Long Term Consequences of Sexual Assault - Coursework Example

Psychology: Longterm consequences of sexual assault Sexual assault can be said tobe any forceful sexual act whereby an individual is given threats, coerced or forced in engagement without their willingness or any inappropriate sexual touching of an individual without their consent. Sexual assault includes abuse of children sexually, forceful kissing, coerced oral, anal or vaginal penetration and groping. Legally sexual assault is a crime in many jurisdictions in the world with England, Canada, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the US taking the lead against sexual offenders. Legal definition of this sexual crime is determined independently by each of the above jurisdictions. Particular research and legal jurisdictions, most of the time utilizes very detailed or technical definitions of the act. In places like South Wales, the traditional rape crime has been replaced by the sexual assault crime. Contrasting with other jurisdictions, the sexual assault crime may even deal with sexual contact that is non-penetrative. In the US, there is a wide variation in definition of the sexual assault amongst the various individual states. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network makes a definition of the crime of sexual act thus “any unwarranted sexual contact that is almost similar to rape or attempted rape. This also includes fondling and sexual touching. The National Center for Victims of Crime has this definition;”Sexual assault takes many forms which include attacks such as rape or attempted rape, as well as any unwanted sexual contact or threats. Usually a sexual assault occurs when someone touches any part of another person’s body in a sexual way, even through clothes, without that person’s consent,” Types of sexual assault include; rape, attempted rape, abuse of children sexually, abuse of the elderly sexually, groping and sexual harassment. Keywords: consent, oral, anal, vagina penetration, coerced, non-penetrative Consequences of long term sexual assault include; 1. Feelings of shame, guilt, isolation, depression and self low esteem There are several psychological and emotional reactions that result from sexual assault. The most common of these feelings is depression. Victims of sexual assault at some time or another experience sadness which may lead to them crying, loss of weight and appetite, persistent fatigue, change in sleep patterns such as lack of sleep or sleeping very much, lack of interest in activities, social withdrawal, feeling worthless, pessimism and feelings of indifference, inability to concentrate and so on. 2. Poor body image since the body was the object used for sexual abuse Victims of sexual assault usually feel worthless, have got a low self esteem and lack confidence in what they are doing. They feel that they are nothing and that their bodies are useless. 3. Sexual confusion and promiscuity resulting from not dealing with the feelings and emotions surrounding the abuse. Prolonged sexual assault will lead to an individual being sexually confused and does not seem to make clear and sober decisions pertaining sexual matters. They could also result to having several sexual partners and this could endanger them more especially health wise. 4. Flashbacks Flashbacks can be defined as having memories of past traumas and having an experience as if they were taking place at the present time. Victims of sexual assault will have confusing sexual or rape fantasies. These memories takes the form of dreams, smells, images, overwhelming emotions and body sensations. This re-experience of trauma most often come suddenly from nowhere and thus blurring the lines between the present and the past, making the victim feel anxious, powerless and scared. This can lead to other emotions that resulted from the traumatic experience. Some flashbacks could appear for a passing moment and can be brief and mild while others may be strong and last for a long period of time. Many of the times the victims do not realise they are having flashbacks and may feel faint or dissociated. 5. Eating disorders Sexual assault victims could have problems with eating. This could result to lack of appetite or eating too much leading to them being obese. These eating disorders may also lead to anorexia which is exhibited by inappropriate feeding habits, obsession with having a very small and thin figure and irrational fear of gaining weight. 6. Alcoholism and drug abuse Sexual assault victims could result to abusing drugs and taking too much alcohol. This is so as to drown the memories of the sexual assault ordeal, and to try and forget what happened. They may get lost in the temporary comfort and illusions that drugs and alcohol offer but after the effect is over, they get back to their normal self. To avoid this, they immerse themselves fully to alcoholism and drug abuse to escape from the reality that dawns on them. 7. Making poor decisions in relationships Victims of prolonged sexual assault may not make any proper decisions while in relationships. They could frustrate the other party due to their lack of commitment and irrational decisions based on their past experiences. 8. Lack of and poor intimacy Victims of sexual assault may lose all interest in matters about sex and could have problems with intimacy and romance, this because anything to do with sex reminds them of their horrible past sexual experiences. This can even lead to dysfunctional relationships and could lead even to divorce for married couples. A psychologist should be consulted for help. 9. Self destructive behavior and suicidal tendencies and behavior. Prolonged sexual assault leads to self-destructive behaviors such as excessive abuse of drugs, lack of interest in people and life in general. Some victims may get very depressed to the point of contemplating suicide and ending their own lives. That’s why it’s very crucial that victims of sexual assault get therapy soonest possible. Various surveys have been done to ascertain the actual estimated figures of victims of sexual assault in several cities and countries in the world. A similar methodology has been used to assist in compatibility and mostly had questions about sexual violence. The UN has extensively conducted several surveys to ascertain the levels of sexual assault in various societies. According to these surveys, the percentage of females who reported having been sexually assaulted ranged from less than 2% in such places as Botswana(0.8%),Bolivia(1.4%),China(1.6%)Philippines(0.3%) to more than 5% in Argentina(5.8%),Turkey(6.0%),Brazil(8.0%) and Colombia(5.0%). In the US a national survey found out that 14.8% of all women aged 17 years and above had reported being raped in their lifetime (with additional 2.8% having experienced an attempt to rape them) .The US Department of Justice reports that on average 237,868 victims aged 12 years or more are sexually assaulted each year. Using these calculations, it means that an American is assaulted sexually every 2 minutes. By age it means; 44% are 18 years and below, 80% are 30 years and below, 15% are 12 years and below, 29% are aged 12-17 and Of these 12-34 are the highest risk years. Girls aged 16-19 are four times more likely to be victimized either by being sexually assaulted, raped or attempted rape. By gender in 2003, 9/10 of rape victims were women. 17.7 million Females have been victimized sexually, raped or an attempt to rape them has been done.1/10 of the victims were males. In the US 2.78 millions of males have been sexually assaulted or raped. According to the US Department of Justice for a survey carried out in 2005,it was found out that; on average a rapist is aged is 31 years of age and; That 2/3 of all rapes were carried out by someone the victim knows, 73% of all assaults were committed by a non-stranger, 38% of all rapists were acquaintances or friends, 28% were intimate and 7% were relatives. The following are the effects in percentages; 3 times of the victims are likely to get depressed 6 times of the victims are likely to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, 13 times of the victims are likely to go into abuse of alcohol, 26 times of the victims are likely to go into drug abuse, 4 times of victims are likely to think of committing suicide. Sexual assault has had profound effect on families even resulting to domestic violence, which is a crime of intimidation and power. Domestic violence could be physical, emotional, financial, sexual and psychological. In families there has been denial, disliking sex, anger, anxiety, shame and self-blame. There is also lack of trust since these are close family members. Family members will also experience emotional scarring which includes a very strong desire to avenge, a strong emotion of revenge, to sort the whole problem and move on with life. References Bass Ellen, D. L. (1988). The Courage to HEAL. New York: HaperColins Publishers Inc. Becker CB, Z. C. (2004;42:277-292). A survey of psychologists attitudes towards and utilization of exp[osure therapy for PSTD.Behaviour Research and Therapy. New York: PubMed. Classen C, P. O. (2005). Sexual Revictimization review.Trauma,Violence & Abuse. New York: PubMed. Kraus Richard, L. A. (2000). Free Yoursef From an Abusive Relationship. New York: Hunter House INC . http://www.winonacountysaic.com/sexually-assaulted-victims-help/effects-of-sexual-assault/ http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Long-Term-Effects-of-Sexual-Abuse http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2773678/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_assault http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_violence http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=3 Abstract Read More