Female Victims Of Sexual Violence Research Articles

Pilot Study of SATELLITE Education on Nurses' Knowledge and Confidence toward Assessing and Caring for Female Victims of Sexual Violence.

Sexual violence (SV) can deeply impact victims' physical and psychosocial well-being. Yet many healthcare providers, including registered nurses (RNs), hesitate to screen patients due to a lack of confidence and knowledge. The SATELLITE Sexual Violence Assessment and Care Guide was developed to address this gap; however, the guide's educational effectiveness remained untested. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of an education program based on the SATELLITE guide among RNs in clinical settings (n = 8), using a pre- and post-test design. Results indicated that the education was not only feasible and acceptable, but also demonstrated the effects as desired with significant increases in RNs' knowledge and confidence in SV screening and care. The program's assessment tool was reliable, and participant recruitment was feasible. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the SATELLITE education program be further tested with a larger RN sample and extended to other healthcare providers. Additionally, exploring SATELLITE's use in different regions, cultural contexts, and healthcare settings would enhance understanding of the program's broader applicability and effectiveness.

“I Know It is a Stereotype, but People Love to See It”: Chinese Journalists’ Perceptions of Sexual Violence Victims

ABSTRACT Drawing on the concept of framing, this paper investigates the perspectives of Chinese journalists on sexual violence against women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 Chinese journalists from official, commercial, and freelance media outlets. The study identified two primary frames relating to female victims of sexual violence: the “idealness” of victims and the newsworthiness of victims. The paper examines how these frames relate to China’s socio-economic, cultural, and organisational context. It is argued that the perceptions and news values of Chinese journalists regarding sexual violence are influenced by both macro-level factors—such as socio-economic, organisational, and cultural factors, and micro-level factors, such as the journalists’ professional reputation and personal values. This interplay of factors results in the symbolic erasure of certain victims of sexual violence. The findings of this study underscore the importance of examining the cognitive frames journalists use when reporting on sexual violence, identifying key factors that influence their reporting. In doing so, the study contributes to existing literature on the framing of women’s issues.

Adolescent Female Victims of Sexual Violence: Analysis of Loss of Follow-up after Emergency Care and Outpatient Follow-up.

To assess the loss to follow-up after emergency care and during 6-months of outpatient follow-up, and the associated variables, among adolescent sexual violence survivors. This is a retrospective study with review of the medical records of 521 females, aged 10 to 18 years, who received emergency care in a referral service in São Paulo, Brazil. The variables were sociodemographic; personal history; characteristics of abuse, disclosure, and reactions triggered after abuse (physical and mental disorders as well as social changes), psychotropic prescription needs, and moment of abandonment: after emergency care and before completing 6 months of outpatient follow-up. To compare groups of patients lost to follow-up at each time point, we used the Chi-square and Fisher exact tests followed by multiple logistic regression with stepwise criterion for selection of associated variables. We calculated the odds ratio with confidence interval (OR, CI 95%). The level of significance adopted was 5%. A total of 249/521 (47.7%) adolescents discontinued follow-up, 184 (35.3%) after emergency care and 65 (12.4%) before completing outpatient follow-up. The variables of living with a partner (OR = 5.94 [CI 95%; 2.49-14.20]); not having a religion (OR = 2.38 [CI 95%;1.29-4.38)]), having a Catholic religion [OR = 2.11 (CI 95%; 1.17-3.78)]; and not disclosing the abuse [OR = 2.07 (CI 95%; 1.25-3.44)] were associated with loss to follow-up after emergency care. Not needing mental disorder care (OR = 2.72 [CI 95%; 1.36-5.46]) or social support (OR = 2.33 [CI 95%; 1.09-4.99]) were directly associated with loss to outpatient follow-up. Measures to improve adherence to follow-up should be aimed at adolescents who live with a partner and those who do not tell anyone about the violence.

Central symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder on adult victims of sexual violence: A network analysis.

This study aimed to identify and compare central post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms experienced by rape and sexual harassment victims, and the differences between the 2 groups. This study included 935 female victims of sexual violence who visited Sunflower Center in Korea between 2014 and 2020. Of the 935 victims, 172 were rape victims and 763 were sexually harassed. The Korean version of the Post-traumatic Diagnosis Scale was used to evaluate PTSD symptoms, and network analysis was performed to examine the differences in symptoms. The central symptom was "Physical reactions (PDS05)" for the group of rape victims and Less interest in activities (PDS09)' for the group of sexual harassment victims. For the group of sexual harassment victims, the most distinct central edge was the one between "Being over alert (PDS16)" and "Being jumpy or easily startled (PDS17)," and for the group of rape victims, it was the edge between "Upset when reminded of the trauma (PDS04)," and "Physical reactions (PDS05)." Network analysis revealed differences in central PTSD symptoms and central edges between sexual harassment and rape victims. Although re-experiencing and avoidance symptom clusters were most central in both groups, the specific central symptoms and edges differed between the 2 groups.

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.

Debunking the normalisation of sexual violence on screen through #MeToo movement: The case of Hollywood films

This study examines the denormalisation of sexual violence against women in the #MeToo movement-themed Hollywood films. The strong presence of the social-political #MeToo movement in the past decade has influenced Hollywood films. The movement plays a major role in increasing public awareness of how devastating sexual abuse is against women and in challenging the current patriarchal system in society. This study uses descriptive research methods and adopts thematic analysis to critically analyse the denormalisation of sexual violence against women in Hollywood films with the #MeToo movement as their theme. This research used three Hollywood films as the units of analyses: On the Record, Athlete A, and Bombshell. This study found that these films are essential in denormalising sexual violence against women on screen. The findings show the three important characteristics shared among these three films. First, they shed light on the existence of the power imbalance between the perpetrators and victims. Second, they show the transformation of female victims of sexual violence into feminist figures. Last, they denormalise sexual abuse. The findings benefit academics who are interested in movie and gender studies as well as practitioners who promote gender equality and women’s rights.Keywords : Hollywood film; the #MeToo Movement; Sexual Violence; Denormalisation of Sexual Violence

Interventions Focused by Nurses for Reducing Negative Effect of Traumatic Experience on Victims of Sexual Violence: A Scoping Review

Sexual violence has increased quite rapidly. Sexual violence can be in the form of physical or verbal violence. The impact of sexual violence causes a traumatic experience that causes physical problems, psychological problems, loss of the future, and causes the risk of death. Nurses have an important role in reducing the impact of sexual violence on victims. The purpose of this study is to describe nursing interventions to reduce the impact of traumatic experiences experienced by victims of sexual violence. This study used a scoping review method. The literature used in this study is from CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus. Keywords in this study are sexual violence, traumatic experience, impact, and victims. Search strategy used PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews to select articles for this study. The inclusion criteria were that the sample was female victims of sexual violence, studies employed a randomized control trial or quasi-experimental research design, and the publication period was of the last 10 years (2013-2022). We found 10 articles that matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings from this scoping review show that nursing interventions can reduce the impact of traumatic experiences on victims of sexual violence. There are three methods of nursing intervention, namely cognitive behavior, counseling, and web-based intervention. The samples are from developing and developed countries. The range of the samples are from 35-1250 respondents. Nursing interventions focus on victims in order to improve mental health and reduce the traumatic impact experienced by victims of sexual violence. The activities carried out were psychoeducation, keeping a daily journal, and discussions related to the traumatic experiences experienced. Nurses as health workers have a role to provide comprehensive nursing care to victims of sexual violence by taking into account the characteristics and impact of trauma experienced by victims of sexual violence.

Exploring Victim Blaming Attitudes in Cases of Rape and Sexual Violence: The Relationship with Patriarchy

This article explores the relationship between patriarchy and victim blaming in cases of rape and sexual violence. It explores how women’s dependence on, and subordination to men has been used to blame victims in cases of rape and sexual assault. The article will examine how patriarchal norms that are deeply entrenched in existing laws, traditions, religion, and social practices have been used to blame women in cases of rape. It will also explore how victim blaming attitudes have and continue to be used as a tool to absolve the perpetrator from their crimes. Using discourse analysis to examine the existing literature, the article will highlight how sexual violence are sometimes minimised and trivialised in courts and media. As well as this, the study adopts a feminist lens and critiques the imbalance of power that exist between men and women. The article will highlight how patriarchal norms have been institutionalised in all layers of social structures and contest how female victims of sexual violence are sometimes ridiculed and devalued in court. Within this finding, the construction of women’s sexuality and the limited criminal justice protection will be discussed in depth. The article concludes by arguing that patriarchal norms can be destructive and obstructive in achieving fairness and justice for victims of rape and sexual violence. Therefore, immediate steps must be taken to address victim-blaming attitudes by propagating more gender equality practices and instilling such practices in all levels of society and state institutions.

Sexual victims - supporting women's sexual and reproductive choices and wellbeing

In Japan, support systems for female victims of sexual violence are lacking. Assistant Professor Risa Koyake, Faculty of Contemporary Social Studies, Department of Contemporary Children, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Japan, is working to ensure these women have the support they need and deserve. Her work is particularly focused on women in Japan and the US who are pregnant as a result of sexual violence. Abortion tends to be the assumed preference but the choice of whether or not to have an abortion is tied to the sexual and reproductive freedom of the victim and some of these women wish to give birth. Unfortunately, support is particularly lacking for female survivors of sexual violence who wish to give birth. In her work, Koyake conducts consultations and conversations with survivors of rape. She has experience as a volunteer at a group for survivors of domestic violence so is used to having sensitive and challenging discussions with women seeking expert support and guidance. Koyake's current project is entitled 'The Choice of Adoption or Abortion Among Women Pregnant as a Result of Sexual Violence in Japan and America', and involves looking at existing support and options for women in Japan who are pregnant as a result of sexual violence, ultimately seeking to build on exisiting support to ensure that it is adequate, particularly for rape victims who choose to give birth.

“The Girl Who Cried Rape”: An Assessment of Rape Myths in the Moroccan Sociocultural Context

Empirical studies have unequivocally and consistently shown that rape myths are integral to the aetiology of sexual coercion and aggression. The present article reviews the literature on rape myth acceptance as an important risk factor in the sexual victimization of women and a precursor for a hostile social attitude towards victims of rape. Through the examination of the verbal reactions of the Moroccan public to the case of rape and torture of Khadija “the tattoo girl” (fata:t lwaʃm) on YouTube, it attempts to assess and debunk specific examples of rape myths present in the Moroccan sociocultural context. Discussion focuses on the social perception of female victims of sexual violence and the measurement and evaluation of its physical and psychological impact on them. Victims' emotional responses and psychic trauma constitute an important part of this discussion. Findings suggest the existence of immanently cultural rape myths, such as “the myth of the willing victim”, “it is impossible to rape a resisting woman”, and “women are prone to make false allegations”, along with deleterious victim-blaming cultural stereotypes, such as “she was asking for it”. Another noteworthy finding this paper presents is the social requirement of conspicuous "psychological/emotional harm" to legitimize the status of the victim.

Seeking Justice Through Qanun Jinayat: The Narratives of Female Victims of Sexual Violence in Aceh, Indonesia

<p>This article examines the experience of Acehnese female victims of sexual violence seeking justice through Qanun Jinayat (Islamic criminal bylaw) in Aceh, Indonesia. The empirical data in this study were collected through in-depth interviews with the victims and families related to the cases of sexual violence. By employing the narrative agency, this article argues that telling the experience of seeking justice is a way female victims of sexual violence express their resistance to the implementation of Qanun Jinayat in Aceh. Regarding this, we will show that Aceh’s Qanun Jinayat, which was originally implemented to eradicate sexual violence, turns out to have limitations in realizing the desired goals. This finding ultimately confirms that the concept of legal pluralism adopted in Aceh, Indonesia, has liminality in facilitating justice for women and other marginalized communities.</p>

‘Rapeable’ and ‘unrapeable’ women: the portrayal of sexual violence in Internet memes about #MeToo

ABSTRACT This article explores how female victims of sexual violence are portrayed in Internet memes about #MeToo on three social media sites: 9gag, Reddit and Imgur. Using discourse analysis, the article discusses how victims of sexual violence are considered either ‘rapeable’ or ‘unrapeable’ depending on their appearance and their sexual agency, and it considers the way in which women are blamed and held responsible for men’s abuse. Exploring how victims are portrayed also points to how sexual violence is discursively constructed within a humorous discursive space which ultimately trivializes sexual violence. As such, this article expands on existing literature on #MeToo to consider sexual violence, backlash and online humour.

Epidemiological Profile of the Victims of Sexual Violence Treated at a Referral Center in Southern Brazil.

To characterize the sociodemographic profile of women victims of sexual violence treated at a university hospital in southern Brazil. The present cross-sectional study included all female victims of sexual violence who attended the sexual violence unit at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA, in the Portuguese acronym) from April 18, 2000 to December 31, 2017. Data were extracted from the electronic record of the patients and stored in a standardized questionnaire database with epidemiological aspects of the victim, the perpetrators and the type of aggression. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-squared test for trend and descriptive statistics with 95% confidence interval (CI). During the length of the study, 711 women victims of sexual violence were treated. The mean age of the patients was 24.4 (±10) years old (range from 11 to 69 years old) and most of the victims were white (77.4%), single (75.9%) and sought care at the unit within 72 hours after the occurrence (80.7%). In most cases, violence was exerted by a single perpetrator (87.1%), who was unknown in 67.2% of cases. Victims < 19 years old showed a higher risk of not using contraception (relative risk [RR] = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.9-3.6). Most victims of sexual violence were treated within 72 hours of the occurrence. The majority of these victims were white and young, and those < 19 years old had a higher risk of not using contraception and to know the sexual perpetrator.

Víctimas de violencia sexual: construcción de comunidades de creyentes y acceso a la(s) justicia(s).

Este artículo compara dos colectivos de víctimas de violencia sexual, por un lado, un grupo de mujeres que narran haber sido atacadas sexualmente por el Pombero (deidad proveniente de la mitología guaraní con fuerte arraigo en Paraguay y el nordeste argentino) y por otro, las mujeres víctimas de violencia sexual que logran inscribir su caso desde categorías coincidentes con el discurso legal. Se analizan las estrategias de protección y reparación desplegadas por cada colectivo y también cómo son recepcionados socialmente ambos tipos de casos de violencia sexual, a fin de pensar cómo se teje el reconocimiento al sufrimiento y las estrategias de creencia en torno a las víctimas. Es decir, se busca abonar a la comprensión de la relación entre la violación sexual, la construcción de creencias y el acceso a la justicia. Así también, a través de la comparación de casos, se apunta a la comprensión y tratamiento de la violencia sexual como hecho social.

Negative Third-Party Reactions to Male and Female Victims of Rape: The Influence of Harm and Normativity Concerns.

Male and female victims of sexual violence frequently experience secondary victimization in the form of victim blame and other negative reactions by their social surroundings. However, it remains unclear whether these negative reactions differ from each other, and what mechanisms underlie negative reactions toward victims. In one laboratory study (N = 132) and one online study (N = 421), the authors assessed participants' reactions to male and female victims, and whether different (moral) concerns underlay these reactions. The reactions addressed included positive and negative emotions, behavioral and characterological blame, explicit and implicit derogation, and two measures of distancing. It was hypothesized that male victimization would evoke different types of (negative) reactions compared with female victimization, and that normative concerns would predict a greater proportion of the variance of reactions to male victims than female victims. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) were conducted to test whether reactions to male and female (non-)victims differed. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the influence of gender traditionality, homonegativity, as well as binding and individualizing moral values on participants' reactions. Results revealed that participants consistently reacted more negatively to victims than to nonvictims, and more so to male than to female targets. Binding values were a regular predictor of negative reactions to victims, whereas they predicted positive reactions to nonvictims. The hypothesis that different mechanisms underlie reactions to male versus female victims was not supported. The discussion addresses implications of this research for interventions targeting secondary victimization and for future research investigating social reactions to victims of sexual violence. It also addresses limitations of the current research and considerations of diversity.

A feminist reflection on male victims of conflict-related sexual violence

The authors identify a pervasive tendency, especially in the world of development and humanitarian response, to hierarchize or prioritize certain types of victims of sexual violence in armed conflict over others. Within this broader context, they focus on what a considered feminist acknowledgement of male victims of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) should look like. On the one hand, they emphasize that one and the same patriarchal template is used to humiliate and shame male and female victims of sexual violence alike. On the other, they urge that in light of the pervasiveness of patriarchal ideology and its harmful and wide-reaching social effects, the time is not yet ripe to endorse a gender-blind approach to CRSV.

The Moderating Effect of Perceived Control on the Relationship Between Traumatic Experience and Posttraumatic Growth in Female Victims of Sexual Violence

본 연구는 성폭력 피해 경험이 있는 성인 여성을 대상으로 외상경험과 외상 후 성장의 관계를 조절하는 변인으로 지각된 통제감의 역할을 확인하고자 하였다. 825명의 연구 참여자를 대상으로 인구통계학적 특성 질문지 및 외상 사건 리스트, 한국판 외상 후 성장 척도, 성폭력 귀인 척도를 사용하였다. 성폭력 피해경험을 가장 고통스러운 경험으로 지각한 52명의 설문 자료를 최종 분석하였다. 본 연구는 성폭력 피해경험자의 회복과 성장을 의미하는 외상 후 성장에 대한 양적 연구로 성폭력 피해 경험자의 심리치료에서 중요한 주제인 지각된 통제감에 대한 연구이다. 연구 결과에서 성폭력 피해 경험자의 외상경험과 외상 후 성장의 관계에서 외상경험과 지각된 통제감이 상호작용하여 외상 후 성장에 부적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 확인되었다. 성폭력 피해 경험자의 외상경험과 외상 후 성장의 관계에서 지각된 통제감 중 과거 통제감(행동적 자기비난)이 조절 효과를 보였다. 성폭력 피해 경험자의 치료 개입 시, 행동적 자기비난의 감소를 통해 외상 후 성장을 돕는 방향성을 시사하였다.The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of perceived control as a factor controlling the relationship between trauma experience and post-traumatic growth in adult women who experienced sexual violence. We used demographic characteristics questionnaire, traumatic events list, K-PTGI, and RAQ for 825 participants. 52 questionnaires who perceived experience of sexual violence as the most painful experience were used for final analysis. This study is a quantitative study on post-traumatic growth, meaning recovery and growth of victims of sexual violence, and the study of perceived control, which is an important topic in psychotherapy of victims of sexual violence. The results showed that the traumatic experience and perceived control interacted in the relationship between traumatic experience and posttraumatic growth of victims of sexual violence. In the relationship between traumatic experience and post-traumatic growth of victims of sexual violence, past control (behavioral self-blame) showed a moderating effect. In the case of intervention in therapy by experienced sexual violence victims, it suggested a direction to help post-traumatic growth through a reduction in behavioral self-blame.

Management of DNA evidence collected on adolescents in sexual assault investigations: A 10-year review from a large Italian rape centre.

Little research is available on the actual forensic use of genetic analyses performed in sexual violence cases, despite their relevant role in legal processes. The present retrospective study aimed to contribute to filling this gap in research, evaluating the actual number of serological/DNA analyses that followed medical examination of female adolescent victims of sexual violence. The study was performed in a large rape centre in Milan (North Italy) by analysing all medical records of female victims of sexual violence aged 13–19 years in the period from January 2006 to December 2015. The total number of sexual assault victims examined aged 13–19 years was 599. In 473 of the cases, biological evidence had been collected. The gathering of biological evidence was accurately performed (double swab technique) in multiple anatomical regions on the victims’ bodies, and clothes were acquired when biological stains were present or could be present. Proper handling under chain of custody for all the items collected followed in every case. Despite all of this, serological/DNA analyses were requested in only 9/473 (1.9%) cases. Procedural issues possibly affecting the magistrates’ decisions not to use DNA extensively as an investigative tool are also discussed.

Perceived social support and self-esteem in sexual violence victims.

Background: Sexual violence can lead to serious consequences. Few studies have simultaneously evaluated Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem of sexual violence victims. This study aims to investigate the relationship between self-esteem and perceived social support among sexual violence victims. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study which was conducted in forensic medical centers and all health centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences of Tehran. This study included 66 women in the sexual violence group (Women were considered sexual violence victims if vaginal or anal penetration had occurred) and 147 subjects in the non- sexual violence group (Women with no experience of sexual violence). Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and Social support Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistical software version 22. The significance level for all tests was considered as p<0.05. Results: There were significant differences in the levels of perceived social support in all subscales between the two groups and it was higher in non-sexual violence group (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the self-esteem level between the two groups. There was a minor significant positive correlation between self-esteem level of the sexually abused victims and perceived social support level (r=0.274, p=0.026). Others relationships were not found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the female victims of sexual violence had low social support from their family, friends in their life, However friend's support had a minor positive effect on their self-esteem.

Demographic Study of Female Victims of Sexual Violence Referred to Forensic Medicine in Fars Province

Aims: To determine the clients’ profile of referred in female victims of sexual violence.&#x0D; Methods: In a period of 7 years (2006-2012), 2113 cases of plaintiffs complaining about women sexual violence were investigated by a questionnaire after receiving permission from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine Organization. Data were analyzed after entering SPSS software, version 16, using descriptive statistics and chi-square.&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of rape has decreased in different ages. In 1668 cases, the plaintiffs were female (78.93 %) and most of the victims (36.5%) aged between 16 and 25 years old. According to Fisher test, there was a significant relationship between the age of the victims and different years of examination (p≤0.001). The highest frequency of 30% is reported at elementary education level. The highest frequency of sexual violence against women (18.3%) was reported in 2006 followed by 18.2% in 2011. In terms of occupation, the highest frequency of victims was related to students estimated as 40.52%.&#x0D; Conclusions: Because of the unpleasant nature of sexual violence, there is a serious need for urgent and necessary consideration of its harmful effects and root out this social dilemma by policy makers. Sexual abuse must be prevented especially using religious achievements or by developing effective control strategies detected and by experience female health care users treated.