Female Victims Of Sexual Violence Research Articles

A pilot prospective study of the relationship among cognitive factors, shame, and guilt proneness on posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in female victims of sexual violence.

This study prospectively examined the relationships among cognitive factors and severity of Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in female victims of sexual violence. Thirty-eight victims of sexual violence recruited from Center for Women Victims of Sexual and Domestic Violence at Ajou University Hospital. Cognitive factors and PTSD symptom were assessed within 4 months of sexual violence and 25 victims were followed-up 1 month after initial assessment. Repeated-measured ANOVA revealed that PTSD incidence and severity decreased over the month (F [1, 21]=6.61). Particularly, avoidant symptoms might decrease earlier than other PTSD symptoms (F [1, 21]=5.92). This study also showed the significant relationship between early negative trauma-related thoughts and subsequent PTSD severity. Shame and guilt proneness had significant cross-sectional correlations with PTSD severity, but did not show associations when depression severity is controlled. Our results suggest that avoidant symptoms might decrease earlier than other PTSD symptoms during the acute phase and that cognitive appraisals concerning the dangerousness of the world seem to play an important role in the maintenance of PTSD (r=0.499, P<0.05).

Sexual violence against men in countries affected by armed conflict

Sexual violence against men in armed conflict has been documented for thousands of years under the various guises of war, torture and mutilation yet it is often neglected mainly because of overwhelming stigma and shame surrounding it. Based on academic and grey literature on sexual violence against men in conflict, this article discusses the complex reasons for lack of quality data on this important topic. The motivations of sexual violence against men are also explored through applying causal theories that are largely based on female victims of sexual violence. Finally, interventions for the management of sexual violence against men in conflict are discussed. This study concludes that gendered binaries and strict gender roles are primarily responsible in accentuating sexual violence against men in terrorising and humiliating victims, and must be addressed. It also calls for more research and advocacy of male victims of sexual violence in order to fully understand the dynamics of this challenge as well as to offer effective care for male survivors of such violence.

From Sympathy to Reparation for Female Victims of Sexual Violence in Armed Conflicts

Abstract There is a newfound momentum in international law for reparation for the victims of gross violations of human rights. This momentum has been largely hortative in resonance than actual. The slow progress in translating that desire into tangible, effective reparation programmes is partly attributable to the absence of coherent theoretical bases – especially palatable ones – for reparation in particular cases. It is submitted, however, that in canvassing the theories of reparation, the driving consideration must always remain the interests of victims and not the intellectual satisfaction of knowledgeable and well-meaning experts. The most erudite rationalization of the idea of reparation will be of no consequence if it does not, in practice, assist in improving the lives of the victims. While, it is important always to keep in view the fault-based theories of reparation, it is also advisable to consider the utility of employing the no-fault-based rationale for achieving the aim of reparation when the party at fault is either unavailable or unable to make reparation at all or in full. Hence, guidance might be had to the gratis model of reparation employed in many domestic jurisdictions to make some compensation to victims of violent crimes.

Forensic psychiatry assessments in Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China, 1997–2006

Forensic psychiatry is a growing sub-specialty in the People's Republic of China (PRC). This article describes 3016 persons assessed by a service in Sichuan Province, over 10 years (1997–2006). Most assessments were referred by the police for courts in criminal cases to determine fitness to stand trial and degree of criminal responsibility. Those not responsible were more likely to be older, farmers, with poor education, schizophrenia, facing charges of serious violence. The largest increase in referrals over the study period was for civil assessments. Forensic psychiatrists also provided assessments of competency of alleged female victims of sexual violence to consent to sexual intercourse. Forensic psychiatry in Sichuan showed many similarities to clinical practice in western countries.

Atendimento integral às mulheres vítimas de violência sexual: Centro de Assistência Integral à Saúde da Mulher, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

The Women's Comprehensive Healthcare Center (CAISM) has provided care for women who have suffered sexual violence since 1986. Since 1998, a special multidisciplinary team has been in charge of emergency and long-term care for victims of sexual violence. From August 1998 to May 2006, 1,174 women were treated, with an average of 150 per year in the last five years. During the same period, 71/109 women who became pregnant after rape had their pregnancies terminated, 23/109 continued the pregnancy to term, and 15/109 did not undergo abortion due to gestational age greater than 20 weeks. In Brazil, there are not enough public services to treat female victims of sexual violence who require legal abortion. Nationwide implementation of new services should be encouraged, in addition to all measures known to reduce the problem such as sex education in schools and widespread information and easy access to effective contraception.

Conquistas e desafios no atendimento das mulheres que sofreram violência sexual

This article analyzes treatment for female victims of sexual violence, with a focus on partnerships between government and the organized women's movement. The central references are the specific literature and testimony by key social actors who have participated in this process. The results show that despite the real and symbolic importance of care for rape victims, the government and the women's movement have not succeeded in guaranteeing the expansion of these services or adequately linking the discussion of sexual violence to women's right to abortion under any circumstances. It is thus necessary to step up the measures on this agenda.

The Need for Gender-Sensitive Medical Interpreters for Victims with Limited English Proficiency in Sexual Assault Examinations

Abstract The difficulties and trauma associated with sexual violence are exacerbated by language difficulties. Language difficulties pose particular barriers in accessing legal, social, medical and support services. This presents additional challenges for sexual assault response teams (SART). The SART members serve critical functions in supporting a victim of sexual violence from trauma to trial. This paper addresses the need for trained gender-sensitive medical interpreters for adult female victims with limited English proficiency (LEP) in sexual assault examination, and thus the need for inclusion of trained medical interpreters in SART. Such needs were articulated from interviews with advocates and medical interpreters in the US, from literature reviews and conversations with women with LEP in the US. The paper closes with a set of specific recommendations that will promote comfortable accessible service to female victims of sexual violence with LEP.

Atendimento às mulheres vítimas de violência sexual: um estudo qualitativo

To assess public services attending female victims of sexual violence in the city of Sao Paulo. This is a qualitative study conducted in two public services attending female victims of sexual violence. Interviews with 42 women were conducted, 13 of whom had sought these services for assistance and 29 were professionals working in these services. Evaluation of the services was based on the categories: reception, access, resolvability and sanitary responsibility. The analysis of the interviews per category has shown that there was reception in both services, problems with respect to access due to the lack of information concerning these services, and quality resolvability with a multi-professional team. As to the sanitary responsibility, it is present in these specialized services but is deficient in the emergency services and basic health care units. Many women are unaware of the rights they are entitled to with respect to specialized services. Frequently their late arrival compromises the efficacy of care. There are deficiencies both in terms of reference and counter reference. The results ratify the importance of these services and the need for their decentralized expansion. Health courses should introduce the theme of sexual violence at the undergraduate level.

Fulfilling Their Mission: The Intervention of Voluntary Societies in Cases of Sexual Assault in the Victorian Criminal Process

Victorian female victims of sexual violence often found themselves isolated within the criminal justice system. No state agency existed to initiate prosecutions for rape or indecent assault thus the victim or her family had to commence formal proceedings themselves. Drawing on nineteenth century newspaper reports and records from the Rainer Foundation Archive this paper argues that numbers of female victims benefited from the support offered by certain very active voluntary societies in prosecuting such cases. From disesteemed beginnings, caseloads increased exponentially as the century progressed and society became more willing both to accept the fact of sexual violence and its criminalization. The existence and operation of these societies made a very real impact within the criminal justice process and publicly signalling that masculine sexual violence was no longer justifiable.

Contextual effects of personal network on individuals’ tendency to blame the victims of sexual harassment

Victim‐blaming has been studied extensively, especially in the context of sexual violence. In the present study, the distribution of opinion with regard to female victims of sexual violence among people in the respondents’ networks was used to explain their victim‐blaming tendency. Data from respondents’ personal networks were collected, and the results revealed that respondents’ attitudes towards victim‐blaming correlated positively with the proportion of network others who had positive attitudes towards victim‐blaming. The correlation was stronger among respondents who had low concern for the issue. The results supported a model of information bias of personal network on attitudes.