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Sexual violence
Its impacts and effects

Sexual violence affects victims as well as those close to them such as family and friends. Anyone can experience sexual violence: children, seniors, teens and adults, young and older people... Women, men and people of all gender identities are targeted. The person who commits the violence is often known to the victim - he or she may live nearby, be a family member or close friend, a health care professional, etc.

definition

Some definitions

Sexual assault

A sexual assault is an act of a sexual nature, with or without physical contact, committed without the consent of the targeted person.

This may include kissing, touching, penetration without consent, exhibitionism, frotteurism, voyeurism or viewing pornographic material under coercion.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is the act of imposing on a person, without his or her consent, remarks or behaviors with a sexual connotation.

It can be experienced in physical places (bus, subway, bar, school, factory, office, etc.) or virtual (images or texts by email, texting, social media).

Sexual exploitation

 Sexual exploitation occurs when someone uses a person's sexuality without obtaining their consent or respecting their well-being.

It is the exercise of control over a person through physical force, blackmail or manipulation for financial, social or personal gain.

Source : https://infoaideviolencesexuelle.ca

Cyber sexual violence

 Cyber violence refers to any form of violence in the digital world.

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 Whether your intimate images are shared without your consent or you receive unwanted sexual messages, it is an attack on your dignity.

Consent

In sexual matters, consent refers to a person's voluntary agreement to participate in sexual activity, with or without physical contact, at a specific time.

Consent can be given verbally or non-verbally and can be withdrawn at any time. In all cases, the absence of clear consent means refusal.

In addition, consent must be free, informed and capable. This means that it is not valid if the person has been manipulated, has had information withheld from him or her, or is unconscious, for example. In this sense, any sexual activity that takes place without a person's consent is sexual violence.

IMPACT

Impacts and effects

CALACS Longueuil Centre d'aide et de lutte contre les agressions a caractere sexuel Femmes soutien Violences sexuelles Consentement Agression sexuelle exploitation sexuelle harcelement sexuel cyber violence sexuelle consequences Rive-Sud Monteregie

Sexual violence can have an immense impact on the quality of life of survivors.

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It is often a traumatic event that can have long-term consequences. The fact of having been assaulted implies that the woman's life was in danger, that her integrity and privacy were violated.

 

The emotions most often reported by survivors following a sexual assault:

-       Fear ;

-       Shame ;

-       Humiliation;

-       Anxiety;

-       Anger ;

-       Guilt.

 

It is important to realize that reactions following sexual assault are different  from one person to another. Each person has their own story that belongs to them.

 

Respecting your pace is important in this process. Listening to your needs is essential and is a first step to feeling better.

 

Women who have experienced sexual assault will have to deal with the psychological, sexual, relational or other consequences that may arise following the assault.

 

Here are some examples of possible consequences:

 

-       Panic ;

-       “Flashback”;

-       Insomnia ;

-       Nightmares;

-       Impacts on sexuality;

-       Difficulty concentrating;

-       Depressive symptoms;

-       Suicidal thoughts;....

 

To get through these difficult times, some will resort to

“coping mechanisms” that can cause further difficulties,

such as alcoholism and drug addiction.

For many, the physical effects add to the list of harms already experienced : injuries, lesions, STIs, HIV/AIDS etc.

 

Sexual assaults also have social consequences. Fear becomes part of women's life and forces her to “adjust” her lifestyle to increase her safety or sense of safety.

CULTURE

Rape culture

Rape culture is described as

"a set of behaviors that trivialize, excuse, and justify sexual violence, or turn it into a joke and entertainment"

(Council on the Status of Women, 2022).

 

The responsibility for the assault is placed on the victim, and her word is often invalidated or questioned.

One of the ways in which rape culture manifests itself is through sexist practices that discourage women from reporting their abusers and encourage the glorification or de-responsibility of abusers.

For example, when women decide to report, they will receive comments such as "Don't do it, you'll break up the family.'' "Are you sure, you're going to break up his career?''

MYTHE
Myths
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