Sexual Assault Effects

Studies have shown a clear correlation between childhood sexual assault (CSA) and negative sexual experiences later in life. Of relevance to the criminal justice system, these later forms of sexual victimization include sexual assault and sex work. The relationship between CSA and adverse sexual development is a correlation between two things, not a direct pathway from cause to effect. While survivors of sexual assault are at a higher risk of experiencing these later forms of victimization, this correlation represents a highly complex process involving a wide range of mediating factors and the intersections between them. Any experience of sexual assault is highly traumatic. Survivors of CSA, however, represent a unique population, because their trauma occurs near the start of the human developmental process and therefore alters all development thereafter.

Sexual violence can cause a survivor to have psychological, emotional, and physical effects. These effects aren't easy to cope with or

The long term psychological effects associated with sexual assault includes, depression, substance use, anxiety, PTSD, and decreased self esteem (Foa & Riggs, 1993; Resick, 1993). The authors of this article supports current literature which proposes that African American children receives inadequate or inappropriate sexuality socialization and sexual abuse prevention in their cultures and families which may affect their disclosure of sexual assault in adulthood (Washington, 2001;Wyatt, 1992).

Unfortunately, the universal connotation of sexual assault is negative. Females often don’t want to be associated with sexual assault because they might be considered weak, shameful, or

     There are two sides to a rape, the rapist and the victim. The victim is most of the time a woman but men are raped as well. It is a common myth that there is a type of woman that is more likely to be raped. This is indeed a myth, most of the time rape is a crime of opportunity, the victim is not chosen because of her looks or behavior, but because she is there (Benedict 2). The average rape victim is 18-39 years old and female, the average rapist is 25 years old and male. The effect of rape on a woman is an enormous one. The woman will come away from a rape with both physical and psychological damage. Eventually the physical wounds will heal, the psychological wounds will take quite some time before or if they ever heal (Grady 4). A sexual assault robs the woman of a sense of control; a feeling of loss of freedom is common among rape victims. To put her life in order she must regain this sense of control. Almost all rape victims suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (Benedict 2). The first symptom is the reliving or re-experiencing of the

Victims of sexual assault suffer from a wide variety of mental and emotional issues throughout their lives as a result of the experience. Results can range from depression, anger, feelings of loneliness, and difficulty when trying to formulate relationships of trust (Hyde 45). Victims experience a wide variety of psychological issues as a result of sexual crimes, which they will have to carry with them throughout their entire lives. Also, “Psychological problems can start later in life with changes in behavior- vague fears, feeling unprotected and helpless, nightmares, bedwetting, sleeping problems, fear to loss parents approval/love, need to please others, poor self esteem, anger, depression, withdrawal from activities, daydreaming, difficulty concentrating, behavior problems” (Hyde 47).

After a person experiences sexual assault, the social reactions the survivor receives when they disclose their assault can cause posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Negative responses have the ability to deter a survivor on their recovery path and influence coping strategies that do more harm than help, and can discourage a survivor from seeking help from others. Positive reactions can provide a powerful effect against negative outcomes, could affect the sense of control over the recovery process, influence positive social coping skills, as well as reduce the symptoms of PTSD. These encouraging reactions improve adaptive coping strategies and perceived control over recovery, and in turn reduce the risk of maladaptive coping. However,

For victims it can take years or even decades to be able to recover from their assault, not just physically, but also mentally. Recovering

By someone they know. Husbands, former partners, and even friends. Victims of sexual assault survivors often suffer from a wide range of physical and mental health problems such as PTSD, Depression, Chronic pain, anxiety and also eating disorders. They are more

Victims develop a number of disorders because of their encounters with rape or sexual assault. Almost half of the women utilize Veteran Affair centers for stress disorders related to rape or sexual assault they experienced while serving. (Turchik & Wilson). There are many disorders a rape or assault victim can develop. Some of the disorders are depression, symptoms of anxiety, substance abuse, sexual dysfunctions, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Depression and symptoms of anxiety are most common, and the rates are very high for both male and female victims. (Stander & Thomson). Depression can be very dangerous because leads to other disorders like substance abuse, and often times depression can lead to suicide. Another important psychological effect rape or sexual assault can have on male victims is that they start to feel conflicted about their sexual identity. If a man is sexually aroused while being raped or sexually assaulted, they start doubting their sexual identity and start believing that they might be homosexual. Another outcome for a male victim can be the development of homophobia. The victim's anger toward their male assailant can lead to the development of hatred for gay people.( Turchik & Wilson). Rape or assault victims also have a difference in performance as an active-duty service member. Victims tend to be less attentive and always afraid of being raped or assaulted again. Also, working with their assailant might cause tension for the victims resulting in a less efficient work environment.(Stander &

Ullman (2007) and Ullman and Filipas (2005) declared that the negative social reactions that others had toward adults that were sexually abused are positively associated with their PTSD symptoms. This was established after exploring and learning about abuse severity, the self-blame that survivors endure, and the coping mechanisms of the survivors. Many people fail to realize that everyone that interact with those who suffer with PTSD, whether it be within the neighborhood or community, school, or home, are affected.

     Sexual assault is a term that is used interchangeably with the word rape. The decision on whether or not to use the term rape or sexual assault is made by a state’s jurisdiction. Sexual assault is more readily used in an attempt to be more gender neutral (National Victim Center). Sexual assault can be most easily described as forced or unconsentual sexual intercourse. The individual that is performing these acts on the victim may either be a stranger or an acquaintance. In 1994, 64.2 percent of all rapes were committed by someone the offender had previously known (Ringel, 1997). Regardless, this type of crime can have extreme effects on the victim.

The alarming increase in sexual assault among male and female students is a source of concern. Despite improvements in the general statistics on rape cases, the college setting remains to be the hot bed of sexual assault, especially among the female counterparts (Allen, 2007). A victim, regardless being a male or a female, never feel safe in their life as something precious was taken from them once. Statistics show that 17.6% of women are likely to be victims of rape in their entire lifetime while only 0.3% of males are estimated to be the victims of sexual assault. According to the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS), the most critical ages men and females are likely to be engaged in sexual abuse is when they are children or adolescents (Gonzales, Schofield & Schmitt, 2006).

This literature review provides a brief overview of six scholarly articles and other facts about sexual assault .This review will first define sexual assault as it is defined in these articles. It will analyze the strengths and limitations of the definition used and will discuss the occurrence of sexual assault in the general population.This review will also illustrate the protective factors, barriers to recovery , impact of development and the specific sexual assault population that are absent in these articles. Sexual assault is a societal issue that impacts men and women at every age in their life, it’s much more highly reported among college aged women. The majority of women who are victims of rape are

I choose this topic because sexual assault is one of the most offensive crimes committed in our society. Not only is it a threat to the community, but it has a physically and psychologically effect on the victim in many ways. For the last couple of decades, sexual assault, rape, and child molestation has become the focal point of public concerns today. According to a 1993 National Crime Victimization Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, about 500,000 rapes or sexual assaults occur each year (Statistics, March 2010). The Department of Justice states that, “rape crimes have risen nearly three times as fast as the total crime rate”, although other studies have shown statistics that are in