigeria to explore the scale of the problem of sexual violence at open-air music festivals. In-depth interviews involving 47 female attendees of musical concerts, who had experienced different forms of sexual violence, were conducted. Findings revealed high severity of sexual assault, low reportage, and strong influence of rape myth acceptance. Refusal to report sexual victimization is informed by the fear of isolation, stigmatization, self-blame and low confidence in the police. Cultural-shift that will change negative social perception towards rape survivors and women attending music festivals is suggested.

Control over Bodies and Territories: Insurgent Territorial Control and Sexual Violence

Despite the popular narrative of “rape as a weapon of war,” research shows that only a minority of insurgent groups perpetrate sexual violence in armed conflict. We argue that territorial control is an overlooked factor that can increase the likelihood a group commits sexual violence for two primary reasons: (1) rebel groups seeking to establish control over territory are more likely to commit sexual violence; and (2) groups seeking to maintain territorial control emulate state behavior through violently controlling human, sexual, and reproductive capital, which manifests in forced recruitment and different forms of sexual violence, including rape and sexual slavery. We systematically test this argument using the Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict (SVAC) and the Big Allied and Dangerous Insurgent II (BAADI2) datasets. The results provide robust support for the argument. This constitutes an important addition to our understanding of conflict-related sexual violence and rebel governance.

Sexual Violence and Its Associated Psychosocial Effects in Ireland.

Current data on the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of sexual violence in the Republic of Ireland is lacking, with the most recent sexual abuse and violence survey dating back to 2001. The current study sought to identify what proportion of Irish adults have experienced sexual violence, if there are sex differences in exposure to different forms of sexual violence, and to what extent different forms of sexual violence are associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes. To achieve these objectives, we carried out a nationally representative sample of Irish adults (N = 1,020) completed self-report measures of history of sexual violence and mental health. Results suggest that approximately one-in-three (34.4%) Irish adults experienced some form of sexual violence, including 14.8% who were sexually assaulted (raped) and 31.1% who were sexually harassed. Women were significantly more likely than men to have experienced all forms of sexual violence (ps < .001), with the exception of sexual assault by a parent or guardian. All forms of sexual violence were associated with an increased likelihood of serious mental health problems, with sexual assault by a parent/guardian associated with several other psychosocial outcomes in life, including education achievement, history of being taken into state care, salary, and employment status. Sexual violence is a common experience in the general population and women are disproportionately affected (1-in-2 women versus 1-in-5 men). Additional resources to increase mental health care among survivors of sexual violence is urgently needed. How our findings compare to Ireland's previous sexual abuse and violence survey and the implications of our findings for policy are discussed.

Self-esteem, posttraumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation among victims of sexual violence

Over the past years, suicide and suicidal ideation have become a Mental Health concern in Nigeria. With this concerns, the study examined the impact of Self-esteem and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on suicidal ideation among victims of sexual violence. In line with the study objectives, three research questions and three hypotheses were formulated and tested. Participants for the study consisted of 28(23 Christians and 5 Muslim) victims/survivors of different forms of sexual violence from 3 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) who support victims of sexual violence, drawn through a purposive sampling technique. Participants were within the age range of 11-31 years. Results revealed that self-esteem has no significant main effect on suicidal ideation F (1, 24) =.439, p=.514 while PTSD has a significant main effect on suicidal ideation F (1, 24) =0.032. The results also showed that self-esteem and PTSD do not have any significant interaction effects on suicidal ideation F (1, 24) =1.56, P=.224. It was recommended that all victims of sexual violence and other traumatic experience should undergo psychological evaluation to help alleviate the symptoms and distress

Conclusion of the special issue on sexual harassment and sexual assault in the US military: What have we learned, and where do we go from here?

ABSTRACTThis article concludes the special issue dedicated to examining the problems of sexual harassment (SH) and sexual assault (SA) in the U.S. military. After reviewing the reasons for devoting a special issue to this topic, we briefly describe the contributions of each article in this special issue. Next, we discuss 3 thematic domains that emerged across these articles with respect to preventing and responding to sexual violence in the military: the benefits of emphasizing the links between different forms of sexual violence within a “continuum of harm” framework; the necessity of considering the role of contextual as well as individual difference factors; and the need for systematic and rigorous empirical research to determine the effects of policy and training initiatives on relevant outcomes. Suggestions for future work on sexual violence prevention and response are provided. We conclude by noting that the military has the opportunity to lead in preventing sexual violence, benefitting not only service members but society as a whole.

Sexual Violence Infrastructures (SVIs): Hotels and Cyberspace as Enablers of Sexual Crimes in Nigeria

Majority of the literatures on sexual violence in Nigeria deals with the crime from a structural perspective; that is – how the legal system or cultural practices within the society creates an enabling environment for different forms of sexual violence. Only very few of these literatures deal with sexual violence at the micro level; which is, to analyse how individuals plan and carry out acts of sexual violence and what instruments they deploy to successfully facilitate such crimes. This paper attempts to address such gaps. The study draws from a prominent criminology theory – routine activities theory to analyse the necessary conditions under which sexual predators select potential targets or victims. These conditions include the availability of three essential factors: existence of a motivated offender (sexual predator), an attractive target, and that the target must lack capable guidance or protection. It argues further that in Nigeria, hotels and cyberspace have become ‘sexual violence infrastructures’ (SVIs), and essentially veritable instruments used in carrying out sexual violence. In the end, it recommends enhanced surveillance in hotels as a means of curbing their continued use as spaces for sexual crimes.

Chemical castration: It is an acceptable solution for preventing the commission of sex crimes against minors?

In addition to envisaging criminal offences which incriminate the different forms of sexual violence against minor and introducing stricter forms of punishment for sex offenders, the formal social reaction to sex crimes against minors often involves a series of measures aimed at monitoring the convicted offenders after they have served their sentences. These measures are basically aimed at reducing the risk of recidivism. One of these measures is a special pharmacological treatment, generally known as chemical castration, which is applied for the purpose of suppressing the offender's sexual urges and reducing sexual misconduct. In spite of being an appealing solution, chemical castration is acceptable only under specific conditions. Hence, this matter has to be regulated with exquisite caution in order to avoid the objections that this treatment constitutes a violation of the prohibition of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment, as well as a violation of the right to respect for private life and the right to establish a family.

Five-Factor Model of Personality and Sexual Aggression

Despite several studies have used the five-factor model (FFM) of personality as theoretical background, few studies have been conducted on the topic of the FFM and sexual aggression. This study explored how the big five dimensions and features of emotional adjustment characterize different forms of sexual violence. Twenty-six male students reporting sexual aggression against women (nonconvicted offenders), 32 convicted rapists, and 33 convicted child sexual molesters were evaluated. Participants completed the Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), the Brief Symptom Inventory (assessing state emotional adjustment), the Sexual Experiences Survey (perpetration form), and the Socially Desirable Response Set Measure. Results showed that individuals convicted for rape and child sexual abuse presented significantly more neuroticism than nonconvicted sexual offenders; child sex molesters presented significantly less openness than rapists and nonconvicted sexual offenders; and nonconvicted sexual offenders presented significantly less conscientiousness than convicted offenders. Regarding emotional adjustment, convicted rapists revealed marked psychopathological features in relation to child molesters. In addition, convicted rapists and nonconvicted sexual offenders presented significantly more hostility than child sexual molesters. Findings suggested that some of the big five traits as well as state features characterizing emotional adjustment may characterize different types of sexual offenders.

Sexual violence against women: The scope of the problem

Rape and sexual violence occur in all societies, and cut across all social classes. Prevalence estimates of rape victimisation range between 6 and 59% of women having experienced sexual abuse from their husbands or boyfriends in their lifetime. Two population-based studies from South Africa have found that 28% and 37% of men, respectively, have perpetrated rape. Estimates of rape perpetration from high-income countries seem to be lower than those from low- and middle-income countries; however, current data make it impossible to confirm this. Women and girls are much more likely to be the victims and men the perpetrators and, in most instances, the perpetrator is known to the victim. Children are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse, with girls being at greater risk, especially while at school and at home. High rates of child sexual abuse are emerging from the research, with an increasing understanding of the effect of child sexual abuse on later perpetration and victimisation, highlighting the importance of primary prevention for sexual violence to address childhood exposures to violence. Much of our knowledge about sexual violence has historically been based on research undertaken in high-income countries. This, however, is changing with the emergence of good-quality studies from other settings, particularly in Africa, alongside an increasing number of multi-country studies looking at interpersonal and sexual violence. Most countries lack population data on perpetration of sexual violence, across all categories, including children, and a major gap exists in research on sexual violence among sub-groups and populations. Much of the existing research has limitations that affect cross-study comparability, owing to differences in definitions, research tools, methods and sampling used. Improved research is essential. Research priorities for understanding the magnitude of sexual violence prevalence include assessment of the prevalence and patterns of sexual violence victimisation and perpetration in a range of settings, across a range of acts of sexual violence, in men and women, in adults and children, using methodologies based on best practice in gender-based violence research and standard measures of different forms of sexual violence; research on the social context of sexual violence perpetration and victimisation by both men and women; and methodological research to measure sexual violence for particular population sub-groups or violence types, such as child perpetrators or young child victims, or sexual harassment at work and school.

Expanding the Concept of Gender-based Violence in Peacebuilding and Development

This article analyses key documents and field reports in order to make explicit the kinds of conceptual perspectives that frame the work on sexual violence against women. It explores the ways in which the Beijing Declaration on Violence and Security Council Resolution 1325, which focus on women as victims of sexual violence, have framed the work on gender-based violence in the international arena. The article argues that the focus on women as the sole victims of violence hampers sustainable peacebuilding and development in post-conflict societies. Such a focus fails to address the ways in which boys and men experience different forms of sexual violence and limits the potential efficacy of interventions around gender-based violence.

Violencia sexual y problemas asociados en una muestra de usuarias de un centro de salud

To estimate the frequency of different forms of sexual violence and its association with mental health problems, such as depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and attempt, and alcohol and drug use. From February to March 1998, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 345 women attending a healthcare center in Mexico City. All women were living with a partner/spouse at the time of the study. The proportions of three different types of sex life were obtained and compared with the chi-squared test. Nineteen per cent of women reported that they had been sexually fondled against their will at least once in their lifetime, 11% had been raped, and 5% had been forced to touch the sex organs of another person against their will. One in every five women reported that they had experienced sexual violence in the context of an intimate relationship. An association was found between some forms of sexual violence and depression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and use of psychoactive drugs. Sexual violence is a severe public health problem that requires implementing specific programs to sensitize and train healthcare providers to prevent it.