Sexual Violence and Abuse

What are some reasons as to why sexual violence and abuse is so grossly underreported?

1) An unawareness of what the process of reporting sexual violence and abuse entails. If I say anything about what has happened to my teacher, school counselor, or even a friend, then they might report, and it will become a police investigation. 2) Since 4 out 5 people who have experienced some form of sexual violence knows the person who abused them, it is often challenging to report someone you have some sort of relationship to. 3) Feelings of guilt, shame, self-blame, and worry about what will happen to the abuser if a report is made, are often reasons as to why reports of sexual violence and abuse are not made

Individuals who have experienced sexual violence/abuse are most likely to talk to a friend about their experience. As a friend, it is important that you...

1) Believe your friend. 2) Affirm that the abusive situation was not his or her fault. 3) Inform your friend of options and resources of further assistance. 4) Respect the rights of your friend to do what he/she thinks is best for them.

What is consent?

1) Give permission and agree to by free will based on choice. 2) Consent to some form of sexual activity does not necessarily imply consent to other forms of sexual activity. 3) All people involved must be fully conscious and actively communicate their consent.

Those who experience sexual violence are more likely to suffer from...

1) Insomnia and poor physical health 2) Substance abuse 3) Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating 4) Self-harming behaviors such as cutting, burning, or self-hitting 5) Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD

Which of the following has been noted to contribute to sexual violence?

1) Media that objectifies women and girls and glorifies violence against them. 2) Victim-blaming and poor criminal justice response. 3) Traditional gender norms and power imbalances.

Emotional violence is common in relationships. What are some warning signs of emotional abuse by your partner?

1) When you argue, they humiliate or yell, call you names, and intentionally insults you to put you down. 2) Accuses you of cheating and is often jealous of your outside relationships. 3) Refuses to trust you and acts jealous or possessive. 4) Constantly checks up on you, and monitors where you go, who you call and who you spend time with. 5) Damages your property when they're angry (throwing objects, punching walls, kicking doors, etc.)

Research has shown that sexual violence and abuse are more common in societies where there is a power imbalance between genders in society, and particularly when there is a strong patriarchal structure in place. What are some characteristics of a patriarchal society?

1) Women earning 79 cents for every dollar a man earns. 2) Male authority supersedes that of any other gender. 3) Men dominate in ownership of land and property. 4) Men hold primary power in political leadership.

Verbal tactics commonly used to coerce a partner into sex include:

1) using obligations, expectations, and guilt. 2) exploiting emotional and economic vulnerability. 3) using alcohol and drugs to loosen a partner's reluctance to have sex.

T or F: A large percentage of sexual assaults are falsely reported.

False

T or F: In the U.S., the legal age to consent to sexual behavior it 16.

False

T or F: Sexual offenders are individuals who most often act on impulse; they do not "plan" their assault.

False Studies have shown the approximately 70% of rapes are premeditated and planned (Adult Sexual Assault Information and Education Package N.S.W. Department of Health Sexual Assault Education Unit- 1988). A study of convicted rapists found that 71% of rapes were planned (Amir, M. 1971. Patterns of Forcible Rape. Chicago: University of Chicago Press).

Sexual violence doesn't just affect one part of the survivor's life. It deeply affects all areas of our lives: health, spirituality, mind and emotions, sexuality, and relationships. "Anxiety and panic attacks." is an example of

Mind and emotions

What is the number one thing you can do to prevent yourself from being sexually assaulted?

Nothing. The correct answer to this question is E. Nothing. There is nothing you can do or should have to do to prevent being sexually assaulted. The responsibility is 100% on the person(s) who sexually assaults. It is never your fault that someone sexually assaults you; NEVER! It does not matter what you wear, what you drink or do not drink, where you are at, and with whom you are with. Sexually assaulting someone under ANY circumstances is ALWAYS wrong; it is illegal.Sexual behaviors that are not consensual is abuse.

Sexual violence doesn't just affect one part of the survivor's life. It deeply affects all areas of our lives: health, spirituality, mind and emotions, sexuality, and relationships. "Insomnia and loss of appetite." is an example of

Physical health

Sexual violence doesn't just affect one part of the survivor's life. It deeply affects all areas of our lives: health, spirituality, mind and emotions, sexuality, and relationships. Afraid of touch is an example of

Relationship

Rape

Sexual penetration conducted on another without their consent.

Perpetrators of sexual assault are most often:

Someone who is known by the victim.

Sexual violence doesn't just affect one part of the survivor's life. It deeply affects all areas of our lives: health, spirituality, mind and emotions, sexuality, and relationships. "Loss of connection to the meaning of life" is an example of

Spirituality

T or F: Abuse is a learned behavior. Domestic violence and abuse stem from a desire to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abusive people believe they have the right to control and restrict their partners, and they may enjoy the feeling that exerting power gives them. They often believe that their own feelings and needs should be the priority in their relationships, so they use abusive tactics to dismantle equality and make their partners feel less valuable and deserving of respect in the relationship.

True

T or F: According to RAINN, every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child.

True

T or F: If you are intoxicated with alcohol, you are not able to give legal consent to engaging in sexual activity.

True

T or F: Sexual violence and abuse are common occurrences on American college campuses.

True

T or F: You may have heard the term "rape kit" to refer to a sexual assault forensic exam. The term rape kit actually refers to the kit itself—a container that includes a checklist, materials, and instructions, along with envelopes and containers to package any specimens collected during the exam. A rape kit may also be referred to as a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK). The contents of the kit vary by state and jurisdiction and may include: Bags and paper sheets for evidence collection Comb Documentation forms Envelopes Instructions Materials for blood samples Swabs

True

T or F: Sexual assault has the lowest conviction rate of any violent crime.

True Because of the high rate of non-reporting, only 2.5% of rapists are convicted. (U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, The Response to Rape: Detours on the Road to Equal Justice. Report to U.S. Congress: Washington D.C., 1993). Arrests are made in only 37% of the reported cases. At sentencing, about 1/5 of rapists are never incarcerated. About ¼ are sentenced to a local jail, generally meaning they will spend only 11 months behind bars. A robber is 30% more likely to be convicted than a rapist, while at sentencing a rapist is 50% more likely to receive probation than a convicted robber.

Stalking

Unwanted correspondence (all forms) that causes fear.

sexual assault

Unwanted, non-consensual touching of a sexual and physical nature.

Sexual Harassment

Unwanted, verbal/physical behaviors that interfere with one's living, working environment, or academic performance.

intimate partner violence (IPV)

When one partner in an intimate relationship uses abusive tactics to control the other.

Poverty and unemployment are two of the _______.

societal factors that may lead to violence