S.A.A.R.A. Research Paper

S.A.A.R.A. Research Paper

Sexual Abuse, Assault, and Rape Awareness

Countless men, women, and children are victims of sexual crimes everyday. Although many victims never speak out about their attacks due to fear, shame, or public rejection, there are still steps victims can take to move towards healing. In order to encourage victims to report these sexual crimes, it is imperative that there be an increase in public awareness about what defines a sex crime, the effects of sexual crimes, and what to do if you are a victim.

Sexual crimes have always wreaked havoc on the lives of the victims. These crimes continue to destroy the lives of individuals, as well as, our society as a whole. Society often views a sexual crime as only being Rape or Child molestation, however, this is very untrue. A sexual crime is an incident of unwanted, forced, or exposure to sexual contact directed towards another person. Even in the event of a marriage, if a woman does not consent to sexual activity, it is a sexual crime (RVA). These crimes include Rape, Sexual Assault, Acquaintance/Date Rape, Child Abuse, Hate Crimes, Incest, Male Sexual Assault, Partner Rape, Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Harassment, Stalking, Stranger Rape, and Sexual Battery. There are even Drug Facilitated Assaults, where victims can be subdued via drugs such as: Alcohol, Rohypnol, GHB, GBL, Benzodiazepines, Ketamine, and Ecstasy (Types). Sexual crimes against adults and children are not crimes of passion or sex, they are crimes of power (Coping 15). The perpetrator uses sex as a way to overpower and take control of their victim.

Due to the secretive nature of sexual crimes and the inability for members of society to talk about these crimes; many believe that sexual crimes are a rare occurrence. The unfortunate reality is that 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys are victims or will become victims of a sexual crime before the age of 18 (Escaping). Nine years old is the median age of child sexual assault victims (Darkness 3). Society holds beliefs that sexual crimes are committed by strangers, when in fact, 34% of sexual crimes involve a family member or caregiver (Darkness 4). Members of society do not realize how often these crimes occur, how often they are over looked, and the toll these crimes have taken on the lives of the victims.

Due to the dangerous nature of sexual crimes, one would expect physical effects to be severe in nature, but that is not always the case. The physical effects of sexual crimes may include: traumatic injury, body memories, sexually transmitted infections/diseases, pregnancy, headaches, sleep/appetite disturbances, nausea, and other reactions associated with the attack (Effects). Sometimes victims may require medical attention for their physical injuries, which will be costly. Fortunately, the Georgia Crime Victim's Compensation Fund helps victims with the financial expenses (Coping 11). Victims can also receive help from the Women's Refuge Center, which provides a save haven for victims of these crimes.

More often than physical effects, victims tend to experience emotional devastation. Some of these psychological effects include: flashbacks, guilt, shame, depression, Battered Women's Syndrome, Borderline Personality Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Complex PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Rape Trauma Syndrome, Stockholm Syndrome, and many other similar symptoms (Effects). Additionally, male survivors often have trouble dealing with their sexuality and masculinity after an assault (Coping 14). There are also indicators to look for in child sexual abuse such as: changes in comfort levels, changes in school work, social changes, avoidance, sexualized behavior, language, age inappropriate sexual knowledge, unexplained pregnancy, STDs, or unexplained physical trauma (RVA). Victim's can also suffer from self-induced after-effects including: substance abuse, self-harm, suicidal ideation, risk taking acts, and provocative behavior to encite self-punishment (Types). Victims can receive help for these life altering conditions through counseling from their local Rape Crisis Center, Sunshine House, or Women's Refuge Center.

Even with awareness of the prevalence of sexual crimes, no one ever expects to become a victim, nor do they know what to do after they have been victimized. For example, an individual who has been raped may need a pelvic exam and provide fingernail clippings and foreign hairs, make documentation of bruises and lacerations, give DNA samples (blood and semen), and tests for pregnancy/STDs (Coping 17). All victims should then file a police report with the local police. The police report will be followed by police questioning, an investigation, arrest, preliminary hearing, grand jury, calendar call, plea negotiations, pre-trial conference, and finally the jury trial (Coping 19-20). This process can take anywhere from 6 months to 5 years and will take an emotional toll on the victim, their family, and all persons involved.

Current laws offer restitutions for victims seeking justice for their assaults. The following convictions carry these penalties: Sexual Battery-12 months, Rape-25 to Life, Child Molestation-5 to 20 years, Aggravated Child Molestation-25 to Life, and Statutory Rape-1 to 20 years (Hardwick). Many people believe that most sexual perpetrators will spend time in jail. However, 72% of sexual crimes go unreported. If the crime is reported, there is a 50.8% chance of an arrest. If there is an arrest, there is an 80% chance of a prosecution. If a case makes it to prosecution, there is only a 58% chance of a felony conviction. If there is a felony conviction, there is only a 69% chance that the offender will spend time in jail. This in turn means that 1 out of 20 offenders spend time in jail and 19 out of 20 offenders will walk free (Escaping). Even though it seems like the law and the judicial system protects the predator, it is still worthwhile fighting this uphill battle to keep another rapist off the street.

Conviction or no conviction, life goes on. Unfortunately, sometimes there is no justice for what has happened (Anderson). The Sex Offender Registry makes neighborhoods and communities aware of the sexual predators that live there (Hardwick). Unfortunately, people have a false sense of security with the registry, because very few offenders ever reach that phase of conviction and even fewer victims ever speak out. Ultimately, it is an adult's responsibility to keep children safe from sexual abuse (Darkness 2). Just as children should never be blamed for an assault, one should never force a child to talk about their experiences if they aren't ready to (RVA). Overall your personal awareness is key to raising the awareness of others. When you feel something isn't right or your gut feeling tells you to speak out, trust it and act on it (Stop 2). Awareness is one of the key components to steps towards the prevention of sexual crimes.

Despite the legal process, all victims will face the struggles of healing. Steps towards healing may involve learning to channel anger productively, finding a support system via a counselor or friends, making sense of what has happened, getting rid of the guilt and shame, relinquishing any sense of responsibility, finding a purpose, learning self-defense, or helping spread awareness to others (Anderson). Also developing a safety plan, such as, what to do, where to go, and who can help may help reduce the risk of future victimization. Keeping your computer clear of viruses/spam and by clearing your caches, history, and cookies is another way to protect yourself from predators (Ways). The most important thing for a victim to remember is that It is never you fault (Coping 12). This can often be the hardest hurdle a victim will face on the road to recovery.

Non-victims are a critical component in raising awareness of sexual crimes. The following are ways to reduce the risks of child sexual abuse and help us better protect our children: learn the facts and understand the risks, minimize opportunity, stay alert, make a plan, act on suspicions, and get involved (Darkness 3-13). One way to spread awareness to others involves handing out brochures, making posters, and talking about sexual crimes to others (Hardwick). Probably the most important thing in spreading awareness is for people to not buy into the public myth that rape victims should feel shameful or that sexual abuse victims have done something wrong. It is our obligation to challenge these myths (Anderson). This can be done by victims' advocates speaking out, sharing experiences, and help breaking the silence barrier that many victims have built.

Despite societal efforts to avoid discussion about sexual crimes, they do exist and inflict tremendous pain and suffering to all victims. We can no longer refuse to acknowledge the extent of this problem and must challenge the persistent cloak of secrecy that perpetuates the cycle of violence. Raising awareness about what defines a sexual crime, the long term effects, and what steps a victim can take, involves more than just education; it also means that we need to help victims find their own voice.

Works Cited

Anderson, Cheri. Personal Interview. 6 September, 2008

Coping. Savannah, Georgia: Rape Crisis Center of The Coastal Empire, Inc., 1998.

Darkness to Light. 7 Steps to Protecting Our Children. South Carolina: Charleston, 2004.

Effects of Sexual Assault. RAINN. 16 April, 2008. Rape Abuse, & Incest National Network. 27 September, 2008.

http://www.rainn.org/get-information/effects-of-sexual-assault1

Facts and Statistics. Escaping Hades. 2004. Escaping Hades. 26 September, 2008

http://www.pandys.org/escapinghades/statistics.html

Hardwick, Emily. Personal Interview. 9 September, 2008.

RVA. 2008. Rape Victims Advocates. 25 September, 2008.

http://www.rapevictimsadvocates.org/about.html

Types of Sexual Assault. RAINN. 16 April, 2008. Rape, Abuse, & Incest national Network. 28 September, 2008.