Preview

Effects of Sexual Assault on Relationships

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1538 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Effects of Sexual Assault on Relationships
Effects of Sexual Assault on the Life of the Rape Victim
North Greenville University
Principles Of Social Science Research and Writing/ 2340

Abstract

Sexual assault is a crime that affects more than the rape victim, it affects their loved ones as well. Rape victims and their loved ones face each day the psychological, emotional, and physical effects of the sexual assault. Each individual responds to the sexual assault differently. Many rape victims go untreated for years and blame themselves for the sexual assault. Sexual assault is not about the rape victim but it is more about the person committing the sexual assault.

Effects of Sexual Assault on Relationships
Rape or sexual assault is the act of forced penetration of any bodily orifice (vaginally, anally, or orally), involving violation of the survivor 's body and psychological person (Surratt, n.d.). Sexual assault is a crime that has not thought about the victim, the assault is for the person committing the rape. Rape is personal and destructive (“Effect,” n.d.). The response to the assault is different according to the rape victim (“Effect,” n.d.) . Sexual assault not only affects the rape victim but also has an effect on people that love them. The aftermath of sexual assault has the rape victim and loved ones dealing with psychological, emotional, and physical issues (“Effect,” n.d.).
Review of Literature
Psychological.
Sexual assault is not only an attack against the body but is also against the mind and spirit (Kat, 2009). The effect that rape can have on a victim psychological can be sever and long lasting. Each individual that experiences sexual assault responds different (Foothills Alliance, n.d.). Rape victims face a few common psychological problems: post traumatic stress disorder, rape trauma syndrome, and depression. Rape victims also face guilt and shame, anger and confusion as well as self-blame.
“ The essential feature of



References: American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Substance abuse. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed Bye, K. S. (2007). The relationship between self and other blame: do self-blaming rape victims of other crimes? Retrieved from http://helpsam.org/Winner2_2007.htm Coe, C., DeWolf, D., Kelch, M., Larson, R., McIntyre, M., & Seaman, P. (1999). Recovering from rape: healing your sexuality Effect of rape and aftermath. (2006). Rape Crisis Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://rapesurvivor.pbworks.com/Effects-of-rape-and-aftermath Retrieved from http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/index.html Kat, (2009) Retrieved from http://www.pandys.org/articles/lowselfesteem.pdf Menna, A., (2004) Shannon, (2007). Was it my fault? Self-blame and survivors. Pandora’s Project. Retrieved from http://pandys.org/articles/selfblameandsurvivors.html

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Various victims blame themselves for what happened as if it were their fault or wrongdoing. Victims are left paralyzed living in fear that it will happen again. Effect’s like this can cause a person to drift or exclude theirself away from people that can help. Therefore,these effects aren’t always easy to deal with, but with the right help and support assault can be…

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    * Sexual abuse. Rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting.…

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    ENC Essay #1

    • 911 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Being raped is a great ordeal. Whether it be by the same or opposite sex. An individual I once knew was a victim of a rape crime. Because of this incident the slightest bit of uncomfortable sensation would cause her to shut down. Until this very day, she always expects fowl intentions of every man who approaches her. Whether it be just a man asking for directions, she’ll drop her things and scream rape at the top of her lungs and dash to a “safe haven.” Even in the event when she has become comfortable with an individual, her deepest most inner thought assumes them to have ulterior motives. The inclement of being molested has to linger in the back of your mind for as long as you live. What if the individual was to one day find true love? She may be reluctant to open up to and trust her spouse. The exploration of the intimate sector of their relationship may be postponed for who knows how long. Some victims end up pregnant by their attacker. That can be cause a copious amount of anguish in one’s lifetime. To have to raise and nurture the baby of the man who violated you. Every time you look in to that child’s face you can see your attacker. Or, maybe the individual lost their virginity to their rapist. That can also mess up a person’s head, their first sex encounter being so agonizing. That could possibly induce a lifetime of celibacy. Can you imagine being deflowered by force, and enduring such soul crippling pain and embarrassment the whole way through and even after? Let that be…

    • 911 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Hsc 024 Essay Example

    • 829 Words
    • 4 Pages

    * Sexual abuse: the forcing of undesired sexual behaviour by one person to another – rape, sexual assault.…

    • 829 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Instead of focusing on the negative outcome of sexual abuse, the focus is shifted to looking at individuals overcoming trauma. With post-traumatic recovery individuals will be able to have a positive experience. They changed up the post-traumatic model so that they can see the attachment style, gender, and time since trauma, so that the individual will have a better recovery. It is explained that recovery from sexual abuse takes many years. Professionals want to get a better understanding of the pathways that assist recovery, so that there will be an increase of positive outcome.…

    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    sach

    • 2065 Words
    • 9 Pages

    sexual abuse - forcing undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or (often pejoratively) molester. The term also covers any behavior by any adult towards a child to stimulate either the adult or child sexually. When the victim is younger than the age of consent, it is referred to as child sexual abuse.…

    • 2065 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    For example, when Pennebaker and his colleagues (1988) examined effects of disclosing traumatic events and its physiological and psychological consequences, they found that individuals who did not disclose their feelings and the facts of their trauma, were more likely to develop health problems compared to those who disclosed the trauma. Thus, the role of stigma and the components of it –devaluation of the victim and the feeling of being different or “marked”– lead to social rejection of stigmatized people, which in turn, caused social isolation. The stigma of rape in most of the cases causes, self-blame, and low self esteem on the survivors (Kilpatrick et al.,…

    • 566 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “The immediate physical effects a person can experience after a sexual assault or rape can include bruising, vaginal or anal bleeding, difficulty walking, soreness, and broken bones”(Joyful Heart Foundation). These injuries are often determined to the overall health of the victim. Even if these injuries will heal relatively quickly, there are many side effects that take a very long time and sometimes forever to heal. Sexual assault victims, when trying to cope with their pain, sometimes become a victim again to substance and drug abuse. Long term “physical effects of sexual assault include sexually transmitted infections and diseases and a chance of pregnancy” (Joyful Heart Foundation). STI’s and STD’s can cause a lot of pain, severe health issues, and sometimes even death. Severe health issues are common in sexual assault cases because the perpetrators tend to not use protection. If pregnancy does occur, then not only will a victim possibly have to support a child (unless abortion occurs), but the victim will also experience emotional guilt and responsibility. It is not fair whatsoever for someone who became a victim against their own will to further suffer from long term health issues that put their lives at…

    • 789 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sexual Violence Sociology

    • 1589 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Throughout this essay, sexual violence is a major theme. Sexual violence has changed over time, however it seems like certain aspects of sexual violence have been passed on and have worsen with time. Sexual violence is a topic that is discuss solely young women through different outlets, such as media, educations, personal relationships, and etc., however if forget that both men and women can be sexual assaulted. Sexual violence is a major issue on both college and universities campuses with young adults who have found their freedom and tend to think about the consequences that are to follow. Even though sexual violence solely focuses on women, society has shaped sexual violence through class and race, rape culture, and consent.…

    • 1589 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sexual Assault On Campus

    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Sexual assault can be viewed as an unwanted sexual action, such as grabbing, kissing, and attack. Many victims can be forced into conducting sexual acts through verbal acts such as threatening their life, or non-verbal acts using liquor or drugs. Most of the time, victims know whom their attacker was and how they looked like. According to “10 Ways to Fight against Sexual Assault on Campus”, published…

    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Cook, B., McGuire, T., & Miranda, J. (2007). Measuring trends in mental health care disparities,…

    • 1867 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Better Essays

    No two people would give you the same answer if asked the question “what is sexual assault?.” Many people would reply and say that it is rape, but it is so much more than just rape. Anyone can be a victim of campus assault. It is more common for a woman to be a victim, but men can still be victimized by this crime (The National Center for Victims of Crime, n.d.). Sexual assault can happen anywhere and to anyone, no sexual assault experience is the same as another. Sexual assault usually has no boundaries that stop the perpetrator such as age, disability, or socioeconomic standing (Central MN Sexual Assault Center, n.d). Sexual assault goes so far beyond rape. Sexual assault is…

    • 1682 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sexual Assault Prevention

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Every two minutes a woman is sexually assaulted in the United States (FBI, 2003). According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, sexual assault is the most under-reported violent crime in the United States. In 2005, the Armed Forces received 2,374 reports of alleged cases of sexual assault involving its members. Of these figures, the Air Force received 584 reports. That is an increase of 28 percent over the past year (DoD, 2005). The Air Force is concerned with the safety, dignity, and well-being of all its members. The Air Force does not tolerate sexual assault and has implemented a comprehensive policy that reinforces prevention, response, and accountability.…

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sexual Assault

    • 674 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Sexual assault occurs when a person is forced, coerced or tricked into sexual acts against their will or without their consent, or if a child or young person under 18 is exposed to sexual activities. Sexual assault is a crime. Sexual assault is not the victim's fault. Its impact on the individual, their friends, family and community cannot be underestimated.…

    • 674 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Rape is a felony crime in which a person is forced to have sexual intercourse without giving consent. Rape is traumatizing, and has long lasting effect on how victims cope in society. Rape is often motivated by extreme anger toward the victim or a need to overpower the victim. The motive is rarely sexual. Rape is intended to abuse, humiliate, and dehumanize the victim. 50% of all rapists are under the age of 25 and are most frequently with someone the victim already knows. This can be very traumatic and have many effects on the victim (Texas Department, 2012). The effects of rape are both physical and psychological. Some of the physical problems may be bruises, swelling around genital area, bruising around the vagina, sexually transmitted diseases, and/or possible pregnancy. Psychological effects may be guilty feelings, irritability, flashbacks, depression, fear, and difficulty. The physical effects may last from a day to a few months, depending on the extent of the injuries. The mental and emotional effects are less predictable, and may last a lifetime (Texas Department, 2012). You might be asking; why is she providing all this information? Well, the truth is that this is happening to our children right before our eyes and we must find a way to help them in coping with the effects. According to Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje, Social Service Reporter with The San Antonio Express News stated that, “Around 25 percent of the estimated 300,000 American children lured into sex trafficking each year live in Texas — a sobering fact presented at a news conference, where victim advocates sought to lay out the scope of the problem and ways it might be better addressed” (Fletcher-Stoeltje, 2012). When situations like those arise, there should always be a place where one can turn to, a place to feel safe, to be understood, and be counseled, a place like, The Rape Crisis Center.…

    • 1363 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays