Esther L.

Stap 04/19/2013 Research Paper Outline

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Definition: In the United States, sexual assault is the least reported violent crime. Fewer than half of the victims report the abuse (Do Something and RAINN). Sexual assault is a sexual activity that doesnt have one of the peoples consent. Such activities include child molestation, attempted rape, sexual intercourse that is said no to, rape, inappropriate touching, and vaginal, anal, or oral penetration. Any unwanted contact of a sexual nature such as verbal and visual attention is considered sexual assault. Even when someone exposes themselves in public or watches private sexual acts are abuse. Sexual assault is not the victims fault, and many of the victims do not know that (Office on Women's Health).

Comparison:
A Similarity:

Is a trauma for victims, man or women.

B Dissimilarity:

1 in 33 men in the U.S. has been sexually assaulted in their lifetime, while 1 in 6 women in the U.S. have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

In 2003, 1 in every 10 rape victims were men. In 2003, 9 in every 10 rape victims were women. 17.7 million women: 2.78 million men (Sexual assault victims in the U.S.). (Who Are the Victims?).

C Degree:

Only 3% of rapists will ever serve a day in jail (Reporting Rates).

(Out Of Every 100 Rapes).

Victims are 3x more likely to suffer from depression; 6x more to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder; 13x abuse alcohol; 26x abuse drugs; 4x contemplate suicide (Who Are the Victims?).

2/3 committed by someone they know (The Offenders). Least reported violent crime in the U.S. (Do Something, and RAINN). Someone is assaulted in the U.S. every 2 minutes. (Do Something, and RAINN).

This issue is a much bigger problem than people show it to be. Many people have assumptions of sexually abused people (liars, why tell if there isnt enough evidence, if you didnt fight back its not rape, etc.). (Project Unspoken: I Am Tired Of the Silence.).

D Analogy: Why the statistics show that women are more sexually abused than men

are: Many males refuse to admit theyve been sexually assaulted; more closed

about what happened than women are; sense of shame; concerned about sexual orientations that they have or families have; afraid of telling because it might make you gay; if they are a male child it adds on another layer of fear and anxiety; Suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome (oversimplifies the issue); PTSD sufferers cannot differentiate between present and past events; actively are re-living the event; confusion about whats pleasure and whats pain; It can be even harder for men because they were supposed to enjoy that (Gray, Katti).
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Relationship:
A Cause:

Potential victims are not educated about sexual assault and how to prevent it. Therefore, more people are put in a position of possibly being sexually assaulted. (Unaware people is one cause) also being vulnerable, makes you an easy target.

Most offenders have been abused as a child, which makes them feel ashamed, and the feeling of need for power and control. So this is like a continuing cycle of sexual assault that keeps growing. The offenders sometimes feel alone and the need for love. Its more of a sense of control than it is sexual attraction (or anything sexual related). (Sabatino, Charles).

B Effect:

The effect on the victim never goes away completely. Many victims have to take depression, anxiety, and sleeping medications.

Common Physical Reactions: Aches and pains like head, back, and/or stomach aches; Sudden sweating and/or heart palpitations (fluttering);

Changes in sleep patterns, appetite, interest in sex; Constipation or diarrhea; Easily started by noises or unexpected touch; More susceptible to colds or illnesses; Increased use in alcohol or other drugs and/or overeating (Fanflik, Patricia L.).

Common Emotional Reactions: Shock; Fear; Anxiety; Denial; Grief; Restlessness; Outbursts of anger; Emotional mood swings; worrying; nightmares; Flashbacks; Feelings of helplessness, panic, feeling out of control; increased need to control everyday experiences; Minimizing the experience; Attempts to avoid anything associated with the trauma; Tendency to isolate oneself; Feelings of detachment; Concern with burdening others with problems; Emotional numbing; Difficulty trusting; Feeling betrayed; Self-Blame; guilt; shame; depression; unpleasant past memories resurfacing; expectation of doom and fear of the future (Fanflik, Patricia L.).

Many people think the victim is a liar, and they dont take it seriously until something like this happens to them or a loved one. People also think why tell if there isnt enough evidence to support it. Also, just because you didnt struggle or put up a fight it wasnt considered rape. People surrounding the victims make assumptions of them, which also increases some of the symptoms for the victim (depression, etc.). (Project Unspoken: Rape Culture).

Circumstances:
A Past Fact:

In 2003, 1 in every 10 rape victims were men. In 2003, 9 in every 10 rape victims were women. (Who Are the Victims?). Only 46% of sexual assaults have been reported over the past 5 years. (Do Something and RAINN).

B Present Fact:

93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker. 44% of sexual assault victims are under age 18. (Do Something and RAINN).

43% of rapes occur between 6:00pm and midnight. Places it occurs 4 in 10 take place in the victims home; 2 in 10 take place at a home of a friend, neighbor, or relative; and 1 in 12 take place in a parking (The Offenders).

Average age of an offender: 31 years old. 52% white; 22% married 84% of victims reported the use of physical force only; 11% involved a weapon: 3% gun, 6% knife, and 2% some other kind of weapon. (The Offenders).

73% of sexual assault were perpetrated by a non-stranger; 38% friend or acquaintance; 28% are in intimate; 7% are a relative. (The Offenders).

Stranger Danger is really a myth. Parents always say stay away from strangers to keep them safe, while really 93% of sexual abuse cases involve someone the child knows.

The adult offenders use a technique called grooming. Its a method to build trust with a child and the adults around the child to be able to access alone time with the child (Common Questions).

IT IS NEVER THE VICTIMS FAULT! (Pandora's Agnarium). Reporting makes you feel free again (Pandora's Agnarium).

C Future Fact: Looking at the past and present facts, it seems that the amount of

sexual assault victims will only keep increasing.

D Possible (and impossible) outcomes: It is impossible for sexual assault to ever

come to an end in the world, but we can make people aware of the issue and strategize ways to prevent it from happening as often, as well as taking care of the surviving victims.
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Testimony:
A Authority:

Only 9.8% of 117 hospitals provided victims of sexual assault these services: Acute medical care; History and physical examination; Acute and long-term rape crisis counseling; Prophylactic and therapeutic management for HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STI); Provision of emergency contraception, with appropriate counseling.

Nearly 80% of sexual assault victims treated in the responding hospital EDs receive less than optimal care.

Hospital patients permission must be obtained before contacting the police. Many victims dont report because of the belief that the police are limited in their ability to intervene effectively; a perception that victims of sexual

assault are often considered at fault; Fear that the assailant may assault the victim again; misplaced feelings of fear and shame.

Much evidence has to be collected. (DNA, or specific parts of the body, pieces of clothing).

Photographs of injuries have to be taken and shown to the police. The presence of a family member or friend isnt recommended during the interview with the police, because the victim may hold back information. (Being quoted).

The likelihood for a sexual assault victim to have contracted an STI is 26.3%.

Counseling is recommended. (Kwence, Sherri)

B Case Study (Personal):

(Portage, MI) Lauren Kyle was just hanging out with a boy from the neighbor hood (a friend from elementary school this shows it could be anyone!). An ordinary walk on a warm summer evening turned into a sexual assault in the woods. Kyle started a No Means No campaign for Sexual Assault Awareness Month; April. Too many people joke about rape. Too many people dont think it really happens until it happens to them. The boy snatches her cell phone and ran into the woods. When she finally caught up with him, he forced himself on her. He laughed saying its not so bad. It was like an out of body experience. It was like I was watching it from above. She was in shock. He apologized and asked to not tell anyone. Kyle

then got away and texted several friends about the incident, and they convinced her to tell her parents (but she was afraid of their reaction). The reason of the evening was dealing with the police and a sexual assault exam at the hospital. (Tested for HIV/AIDS and pregnancy.). She had a lot of support from the police and medical professionals. So I can call this rape? The nurse said, Absolutely. Thats absolutely what it was relief came on Kyles face (she was worried on how it was somehow her fault). The ordeal didnt end that night. She refused to be alone at all times. Even if she was going into another room 20 feet away she needed someone with her. There were symptoms including nightmares, panic attacks and anxiety. She takes medications for depression, anxiety, and to help her sleep, and she regularly sees a councilor. She is fortunate by having the support of family, friends, authorities, and the school officials. The gossip at school was kept minimum (the boy went to a different school). They were disappointed that the youth was not convicted for first degree criminal sexual conduct, but he will have something on his record. The parents said they didnt want Lauren to go through trail or have the boy go free (Mack, Julie).

Delaware, (17) teenager was hit by a car, forced into the vehicle and sexually assaulted before being let go. She was taken to the hospital for treatment (FOX News Network).

In Steubenville, Ohio, a 16 year old girl was raped at a party; witnesses posted images of the assault on social media (national attention). Every survivor responds differently to rape. (Feeling of guilt and fear). The

victims memory of the assault will never disappear during their lifetime. The process never ends. (Wilson, Jacque).
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Refutation of opposition:

Most offenders know what they are doing is wrong but they cant help themselves. It just happens.(National Geographic).

Its more of a sense of control than it is sexual attraction (or anything sexual related) (Sabatino, Charles).

The good/solutions:

Becoming aware of the issue of sexual assault because it happens often, and you never think its going to be you. (Awareness should be public, and talked about).

Be supportive to victims; listen and offering comfort. Be aware of your surroundings; walk with confidence; know your limits with alcohol; be assertive; trust your instincts; dont prop open self-locking doors; lock your door, windows at all times; watch your keys; watch out for unwanted visitors; be wary of isolated spots; Avoid walking or jogging alone (at night as well); have your keys ready; park in well-lit areas; Drive on well-traveled streets; keep car in good shape with plenty of gas; Make sure you have your cell phone (Office on Women's Health).

The more people feel comfortable with reporting the better, because chances are the offender will abuse you again or someone else. This is an issue that needs to be talked about, and it should be supported to be reported to the police.

The expedient/call to action:

Exposure is the way to stop repeat offenders. (Yoffe, Emily).

Dont wait to tell if you have been sexually abused or know of someone that has been but have never reported it.

Call: National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-HOPE (4673) Make others aware of the issue as well as the information provided to prevent and help the situation.