Victims Of Sexual Violence Research Articles

Adult Experience of Pregnancy and Childbirth in Survivors of Underage Sexual Violence

Objective: Ms. A, who was a victim of sexual violence as a minor, spoke about pregnancy and childbirth as an adult and revealed her thoughts on the medical treatment and care she received. Methods: Semi-structured interview was conducted on zoom using an interview guide about Ms. A's thoughts on pregnancy and childbirth. The contents of the interview were coded using NVivo version 1.6.1, a qualitative data analysis support software. Content analysis was performed on 62 coded data and categorized them. Results: Seven categories were generated: resistance, disgust, pain, flashbacks, childbirth, positive emotions, and children. "Flashbacks" and "resistance," "pain" and "disgust," and "children" and "childbirth" were related. Discussion: It became clear that pregnancy and childbirth are experiences that are connected to past sexual violence victims. Consideration is required for everyone, even if it is supportive care, such as the medical treatment and care that pregnant women receive on a routine basis, or the situation where they touch the female genitals. Even if appropriate support is not available during pregnancy, it is necessary to continue to provide support during the child-rearing period so that pregnancy and childbirth can be viewed in a positive light.

Barriers and enablers towards integrated care for sexual violence victims in humanitarian settings

Abstract Background Sexual violence (SV) is a complex public health issue that necessitates a coordinated multisectoral response. Ideally, this response should be provided through an integrated care package to strengthen timely access and comprehensive care for victims. However, in humanitarian settings with high levels of SV, care is often offered through fragmented silos, exacerbating the burden on the health workforce and victims. Methods Using the Valentijn framework, a qualitative, real-time Delphi study was conducted with 17 SV care experts representing 7 geographical subregions to gain informed opinions on key contextual and health system barriers and enablers for integrated care for SV victims in humanitarian settings. Results Challenges and enablers reported across the diversity of the participants’ contexts showed consistency. Contextual challenges included volatile contexts, collapsed health systems, and poor infrastructure. Professional challenges included a lack of expertise among healthcare providers (HCPs), high staff attrition, and compassion fatigue among HCPs. Health systems challenges included poor referral and coordination mechanisms, insufficient resources, misaligned donor-programme priorities and low prioritisation of SV comprehensive care. Key enablers reported were effective networking, community engagement, capacity building, co-locating services, participatory management, promoting staff’s sense of ownership, digitalised information systems, and joint patient files. Conclusions The sustainability of integrated care for SV victims can be strengthened by ensuring HCPs access regular psychological support and training and are incentivised to provide quality care. Regular coordination among actors, including donors, can support integrating care that responds to patients’ holistic needs. Further research is needed to assess HCPs’ and SV victims’ experiences of current service delivery and how to optimise integrated care in humanitarian settings. Key messages • Addressing care providers challenges in humanitarian settings, such as high attrition, lack of training, psychosocial support, and burnout, can ensure proper integration of sexual violence care. • Integration of sexual violence care demands systemic changes, including aligning donor-programme goals, building accountability mechanisms and the buy-in of political and community leaders.

Re-conceptualising the Theory of Justice and the Needs of Victims of Sexual Violence in Nigeria: an Appraisal of a Victim Centered Approach

Abstract Background In the 21st century, the recognition of the rights and needs of victims of sexual violence has emerged as a fundamental discourse within international, regional, and local policy agendas. This has been influenced by the lasting psychological, emotional, and physical effects of sexual violence on the victims. These commentaries and agitation have spurred the need for alternative ways in which the Nigerian criminal justice system can be strengthened by incorporating criminal justice mechanisms and interventions that would enhance the needs and interests of victims in accessing justice despite its adversarial system of justice. Methods This study aims to appraise the different mechanisms of justice, needs, and interests of victims of sexual violence through a theoretical lens and drawing lessons from South Africa and Australia. To achieve this work, a doctrinal research methodology that utilized existing literature and secondary sources such as textbooks and online websites was adopted. Results The study found that there is a need for accountability for the protection of victims, implementation of legislation, and scaling up of resources for effective support services. In addition, the absence of resources, effective monitoring and compliance institutions, monitoring reports, specialized courts, and special regulations hampers the implementation of a victim-centered approach. Among others, the study recommends an all-inclusive criminal justice mechanism that would further incorporate a victim-centered approach towards advancing the rights and quality of justice for victims of Sexual Violence and the need for a victim impact statement to our criminal justice system for cases of sexual violence. Conclusion The study concludes that there is a need to make provisions for more effective alternative responses to incorporate the justice interests and needs of victims of sexual violence.

Prevention of sexual exploitation of children in sport clubs and social work in Switzerland

Abstract The Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified in 1989, provides a clear normative basis for the protection of children from violence, abuse and exploitation. Despite efforts to protect children, many children and young people are victims of sexual violence. In the extracurricular sector, clubs offer great potential for preventing sexual exploitation. However, obstacles such as the taboo nature of the topic and the clubs’ limited resources make it difficult to develop and independently implement specific prevention offers. The aim of the project was to record the activities and competencies of sports clubs, youth associations and other youth organizations in the area of prevention of sexual assault among children and adolescents in the leisure sector and to determine the need for prevention services in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland. In addition, information was obtained on the impact of existing prevention services as well as information on their further development in terms of content and organization. Together, 979 participants from sports clubs, youth associations and youth organizations (e.g. board members, coaches, leaders) as well as the parents of children who are members of these clubs were surveyed. An impact model was developed for systematic modeling, as proposed by “Health Promotion Switzerland”. The prevention of sexualized violence is seen as a very relevant topic by sports clubs, youth associations, open child and youth work and parents. However, the current implementation of prevention measures also shows that there are still barriers to implementation and room for improvement in prevention work. Participants from all areas would particularly like support with advice on how to deal with suspected cases/incidents, the provision of information materials and the creation of a protection concept. Specific ideas for the further development of prevention work were also generated and will be discussed. Key messages • The prevention of sexualized violence is seen as a very relevant topic by sports clubs, youth associations, open child and youth work and parents. • The study reveals that prevention measures are only partially implemented and identifies barriers and facilitators for improvement.

Analisis Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Anak Korban Kekerasan Seksual di Dinas Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan Anak Kota Tanjungbalai

The aim of this research is to find out how the Office of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection has attempted to implement legal protection in accordance with Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Law Number 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection against cases of sexual violence against children, as well as to find out efforts made by the Tanjung Balai City Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Service to help child victims of sexual violence. This research was conducted at the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Service in Tanjungbalai City, North Sumatra. The method used in this research is a qualitative descriptive research method. The qualitative descriptive method has the main characteristics, namely conducting research involving direct involvement in the field, acting as an observer, creating categories of actors, observing phenomena, recording them in an observation book, not manipulating variables, and focusing on scientific observation. The data collection technique used to obtain data is through interviews and documentation. The results of this research found that the efforts of the Tanjung Balai City Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Department have been running optimally, in accordance with Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Law Number 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection against cases of sexual violence against children. The form of legal protection used is in the form of preventive and repressive legal protection. One of the programs being implemented is synchronizing and coordinating the prevention of violence against children, which is expected to reduce the number of cases of sexual violence against children in Tajung Balai City.

The Impact of Sexual Violence Victimization on Acculturative Stress and Hazardous Drinking Among North Korean Refugee Women in South Korea.

North Korean refugee women face significant risks of traumatic experiences, including sexual exploitation and violence, both in North Korea and during migration. However, there is limited research on the long-term effects of sexual violence among these women. Using data from 245 North Korean refugee women, collected by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea in 2017, we examined the impact of sexual violence victimization during pre-migration and intermediate stages on acculturative stress and hazardous drinking. Our findings revealed that women who experienced sexual violence during the intermediate stage were more likely to engage in hazardous drinking, though no significant effect was found on acculturative stress. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers aiming to reduce negative psychological outcomes in vulnerable populations.

Abuse of Authority by Village Head in Cases of Sexual Violence against Women

The government's efforts to combat sexual violence in society are embodied in the Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence, reflecting the State's responsibility to protect and improve the psychological well-being of victims, whether they have experienced physical or psychological harm. Protection of women in the workplace is crucial, and ensuring their rights is a legal imperative. The prevalence of sexual violence against women in work environments, often driven by power imbalances, highlights the urgent need for effective legal protection. This research aims to examine the influence of power relations on sexual violence crimes committed by regional officials and to identify optimal legal protections for women who are victims of sexual violence. Employing a normative juridical approach, the research finds that while existing laws are generally adequate for addressing sexual violence, their implementation falls short of expectations. Recommendations include enhancing legal protection to be more victim-centered, as current regulations primarily focus on penalizing perpetrators. There is a need for policies that provide comprehensive protection and justice for female victims of sexual violence.

Legal Protection of Child Victims of Religious Leader Sexual Violence (Community Protection and Punishment)

Sexual violence constitutes a worldwide concern that jeopardizes individual security and integrity while eroding the social and moral fabric of society. When perpetrated by religious leaders, the issue becomes more intricate due to the exploitation of power, trust, and elevated social status. These leaders, expected to serve as moral exemplars, become offenders of crimes that infringe upon human rights. Legislators have established many laws and regulations, with the provisions controlling sexual violence delineated in Law Number 12 of 2022. However, there are still many cases of sexual violence against children both in the education environment and in society in Indonesia, especially those that occur in the Aru Maluku Islands Regency. The problem encountered is why there is an inequality in criminal law enforcement against children as victims of sexual violence committed by religious leaders?. This research aims to analyze the legal protection of victims of sexual violence committed by religious leaders. The research findings indicate a necessity for legal and policy reform, emphasizing that sanctions imposed on perpetrators of sexual violence who are religious leaders must be stringent to prevent the perception of legal immunity due to their religious status. So it is recommended that the government revise the law to remove legal immunity for religious leaders.

State-level structural sexism and adolescent sexual violence victimization in the US

BackgroundAdolescent sexual violence victimization is a significant public health issue in the United States. Structural sexism, a form of gender inequality at the societal level, may play a crucial role in influencing the prevalence of sexual violence victimization among adolescents. ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the association between state-level structural sexism and sexual violence victimization among adolescents and to explore how this relationship varies between male and female adolescents. Participants and settingData was derived from a nationally representative sample of high school students in grades 9–12 across the United States who participated in the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS) in 2017 and 2019. MethodsA state-level structural sexism index was created from nine different items to reflect the multidimensional nature of structural sexism. This study employs multi-level regression analysis to investigate the impact of state-level structural sexism on three types of sexual violence victimization: sexual violence, sexual dating violence, and physical dating violence. ResultsThis study revealed a significant interaction between structural sexism and gender. In states with higher levels of structural sexism, female adolescents reported increased likelihood of sexual violence (β = 0.013, p < .001), sexual dating violence (β = 0.006, p < .001), and physical dating violence (β = 0.006, p < .001) compared to males. Conversely, male adolescents in these states reported lower rates of victimization. ConclusionsThe results underscore the role of structural sexism in influencing sexual violence victimization among adolescents. Addressing structural sexism may be essential in mitigating the risk of sexual violence victimization, especially for female adolescents.

The present and future of child sexual abuse on the metaverse: recommendations for an innovative approach to law enforcement responses

Purpose The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to diagnose and analyze the current state of child sexual violence in the Metaverse through thematic analysis, identifying patterns and empirically diagnosing issues and (2) to enhance cybercrime investigation capabilities and public safety training in Metaverse investigations in the future. Design/methodology/approach By using thematic analysis, the study examines online child sexual violence victimization cases in the Metaverse, collecting data through keyword searches in newspapers and court records. Research limitations/implications This study provides detailed policy recommendations for building trust between the government and citizens involved in the digital age. Originality/value The research endeavors harbor a dual focus: first, to meticulously dissect and comprehend the prevalent landscape of child sexual violence within the intricate realms of the Metaverse. Through rigorous thematic analysis, the authors endeavor to unearth underlying patterns, diagnose empirical realities and illuminate the pressing issues at hand. Second, the authors aspire to fortify the arsenal of cybercrime investigation techniques, bolstering the capacity for future Metaverse inquiries. Using thematic analysis, the study meticulously scrutinizes a dozen cases of online child sexual violence, meticulously gathering data from diverse sources such as newspapers and court records. The implications of the research extend far beyond academia, offering concrete policy recommendations to safeguard vulnerable denizens of the Metaverse.

PERAN UNIT PELAYANAN TERPADU PUSAT PELAYANAN TERPADU PEMBERDAYAAN PEREMPUAN DAN ANAK (UPT P2TP2A) DALAM MENDAMPINGI ANAK KORBAN KEKERASAN SEKSUAL

The Integrated Service Unit of the Integrated Service Center for the Empowerment of Women and Children (UPT P2TP2A) Serang Regency is an institution under the auspices of the Office of Family Planning for the Empowerment of Women and Children (DKBP3A) Serang Regency. UPT P2TP2A is an institution engaged in the social and legal fields. This study aims to determine the extent of the role of UPT P2TP2A in assisting Children Victims of Sexual Violence in Serang Regency. The method used in this study is a qualitative research in which the results of the findings in this study will be analyzed and described in detail and clearly. Cases of sexual violence against minors are still common in Serang Regency, seen from the data on cases of sexual violence which are increasing every year. To increase legal awareness of the community to be further improved. Extension programs that are considered to be able to prevent an increase in the number of sexual violence against children can be more effective. Basically, the role of UPT P2TP2A Serang Regency is in accordance with regulations on child protection and other implementing regulations. The obstacles that the researchers encountered were human resources, lack of legal education and the lack of parental roles.

Silences of Memory: Liberator Sexual Assault in the East at the End of World War II

ABSTRACT Allied accounts of the liberation of Jewish survivors of Nazi camps and forced marches near the end of World War II highlight the long-awaited release of prisoners from captivity and the threat of annihilation. Missing from most accounts, however, are the voices of women whose victimization did not end with the arrival of their liberators. This article examines the phenomenon of sexual violence at liberation, specifically, assaults committed by Soviet soldiers against Jewish women survivors of Nazi camps. It posits that most accounts of camp liberation contain a memory void, that is, a space in historical narratives that obscures events or actors that are an ill fit with the dominant collective memory. This work fills this gendered memory void with the voices of Jewish women survivors and witnesses and seeks to construct a more nuanced account of liberation in the East. It draws on testimonies and memoirs which reveal that sexual violence against Jewish survivors has commonalities and differences with the mass rapes committed by the Soviet army against non-Jewish German women. The voices of Jewish women confirm that Soviet troops often viewed the fact that women had survived Nazi persecution as evidence of complicity with the Nazis, fueling a thirst for revenge. Many Jewish women became victims of sexual violence at liberation, yet they also exercised agency in protecting themselves, family, friends, and sometimes strangers. After the war, stories of women helping women to hide, escape, and survive are more central in many testimonies than those of men helping women.

Researching gender-based violence remotely during a pandemic: challenges, opportunities and methodological implications

There has been increased awareness of the unique challenges faced by those researching gender-based violence (GBV) in recent years. While much of the literature has rightly focused on the needs of participants (as victim/survivors), less has been written around the needs of researchers. Yet we know that researching GBV can have both positive and negative impacts on researchers (Nikischer, 2019) and it has recently been recommended that researchers have access to clinical supervision when regularly exposed to traumatic material (Williamson et al, 2020). This article draws on reflections from research carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the reasons why victims of domestic abuse and/or sexual violence may withdraw from the criminal justice process. The research team were provided with independent clinical supervision by a qualified therapist with expertise in interpersonal abuse throughout the duration of the project. Analysis of the researchers’ reflections suggest that while the move to remote research during the pandemic created opportunities in terms of flexibility there were additional emotional challenges to those experienced pre-pandemic. Importantly, this exploratory article shares reflections on the value of clinical supervision for addressing these challenges and recommends that all GBV researchers have access to this vital resource.

Dynamics of gender justice in the state’s negation of victims of sexual violence

This article examines the complexities surrounding the construction and understanding of gender justice for women victims of sexual violence who are overlooked by the state. Addressing the need for justice for these victims is vital, as women frequently face discriminatory treatment that can lead to victim-blaming. The study uses a qualitative, phenomenological approach based on Creswell's framework, emphasizing the interpretation of 'Gender Justice' through the experiences of key informants, which highlight varied perspectives influenced by their life experiences. The research primarily incorporates Gender and Feminism Theory and Gender Justice to analyze the issue. Key findings reveal a lack of empathy and insufficient training among law enforcement regarding sexual violence cases, along with stigma and intimidation from officers, coupled with inadequate legal protections for victims. Additionally, the legal bureaucracy is convoluted and unresponsive, making the current legal system ineffective in achieving gender justice and often neglecting the rights and needs of sexual violence survivors. These results indicate that the existing legal and governmental frameworks fail to provide equitable gender justice, often overlooking the requirements and rights of survivors. Legal certainty should be clear and consistent; however, in reality, victims often do not experience this certainty. The injustices faced by survivors stem not only from legal shortcomings but also from entrenched discriminatory and patriarchal social norms.

Flying under the radar: Gender, violence and grade point average

Sexual assaults continue to be a prevalent issue on college campuses. Research has shown that being sexually assaulted is associated with adverse outcomes in college students' grade point average (GPA). However, self-reported history of sexual violence perpetration and its associations with GPA has not been studied at the college level. A history of sexual violence as either perpetrator or victim has not been extensively explored, particularly in individuals at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Questionnaire data were collected on 2068 students attending an HBCU who self-identified as men and women on various demographic and academic outcomes. The experience of sexual violence (perpetrator or victim) in the past year, age, and self-identified gender were evaluated as predictors of GPA. Results indicated that women and older individuals had higher GPAs (p &lt;0.001), and these factors accounted for about 1% of the variance in GPA. In comparison, the addition of being a perpetrator of sexual violence augmented the variance and accounted for 2.3% (p &lt; 0.001). These effects are small but significant predictors and open a new line of research into the traits of those who commit sexual assault on college campuses.

Barriers to Formal Help-Seeking Among Black American Young Adults: Exploring the Roles of Sexual Violence Victimization, Intersectional Oppression, and Perceived Burdensomeness

ABSTRACT Though sexual violence can impact people across genders, sexual orientations, ages, and incomes, societal inequities can increase the risk of experiencing sexual violence. Such inequities are often intersectional in nature (e.g., racism and sexism) and may impact a person’s ability to engage in help-seeking for experiences of sexual violence, especially among those who perceive themselves to be a burden on others or society as a whole. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine the association between experiencing sexual violence, intersectional oppression, and perceived burdensomeness on barriers to help-seeking among Black American young adults. Participants (n = 289) completed an online questionnaire assessing constructs of interest. We found that half of our sample experienced any sexual violence and nearly three-fourths experienced more than one form of intersectional oppression (e.g., racism, sexism, and homophobia). Ultimately, we found that sexual violence and perceived burdensomeness – but not intersectional oppression – were correlates of experiencing barriers to help-seeking. Through incorporating multiple marginalized identities beyond Black race, our findings can expand our understanding of barriers to help-seeking among diverse Black sexual violence survivors, while revealing a new area for practitioners, healthcare providers, social workers, and related professionals to focus intervention strategies on: perceived burdensomeness. These findings are relevant to all who care for the health and well-being of those who have experienced sexual violence, chronic stress (due to singular and multiple forms of discrimination), and/or other traumas.

A Comparative Study of the Help-Seeking Behavior of Victims of Contact Sexual Violence and Image-Based Sexual Harassment and Abuse.

Sexual victimization may have serious consequences for victims' well-being. Thus, seeking support is encouraged and associated with positive outcomes. However, no research has compared the help-seeking behavior of victims of contact and image-based (i.e., noncontact) sexual violence. This study explores the differences in help-seeking behavior, and barriers to help-seeking, by comparing datasets from two online survey studies. The findings highlight that victims of contact sexual violence appear more likely to seek help, but also experience the barriers to help-seeking as greater. An exception is the minimization of the incident, which is experienced similarly by both. Future longitudinal research is recommended.

Interaction of sexual violence perpetration and victimization on suicide attempts in Korean adolescents on additive and multiplicative scales: a population-based cross-sectional study

Interaction of sexual violence perpetration and victimization on suicide attempts in Korean adolescents on additive and multiplicative scales: a population-based cross-sectional study

General practitioners’ knowledge and practice in consultations with (potential) torture victims: a qualitative pilot study from Norway

Background According to the UN Committee Against Torture, all state parties to the Torture Convention have a responsibility to meet the rehabilitation needs of torture victims who have sought asylum within their borders. General practitioners (GPs) can play a crucial role in identifying torture victims and securing rehabilitation when needed. There is a pressing knowledge gap on the knowledge and practices of GPs vis-à-vis potentially tortured patients, and an urgent need for research that investigates GPs’ practices of identification, referral, and rehabilitation – in Norway and beyond. This article presents an exploratory qualitative pilot study that investigates the experiences of GPs in Oslo vis-à-vis this patient group. Methods Semi-structured interviews with five experienced GPs in the greater Oslo area. Interview data was analyzed through thematic analysis and discussed within a theoretical framework seeing GPs as street-level bureaucrats. Results Issues that emerged in the pilot involve a consistent professional confidence and a particular concern for victims of sexual violence and sexualized torture. The pilot also found a troubling commonsensical reasoning about identification in the asylum process. The GPs asked for the re-establishment of specialist rehabilitation centers for refugees and torture victims to consult in case of need. Alas, the study also confirmed that GPs are a difficult profession to recruit for research. Conclusions This study indicates that GPs are important actors in terms of identifying torture victims after resettlement, but that there are shortcomings in their training and knowledge, in the overall organization of the healthcare system, and in specialized healthcare, that limit prospects for rehabilitation.

Psychosocial Support for Victims of Sexual Violence During the War in Ukraine: Challenges for Social Work

Psychosocial Support for Victims of Sexual Violence During the War in Ukraine: Challenges for Social Work