What is Sexual Violence?

Sexual violence is any kind of unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that is not a result of mutual consent. Sexual violence can be very traumatic and can have many impacts on people. It is important for people to know what sexual violence is, so that they can understand it better and be more aware of the issue. It is also important for people to know that they can help and support someone who has been affected by sexual violence.

Anyone can experience sexual violence. However, some people are at higher risk of experiencing sexual violence than others. This includes women and girls, children, people with disabilities and those who are LGBT+. People who are homeless and people in rural areas are also at higher risk of experiencing sexual violence.

There are different types of sexual violence, including rape, domestic abuse and child sexual abuse. No one deserves or asks for sexual violence to happen to them. Sexual violence can be very traumatic for everyone involved and can have lasting impacts on the victim and their family. It can lead to mental and physical health issues, self-harm, low confidence, and difficulty trusting other people. It can also lead to relationship problems, including a lack of trust in partners and other close friends. It can also lead to substance abuse, eating disorders and feelings of shame or guilt. It can also lead to thoughts of suicide and feelings of anger or rage.

Not all sexual assaults and rapes will cause visible injuries, so it can be difficult for people to identify if they have been hurt. However, it is very common for victims and survivors to feel a range of physical reactions to sexual violence such as shaking, being sick or feeling pain in their body, head, mouth or chest. They may also have problems with their sleep or eating, and they might feel very tired. They might also have flashbacks or re-experience the sexual assault in their thoughts, dreams and memories.

After an incident of sexual violence, a survivor can have trouble trusting other people, especially after they have been betrayed in this way. Survivors can have feelings of anger or rage that they cannot explain and may withdraw from relationships with people they used to be close to. They can also be more impulsive, and they might have outbursts of anger or violence. They may have changes in their relationships with their parents and siblings, or they might start separating from them. They can be less caring and protective of their young children, and they may take a lot more risks than usual.

Researchers have different ideas about why people perpetrate sexual violence, including: anger, power, sadism, sexual pleasure, psychopathy and evolutionary pressures. Some rapists believe that their victim is a tool to debase and humiliate them and that sex and violence are the only way they can express their anger or rage.

Preventing sexual violence can be done by creating communities and environments where everybody is treated with respect and equality. This can be done by promoting safe relationships and healthy behaviours, identifying unsafe situations and learning how to intervene safely. It is everyone’s responsibility to take part in prevention, and this includes supporting survivors and challenging negative behaviour and attitudes.