Sample Research Paper: Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault
Liberty University
Research Paper – Sexual Assault
A reader may be interested in this research paper regarding sexual assault because the paper will address some of the key motives for sexual assault and explain some of the effects a victim or survivor may feel after they have been sexually assaulted. Researchers have recognized the extensive problematic issue of sexual assault in American society. The effect of sexual assault ranges far outside sexual assault survivors, because family and friends are negatively affected as well society as a whole. According to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (2009), “There is an average of 237,868 victims that are 12 years old and older of sexual assault each year”. …show more content…
It is imperative that the realities and labels that surround sexual assault is vigorous to assuring that victims are treated with respect and receive the support services that one may require. Sexual assault and violence is one of the extreme damaging community matters that crosses all economic and social, cultural and economic boundaries. Focusing on educating society and improving the response to sexual assault within the community is imperative for prevention of sexual assault.
Introduction to Sexual Assault
Sexual assault consists of sexual intercourse and or sexual imposition without permission.
Sexual assault consists of attempted rape, forced sexual intercourse, child molestation, incest fondling and sodomy. Sexual assault can be devastating to those it has happened to and the loved ones surrounding the victim. In the United States is sexual assault is not reported often.. People assume that sexual assault is committed by a stranger, but the truth is the offender could be a person the victim knows, a family member, friend, acquaintance or a stranger. Threats, pressure, manipulation, coercion, and violence can be different ways of sexual assault (Martin, 2012). If one does not consent to having sex, this is considered rape. Rape could happen to anyone, no matter the age or gender. A person who rapes another is usually after power and is very violent. The offender has a desire to control another individual in a personal manner. Majority of the rapes that occur happen because the offender plans the rape out. Rapists enjoy manipulating and catching their victims off guard. According to National Center for Victims of Crime (2012), "A forcible rape occurs every 6.2 minutes within the United States. In 2010, the National Crime Victimization Survey reported 188,380 rapes or sexual assaults of victims age 12 and older. Of these crimes, only 49.6 percent were reported to law …show more content…
enforcement”.
Sexual assault is any kind of sexual exchange or conduct that happens without the clear permission of the receiver. Coercion can be forceful even if it does not consist of physical violence. People assume that some sexual assaults are not as serious as others. If one individual experiences physical force during sexual assault and one does not and just was manipulated, they both are considered sexual assault. It just means that one perpetrator used a different method to sexually assault someone. Sexual assault is considered violent regardless of physical injuries like broken bones or bruises. No matter the symptoms of sexual assault it is violent because it is a physical invasion of an individual. People must educate themselves and not be confused by sexual and physical violence. At times people assume that people who have been a victim of sexual assault means they should have screamed or fought back. This is not the case in every case. People react differently to different circumstances. Survivors react in their own way when an incident of sexual assault occurs. When people pass judgment on the way a survivor reacts all it does is overgeneralizes and undervalues the threat of sexual assault. At times victims do not fight the offender back because they cannot or because it is not a safe option to do so. There could be a few reasons way a victim does not fight back while being sexually assaulted, this is due to being in shock, self-protection mode, or being detachment from the situation. Bottom line is people react in the best way they can to preserve their safety throughout an assault.
This paper will examine sexual assault and the effects from it. According to National Center for Victims of Crime (2012), 1 out of 5 women and 1 out of 71 men have been sexually assaulted or raped in their lives. Most female victims were known to have tragically had a completed rape before the age of 25 and more than half female victims were raped or sexually assaulted by someone they knew. Sadly more than 1 out of 4 male victims had been raped when they were 10 years old, (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2012).
Absence of consent
For one to give consent it has to be clear authorization among intimate companions that confirm what they are engaging in is completely safe and wanted. In order for a person to give consent to participate in any type of sexual activities, one must agree that they are willing to be a participant without any pressure to do so, it has to be on their own free will (Wegner et al., 2014). Sexual assault or rape are both commonly described as involuntary nonconsensual sexual relations. When one is sexually assaulted it means that they have been involuntarily forced or influenced by an unfamiliar person or someone they know. Threats, verbal coercion, physical violence or restraint can be used on someone who has not given consent. Usually sexual predators attack or rape victims because they want dominance, power and control over that person (Wegner et al., 2014). If an individual is impaired, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, underage, mentally challenged, or insentient than consent cannot be given legally.
Range of Interactions that Result in Sexual Assault
At times there may be cautioning signs before a sexual assault actually takes place. These warning signs can caution a person to be aware if they are around a person that may have the potential to commit sexual assault. Nonetheless, the existence of these cautioning signs does not mean somebody will certainly commit a sexual assault. The absenteeism of warning signs does not mean an individual is certainly safe from sexual assault. Knowing about these warning signs can be extremely beneficial to people. If a person feels uncomfortable and notices any type of sign from a partner, friend or a stranger nearby than they should take proper precautions and trust their instincts. It is imperative to speak up and take necessary precautions before something horrific should occur is one 's safe bet.
Fatalities in Sexual Assault
Though it does not happen all the time but there can be some fatalities when a person is sexually assaulted because of sexual violence. Sexual violence is any sexual attempt to get a sexual act by forcefulness or strong-arming, unwelcome sexual commentaries or advances. Sexual violence is considered to be one of the most disturbing, ubiquitous and most common human rights desecrations. Sexual violence is a severe open health problem and has an insightful short or long-term influence on physical and mental health, such as an amplified threat of sexual and multiplicative health difficulties or a bigger risk of suicide or HIV infection. Homicide happening either throughout a sexual assault or as a consequence of an integrity murder in reply to a sexual assault is furthermore an influence of sexual violence. Although women and young girls suffer extremely from these aspects, sexual violence can happen to anyone at any age, it is an act of viciousness that can be committed by parents, caregivers, associates or an unfamiliar person, as well as close companions. Sexual violence is infrequently a crime of passion, and is fairly a hostile act that often targets to express control and authority over the victim.
Sexual Assault in the Military
Sexual assault in the military can impact both women and men.
There are cases where more than half of the victims of sexual violence were men. Mental health conditions such as of post-traumatic stress disorder among veteran women is associated with sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual violence or rape (Morris et al., 2014). Sexual violence is frequently a jeopardy aspect for homelessness amongst female veterans. Anxiety, despair, and additional mental health problems connected with surviving sexual violence in the military make it more probable that survivors will experience high amounts of substance abuse and will have trouble finding employment after release from the military (Morris et al.,
2014).
Acquaintance Rape
Acquaintance sexual assault includes forced sexual actions that happen in contradiction of a person 's will by means of power, forcefulness, pressure, or panic of physical damage. These sexual actions are enforced upon a victim usually by someone that they know. Media and the society use sexual activity to retail alcohol and because of this people are given imageries of how they think they are supposed to act when they are intoxicated. These notions come straight from the mass media and alcohol corporations of whom represent women and men in very dissimilar parts when they are consuming alcohol. Women are described as being sexually stimulated and extremely promiscuous, while men are described as becoming irresponsible and rapacious for sex. The news media portrays the idea of the expectancy of liquor’s influence which leads to an explanatory to the sexual act or discharging the sex act as just being drunken sex.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a bit different from sexual assault; sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance, remark, attention, movement or conduct. Sexual harassment can be physical spoken, or a non-verbal act. Frequently, sexual harassment consists of stress by managers at one 's place of employment, workers to respond to sexual advances in order to safeguard or receive a promotion in a job. The amount of sexual assault varies depending on the time of year. The summer has the highest crimes of sexual assault than the fall and winter (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 2009).
Sexual Assault in Men and Children
Children that are sexually assaulted may experience numerous influential feelings including fear, responsibility, disgrace, isolation and misperception. Criminals generally falsify, entice, or intimidate children to stop them from speaking out to someone. At times children feel as if they are responsible for what happened to them as a result of the assailant 's deception. After a grown-up sexually abuses a youngster, the state of affairs is one of inadequate power and uneven knowledge (Maniglio, 2014). A child cannot consent to any sexual activity and it is never the child 's fault. Sexual situations for children can be extremely hard and confusing. Children are taught to respect and look up to adults for guidance and it can be confusing when an adult misuses there authority to do inappropriate things to children. The circumstance is above all challenging and perplexing if the wrongdoer is a parent, family member, or family acquaintance. This can prevent a child from telling someone what is going on if they trust the offender (Maniglio, 2014). Children worry about the offender and try to protect them, when really they are the ones that need protected. Many children find difficulty in trusting others when they were deceived by someone they trusted, children find it hard to trust again. The loss of confidence in them and faith in others lies at the heart of numerous complications adult survivors may experience later on in their life. Regrettably, men who have experienced child sexual assault or abuse deal with problems specially generated by society 's inadequate gender expectations (Hopper, 2012). More or less the complications experienced by adult survivors of child sexual exploitation have been linked to the post-traumatic stress signs occasionally seen in war veterans.
Mental and Emotional Consequences of Sexual Assault
There are numerous short- and long-standing effects of sexual assault that distresses a person physically and cognitively. Countless survivors experience some of these effects and they are not equally limited. One could suffer from depression after a violent sexual assault. For some victims of sexual assault it is hard for them physically and mentally cope with the effects. If a person is assaulted they can have other less tangible impacts on their life. Survivors of sexual assault may feel depressed and lose their sense of creativity and inspiration (Gluck, 2000-2014).
Victims of rape have short or long term psychological effects. Self-blame is a psychological penalty that is most common (Ullman et al., 2014). The reason why so many victims place the blame on themselves after a rape or sexually assault is because it slows down the healing process. As an avoidance tool, victims use self-blame. Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety, stress or even having flashbacks or the tragic situation happening again are all common emotional or psychological effects of the sexual assault or rape (Ullman et al., 2014).
Survivors can experience nightmares and have a sense of worry that follows them during their daily activities. One’s outlook and stance on life can be immensely impacted by sexual assault. Some feel as if they are losing control over their life and feel violated all over again. A feeling of ineptness can start to develop if a survivor starts to feel as if their security and safety have been violated than the (Ullman et al., 2014). A survivor might grow an adverse viewpoint in which he or she may feel broken or undeserving of a restored life. This conviction method can add to feeling dispirited and anxious about the yet to come (Gluck, 2000-2014).
Support through Programs, Intervention/Prevention Strategies
There are many support programs out there for victims or survivors of sexual assault.
Most sexual assault programs goal is to help in the victims ' recovery from distress of sexual assault by means of therapeutic healing and support services (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2012). Survivors or victims can participate in support groups, individual or group counseling; receive crisis intervention, assistance with victim compensation, emergency financial assistance, crisis intervention, education on sexual assault or abuse and many more (Price et al., 2014). It is imperative for a victim of sexual assault to obtain medical care, irrespective of his or her choice to report the offense to the police. It is vital for the victim’s wellbeing and self-preservation to be treated and checked for potential wounds, even if none are noticeable (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2012).
Human service professionals are often involved in the cases f sexually assaulted or rape victims. Human service professionals must be empathetic and have a solid comprehension of ethical guidelines and considerations that involve sexual assaults. Human service works need to have compassion and be professional at all times. There is a delicate private nature involving cases of sexual assault and rape so human service professionals need to have discretion and approach such cases with consideration. One must be aware that is does not matter what age group one is in, economic status or one’s race sexual, weather one is male or female, sexual violence affects all the above.
Most states have a crisis intervention center that offers support services to sexually assaulted or rape victims. These service help people put their life back together. The emotional toll can severely impact a victim and it is crucial victims have support from family and friends so they get through the unthinkable (Price et al., 2014). Most services offered by human service professionals are at no charge. Discretion is a major part of support services and is essential to therapy. Ethical standards in human service require that human service professionals protect the confidentiality of the people who utilize human service agencies. The general theme of all the ethical standards is respecting others, honoring integrity and dignity of others (Martin, 2014). The only instances that human service professionals are to report cases are when the client threatens to harm themselves, others or reports of child abuse (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2012).
Conclusion
Understanding the realities and dispersing the labels that surround sexual assault is vital to guaranteeing that victims are treated with dignity, formality and receive the support services that one may require. When people uphold the law and hold offenders accountable for their wrong-doings as well as dismiss myths out there regarding sexual assault, this will help end sexual assault. People must provide facts to others about sexual assault to raise awareness. Mindfulness of the realities is one of numerous preventive methods that can be taken to support people making the right decision in regard to sexual assault. The repercussion of sexual assault and rape consists of physical and psychological effects. Victims must seek comprehensive care that deals with short and long term effects. There are times when victims may need treatment continuously for the rest of their lives depending on the severity of the incident and the person (Gluck, 2000-2014).
References
Afari, N., Ahumada, S.M., Wright, L.J., Mostoufi, S.MS. Golnari, G., Reis, V. & Cuneo, J.G. (2014). Psychological trauma and functional somatic syndromes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychosomatic Medicine, 76(1), 2-11. Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/Abstract/2014/01000/Psychological_Trauma_and_Functional_Somatic.2.aspx
Browne, A., & Finkelhor, D. (1986, January). Impact of child sexual abuse: A review of the research. Psychological Bulletin, 99(1), 66-77. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.66
Combs, Jessica L., "Trauma, personality, and behavior: A longitudinal study predicting adverse outcomes after sexual assault from personality prior to the assault" (2014). Theses and Dissertations—Psychology. Retrieved from http://uknowledge.uky.edu/psychology_etds/44
Gluck, S. (2000-2014). Effects of Rape: Psychological and Physical Effects of Rape. Retrieved from http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/rape/effects-of-rape-psychological-and-physical-effects-of-rape/
Hopper, J. (2012). Sexual abuse of males; prevalence, possible lasting effects, and resources. Retrieved from http://www.jimhopper.com/male-ab/
Maniglio, R. (2014). Significance, nature, and direction of the association between child sexual abuse and conduct disorder a systematic review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, DOI 1524838014526068.
Martin, M.E. (2014). Introduction to Human Services: Through the Eyes of Practice Settings (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Morris, E.E., Smith, J.C., Farooqui, S.Y., & Suris, A.M. (March, 2014). Unseen battles the recognition, assessment, and treatment issues of men with military sexual trauma (MST). SAGE Publications, 15(2), 94-101. Retrieved from http://tva.sagepub.com/content/15/2/94
National Center for Victims of Crime. (2012). About Sexual Assault. Retrieved from http://www.victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/dna-resource-center/untested-sexual-assault-kits/about-sexual-assault
Price, M., Davidson, T.M., Ruggiero, K.J., Acierno, R. & Resnick, H.S. (2014, May). Predictors of using mental health services after sexual assault. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 27(3), 331–337. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jts.21915/abstract;jsessionid=9E00D023B0F794D36275ADFADEA8431E.f01t01?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. (2009). Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.rainn.org/statistics
Tener, D., & Murphy, S. B. (2014). Adult disclosure of child sexual abuse a literature review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 1524838014537906.
Tolin, D.F., & Foa, E.B. (2006, November). Sex differences in trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder: A quantitative review of 25 years of research. Psychological Bulletin, 132(6), 959-992. PsycARTICLES.
Ullman, S.E., Peter-Hagene, L.C., & Relyea, M. (2014, January). Coping, emotion regulation, and self-blame as mediators of sexual abuse and psychological symptoms in adult sexual assault. Taylor & Francis Online, 23(1), 74-93. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10538712.2014.864747#.VGA1CGcw-AY
Wegner, R., Pierce, J., & Abbey, A. (2014). Relationship type and sexual precedence their associations with characteristics of sexual assault perpetrators and incidents. Violence against women, 20(11), 1360-1382.
Liberty University
Research Paper – Sexual Assault
A reader may be interested in this research paper regarding sexual assault because the paper will address some of the key motives for sexual assault and explain some of the effects a victim or survivor may feel after they have been sexually assaulted. Researchers have recognized the extensive problematic issue of sexual assault in American society. The effect of sexual assault ranges far outside sexual assault survivors, because family and friends are negatively affected as well society as a whole. According to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (2009), “There is an average of 237,868 victims that are 12 years old and older of sexual assault each year”. …show more content…
It is imperative that the realities and labels that surround sexual assault is vigorous to assuring that victims are treated with respect and receive the support services that one may require. Sexual assault and violence is one of the extreme damaging community matters that crosses all economic and social, cultural and economic boundaries. Focusing on educating society and improving the response to sexual assault within the community is imperative for prevention of sexual assault.
Introduction to Sexual Assault
Sexual assault consists of sexual intercourse and or sexual imposition without permission.
Sexual assault consists of attempted rape, forced sexual intercourse, child molestation, incest fondling and sodomy. Sexual assault can be devastating to those it has happened to and the loved ones surrounding the victim. In the United States is sexual assault is not reported often.. People assume that sexual assault is committed by a stranger, but the truth is the offender could be a person the victim knows, a family member, friend, acquaintance or a stranger. Threats, pressure, manipulation, coercion, and violence can be different ways of sexual assault (Martin, 2012). If one does not consent to having sex, this is considered rape. Rape could happen to anyone, no matter the age or gender. A person who rapes another is usually after power and is very violent. The offender has a desire to control another individual in a personal manner. Majority of the rapes that occur happen because the offender plans the rape out. Rapists enjoy manipulating and catching their victims off guard. According to National Center for Victims of Crime (2012), "A forcible rape occurs every 6.2 minutes within the United States. In 2010, the National Crime Victimization Survey reported 188,380 rapes or sexual assaults of victims age 12 and older. Of these crimes, only 49.6 percent were reported to law …show more content…
enforcement”.
Sexual assault is any kind of sexual exchange or conduct that happens without the clear permission of the receiver. Coercion can be forceful even if it does not consist of physical violence. People assume that some sexual assaults are not as serious as others. If one individual experiences physical force during sexual assault and one does not and just was manipulated, they both are considered sexual assault. It just means that one perpetrator used a different method to sexually assault someone. Sexual assault is considered violent regardless of physical injuries like broken bones or bruises. No matter the symptoms of sexual assault it is violent because it is a physical invasion of an individual. People must educate themselves and not be confused by sexual and physical violence. At times people assume that people who have been a victim of sexual assault means they should have screamed or fought back. This is not the case in every case. People react differently to different circumstances. Survivors react in their own way when an incident of sexual assault occurs. When people pass judgment on the way a survivor reacts all it does is overgeneralizes and undervalues the threat of sexual assault. At times victims do not fight the offender back because they cannot or because it is not a safe option to do so. There could be a few reasons way a victim does not fight back while being sexually assaulted, this is due to being in shock, self-protection mode, or being detachment from the situation. Bottom line is people react in the best way they can to preserve their safety throughout an assault.
This paper will examine sexual assault and the effects from it. According to National Center for Victims of Crime (2012), 1 out of 5 women and 1 out of 71 men have been sexually assaulted or raped in their lives. Most female victims were known to have tragically had a completed rape before the age of 25 and more than half female victims were raped or sexually assaulted by someone they knew. Sadly more than 1 out of 4 male victims had been raped when they were 10 years old, (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2012).
Absence of consent
For one to give consent it has to be clear authorization among intimate companions that confirm what they are engaging in is completely safe and wanted. In order for a person to give consent to participate in any type of sexual activities, one must agree that they are willing to be a participant without any pressure to do so, it has to be on their own free will (Wegner et al., 2014). Sexual assault or rape are both commonly described as involuntary nonconsensual sexual relations. When one is sexually assaulted it means that they have been involuntarily forced or influenced by an unfamiliar person or someone they know. Threats, verbal coercion, physical violence or restraint can be used on someone who has not given consent. Usually sexual predators attack or rape victims because they want dominance, power and control over that person (Wegner et al., 2014). If an individual is impaired, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, underage, mentally challenged, or insentient than consent cannot be given legally.
Range of Interactions that Result in Sexual Assault
At times there may be cautioning signs before a sexual assault actually takes place. These warning signs can caution a person to be aware if they are around a person that may have the potential to commit sexual assault. Nonetheless, the existence of these cautioning signs does not mean somebody will certainly commit a sexual assault. The absenteeism of warning signs does not mean an individual is certainly safe from sexual assault. Knowing about these warning signs can be extremely beneficial to people. If a person feels uncomfortable and notices any type of sign from a partner, friend or a stranger nearby than they should take proper precautions and trust their instincts. It is imperative to speak up and take necessary precautions before something horrific should occur is one 's safe bet.
Fatalities in Sexual Assault
Though it does not happen all the time but there can be some fatalities when a person is sexually assaulted because of sexual violence. Sexual violence is any sexual attempt to get a sexual act by forcefulness or strong-arming, unwelcome sexual commentaries or advances. Sexual violence is considered to be one of the most disturbing, ubiquitous and most common human rights desecrations. Sexual violence is a severe open health problem and has an insightful short or long-term influence on physical and mental health, such as an amplified threat of sexual and multiplicative health difficulties or a bigger risk of suicide or HIV infection. Homicide happening either throughout a sexual assault or as a consequence of an integrity murder in reply to a sexual assault is furthermore an influence of sexual violence. Although women and young girls suffer extremely from these aspects, sexual violence can happen to anyone at any age, it is an act of viciousness that can be committed by parents, caregivers, associates or an unfamiliar person, as well as close companions. Sexual violence is infrequently a crime of passion, and is fairly a hostile act that often targets to express control and authority over the victim.
Sexual Assault in the Military
Sexual assault in the military can impact both women and men.
There are cases where more than half of the victims of sexual violence were men. Mental health conditions such as of post-traumatic stress disorder among veteran women is associated with sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual violence or rape (Morris et al., 2014). Sexual violence is frequently a jeopardy aspect for homelessness amongst female veterans. Anxiety, despair, and additional mental health problems connected with surviving sexual violence in the military make it more probable that survivors will experience high amounts of substance abuse and will have trouble finding employment after release from the military (Morris et al.,
2014).
Acquaintance Rape
Acquaintance sexual assault includes forced sexual actions that happen in contradiction of a person 's will by means of power, forcefulness, pressure, or panic of physical damage. These sexual actions are enforced upon a victim usually by someone that they know. Media and the society use sexual activity to retail alcohol and because of this people are given imageries of how they think they are supposed to act when they are intoxicated. These notions come straight from the mass media and alcohol corporations of whom represent women and men in very dissimilar parts when they are consuming alcohol. Women are described as being sexually stimulated and extremely promiscuous, while men are described as becoming irresponsible and rapacious for sex. The news media portrays the idea of the expectancy of liquor’s influence which leads to an explanatory to the sexual act or discharging the sex act as just being drunken sex.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a bit different from sexual assault; sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance, remark, attention, movement or conduct. Sexual harassment can be physical spoken, or a non-verbal act. Frequently, sexual harassment consists of stress by managers at one 's place of employment, workers to respond to sexual advances in order to safeguard or receive a promotion in a job. The amount of sexual assault varies depending on the time of year. The summer has the highest crimes of sexual assault than the fall and winter (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 2009).
Sexual Assault in Men and Children
Children that are sexually assaulted may experience numerous influential feelings including fear, responsibility, disgrace, isolation and misperception. Criminals generally falsify, entice, or intimidate children to stop them from speaking out to someone. At times children feel as if they are responsible for what happened to them as a result of the assailant 's deception. After a grown-up sexually abuses a youngster, the state of affairs is one of inadequate power and uneven knowledge (Maniglio, 2014). A child cannot consent to any sexual activity and it is never the child 's fault. Sexual situations for children can be extremely hard and confusing. Children are taught to respect and look up to adults for guidance and it can be confusing when an adult misuses there authority to do inappropriate things to children. The circumstance is above all challenging and perplexing if the wrongdoer is a parent, family member, or family acquaintance. This can prevent a child from telling someone what is going on if they trust the offender (Maniglio, 2014). Children worry about the offender and try to protect them, when really they are the ones that need protected. Many children find difficulty in trusting others when they were deceived by someone they trusted, children find it hard to trust again. The loss of confidence in them and faith in others lies at the heart of numerous complications adult survivors may experience later on in their life. Regrettably, men who have experienced child sexual assault or abuse deal with problems specially generated by society 's inadequate gender expectations (Hopper, 2012). More or less the complications experienced by adult survivors of child sexual exploitation have been linked to the post-traumatic stress signs occasionally seen in war veterans.
Mental and Emotional Consequences of Sexual Assault
There are numerous short- and long-standing effects of sexual assault that distresses a person physically and cognitively. Countless survivors experience some of these effects and they are not equally limited. One could suffer from depression after a violent sexual assault. For some victims of sexual assault it is hard for them physically and mentally cope with the effects. If a person is assaulted they can have other less tangible impacts on their life. Survivors of sexual assault may feel depressed and lose their sense of creativity and inspiration (Gluck, 2000-2014).
Victims of rape have short or long term psychological effects. Self-blame is a psychological penalty that is most common (Ullman et al., 2014). The reason why so many victims place the blame on themselves after a rape or sexually assault is because it slows down the healing process. As an avoidance tool, victims use self-blame. Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety, stress or even having flashbacks or the tragic situation happening again are all common emotional or psychological effects of the sexual assault or rape (Ullman et al., 2014).
Survivors can experience nightmares and have a sense of worry that follows them during their daily activities. One’s outlook and stance on life can be immensely impacted by sexual assault. Some feel as if they are losing control over their life and feel violated all over again. A feeling of ineptness can start to develop if a survivor starts to feel as if their security and safety have been violated than the (Ullman et al., 2014). A survivor might grow an adverse viewpoint in which he or she may feel broken or undeserving of a restored life. This conviction method can add to feeling dispirited and anxious about the yet to come (Gluck, 2000-2014).
Support through Programs, Intervention/Prevention Strategies
There are many support programs out there for victims or survivors of sexual assault.
Most sexual assault programs goal is to help in the victims ' recovery from distress of sexual assault by means of therapeutic healing and support services (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2012). Survivors or victims can participate in support groups, individual or group counseling; receive crisis intervention, assistance with victim compensation, emergency financial assistance, crisis intervention, education on sexual assault or abuse and many more (Price et al., 2014). It is imperative for a victim of sexual assault to obtain medical care, irrespective of his or her choice to report the offense to the police. It is vital for the victim’s wellbeing and self-preservation to be treated and checked for potential wounds, even if none are noticeable (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2012).
Human service professionals are often involved in the cases f sexually assaulted or rape victims. Human service professionals must be empathetic and have a solid comprehension of ethical guidelines and considerations that involve sexual assaults. Human service works need to have compassion and be professional at all times. There is a delicate private nature involving cases of sexual assault and rape so human service professionals need to have discretion and approach such cases with consideration. One must be aware that is does not matter what age group one is in, economic status or one’s race sexual, weather one is male or female, sexual violence affects all the above.
Most states have a crisis intervention center that offers support services to sexually assaulted or rape victims. These service help people put their life back together. The emotional toll can severely impact a victim and it is crucial victims have support from family and friends so they get through the unthinkable (Price et al., 2014). Most services offered by human service professionals are at no charge. Discretion is a major part of support services and is essential to therapy. Ethical standards in human service require that human service professionals protect the confidentiality of the people who utilize human service agencies. The general theme of all the ethical standards is respecting others, honoring integrity and dignity of others (Martin, 2014). The only instances that human service professionals are to report cases are when the client threatens to harm themselves, others or reports of child abuse (National Center for Victims of Crime, 2012).
Conclusion
Understanding the realities and dispersing the labels that surround sexual assault is vital to guaranteeing that victims are treated with dignity, formality and receive the support services that one may require. When people uphold the law and hold offenders accountable for their wrong-doings as well as dismiss myths out there regarding sexual assault, this will help end sexual assault. People must provide facts to others about sexual assault to raise awareness. Mindfulness of the realities is one of numerous preventive methods that can be taken to support people making the right decision in regard to sexual assault. The repercussion of sexual assault and rape consists of physical and psychological effects. Victims must seek comprehensive care that deals with short and long term effects. There are times when victims may need treatment continuously for the rest of their lives depending on the severity of the incident and the person (Gluck, 2000-2014).
References
Afari, N., Ahumada, S.M., Wright, L.J., Mostoufi, S.MS. Golnari, G., Reis, V. & Cuneo, J.G. (2014). Psychological trauma and functional somatic syndromes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychosomatic Medicine, 76(1), 2-11. Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/Abstract/2014/01000/Psychological_Trauma_and_Functional_Somatic.2.aspx
Browne, A., & Finkelhor, D. (1986, January). Impact of child sexual abuse: A review of the research. Psychological Bulletin, 99(1), 66-77. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.66
Combs, Jessica L., "Trauma, personality, and behavior: A longitudinal study predicting adverse outcomes after sexual assault from personality prior to the assault" (2014). Theses and Dissertations—Psychology. Retrieved from http://uknowledge.uky.edu/psychology_etds/44
Gluck, S. (2000-2014). Effects of Rape: Psychological and Physical Effects of Rape. Retrieved from http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/rape/effects-of-rape-psychological-and-physical-effects-of-rape/
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