SEXUAL ASSAULT

INVESTIGATION (FSSA 412)

Prelim Coverage
Course Topics
1. Prevalence, Dynamics and Consequences of Sexual Abuse
2. Myths and Misconceptions about Rape
3. Child Sexual Abuse
4. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
5. Computer-Facilitated Sexual Crimes Against Children
6. Legal Aspects of Sexual Abuse: The Anti-Rape Law of 1997 and the Rape
Victim Assistance and Protection Act of 1998
7. Investigation of Sexual Abuse
8. Evidence in Sexual Abuse Cases
9. Interpretation of the medico-legal findings
10. Major issues in the evaluation of medico-legal findings
 Important

PRELIM EXAM MIDTERM EXAM FINAL EXAM

February 29 – March 6, 2024 April 18-24, 2024 May 30 – June 5, 2024

DEADLINE OF CLEARANCE
ACADEMIC HEALTH BREAK
FOR GRADUATING
AND HOLY WEEK
STUDENTS
March 25-30, 2024
June 5, 2024
 Prevalence, Dynamics and
Consequences of Sexual Abuse
Week 2
 Sexual Abuse (sexual assault or sexual violence)
• Sexual abuse is any sexual activity that occurs without consent.
• Also referred to as sexual assault or sexual violence, it includes unwanted
sexual touching, forced oral sex, and rape, among other sexual acts.
• Sexual Violence (SV) is defined as any sexual act or any attempt for the
purpose of obtaining a sexual act through violence or coercion, which,
according to WHO, encompasses a variety of situations, namely rape or
marital infidelity, rape by strangers, sexual abuse, sexual or physical abuse
of those with disabilities, sexual abuse of children, forced marriage and
child marriage, denial of the right to use contraceptive equipment or
prevention of sexually transmitted diseases as well as forced abortion
 Prevalence of Sexual Violence

•Prevalence estimates the number of people

who have experienced sexual assault at
some point in their lives (or since a specified
age).
•Globally, about 35.6% of women have
experienced SV, with widely varying
prevalence estimates.
 Prevalence of Sexual Violence
• Men can also be subjected to SV, while it may be
impossible to provide general prevalence rates, as SV
is generally under-reported, with an elevated amount
of non-reporting in case of violence against men and
boys
• Most studies on SV among men have examined the
above index in affected communities and war-torn
areas.
 Prevalence of Sexual Violence
• Numerous studies have examined the prevalence of SV in
different parts of the world on a cross-sectional basis in
specific sub-communities, emphasizing women. An example
would be studies over SV in children with mental disabilities
(13.7%), and violence in university on campuses.
• The prevalence rate for completed sexual assault of
undergraduates was 10.3% in women and 3.1% in men, and
the prevalence rate for completed rape among
undergraduates was 4.1% for women and 0.8% for men.
 Prevalence of Sexual Violence
• This rate against people with disabilities, such as mental
disability was 5.5%, and 14.1% against older people.
• Based on the systematic review by Araujo JO et al. in 2019,
the prevalence of SV among refugees around the world was
largely variable from 0 to 99.8%: in Africa, it has been
reported from 1.3 to 99.8%, in Asia, the prevalence is
variable from 0 to 84.6%, and in America and Europe, it has
been reported 3.5% and 3.3, respectively. So, the prevalence
of SV among refugees proved to be very different and
expansive.
 Dynamics of Sexual Violence
• Many people in our society assume that most sexual assaults are
perpetrated by a male stranger, that most perpetrators use a weapon
and/or a great deal of physical force, that victims react hysterically,
and that they report the crime immediately to the police, who
respond with appropriate empathy. Many people have described this
type of description as a stereotype of “real rape” (Estrich, 1987) or
“righteous rape.”
• Sexual Abuse may manifest as: suggestive flirtatiousness,
propositioning, undesired or inappropriate holding, kissing, fondling
of sexual parts, oral sex, or any kind of forceful sexual activity
 Characteristics of Sexual Violence
1. Most Sexual Assault Victims are Female; Yet Many Men are Victimized as Well
2. Almost All Sexual Assault Perpetrators are Male
3. Very Few Victims are Sexually Assaulted by a Stranger
4. Most Female Victims of Sexual Assault are Under 25 Years Old
5. Few Sexual Assault Victims Report the Crime; Even Fewer do so Immediately
6. Many Women are Repeatedly Victimized by Sex Offenders
7. Alcohol and/or Drugs are Involved in Many Sexual Assaults
8. Overlap of Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
9. Most Sexual Assaults Do Not Result in Visible Physical Injury
10. Most Sexual Assaults are Committed Without Severe Physical Violence
11. Most Sexual Assaults Do Not Involve a Weapon
12. Most Women Do Not Physically Resist During a Sexual Assault
13. More Women Describe “Physically Struggling” During the Sexual Assault
14. Many Victims Have a Continued Relationship or Even Sex with the Perpetrator
15. Victims experience high costs and economic consequences related to the assault
 Dynamics of Sexual Violence
• The cultural stereotype of “real rape” suggests that sexual assault is typically
perpetrated by a male stranger, with a weapon, at night, in a dark alley, etc.
• While there are a number of reasons why we might want to believe in this
stereotypic image of “real rape,” it is imperative that community professionals
have an accurate understanding of the realistic dynamics of sexual assault –
and a comprehensive understanding of who can be sexually assaulted – to
successfully investigate these crimes and increase the likelihood of criminal
prosecution.
• Community professionals must recognize the realistic dynamics of sexual
assault, not only to properly conduct their investigation but also to respond
appropriately to victims and their friends, family, and other support people.
 Consequences of Sexual Violence

•Sexual violence can have psychological,

emotional, and physical effects on a
survivor.
•These effects are not always easy to deal
with, but with the right help and support
they can be managed.
 Consequences of Sexual Violence
1. Self-Harm - Deliberate self-harm, or self-injury, is when a person inflicts
physical harm on himself or herself, usually in secret.
2. Sexually Transmitted Infections - A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a
bacterial or viral infection passed from one person to another through vaginal,
anal, or oral contact.
3. Substance Abuse - If you are concerned that you’re using substances in a way
that could be harmful to your health or have concerns for someone you care
about, consider learning more about the warning signs and places to find
support.
4. Dissociation - Dissociation is one of the many defense mechanisms the brain
can use to cope with the trauma of sexual violence.
5. Panic Attacks - A panic attack is a sudden feeling of intense fear and anxiety
that happens in situations when there may be no immediate danger. They tend
to affect people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or high levels of stress.
 Consequences of Sexual Violence
6. Eating Disorders - Sexual violence can affect survivors in many ways, including
perceptions of the body and feelings of control.
7. Pregnancy - If you were recently raped, you may have concerns about
becoming pregnant from the attack.
8. Sleep Disorders - Symptoms of sleep disorders can include trouble falling or
staying asleep, sleeping at unusual times of day, or sleeping for longer or
shorter than usual.
9. Suicide - Suicide is preventable and suicidal thoughts aren’t permanent. If you
are thinking about suicide, there are resources to give you the support you
need to get through this tough time.
10. Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse - Many perpetrators of sexual abuse are
in a position of trust or responsible for the child’s care, such as a family
member, teacher, clergy member, coach, or other children such as older
siblings.
 Other Consequences of Sexual Violence
1. Sexual health, dysfunction, and intimacy problems, such as low sexual desire, chronic
sexual pain, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, compulsive sexual
behavior, and hi-risk sexual activity
2. Difficult emotions and trauma-related issues, such as depression, anxiety, post-
traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, obesity, self-injurious behaviors,
flashbacks, and nightmares
3. Negative self-perceptions, such as low self-esteem, guilt, shame, and distrust
4. Physical and biomedical effects, such as injuries, infections, chronic pain, and
reproductive problems
5. Sexual effects, such as sexual aversion, arousal difficulties, orgasmic difficulties, and
sexual identity confusion
6. Interpersonal effects, such as relationship problems, social isolation, and increased
likelihood of being re-victimized as an adult
7. Social functioning, such as academic difficulties, work problems, and faith issues
Myths and Misconceptions
about Rape
Week 3
 Rape
• Rape violates a person’s well being and not just ones virginity or
purity.
• Rape and sexual assault have been used interchangeably.
• In contrast to the specific criminal act of rape, the term sexual assault
can describe a range of criminal acts that are sexual in nature, from
unwanted touching and kissing, to rubbing, groping or forcing the
victim to touch the perpetrator in sexual ways. But sexual assault
overlaps with rape because the term includes rape.
• Social and behavioral scientists often use the term “sexual violence.”
This term is far more broad than sexual assault. It include acts that
are not codified in law as criminal but are harmful and traumatic.
1. Women are most likely to be raped outside, in dark
alleyways late at night.
2. Women make up stories about being raped.
3. Rape only happens to young attractive women.
4. The woman was ‘asking for it’ by wearing revealing
clothes / being drunk / taking drugs / having a ‘bad’
reputation / hitch hiking / walking late at night /
seducing him.
5. Women eventually relax and enjoy it. They secretly
want to be raped.
6. The woman did not get hurt or fight back. So it could
not have been rape.
7. Men of certain races and backgrounds are more
likely to commit sexual violence.
8. Men who rape or sexually assault are mentally ill.
9. The man was drunk / on drugs / depressed / under
stress / just wasn’t himself.
10.Once a man is sexually aroused he cannot help
himself. He has to have sex.
11.Rape within a marriage or relationship does not
exist.
12.If two people have had sex with each other before,
it’s always OK to have sex again.
13.‘Real’ victims report rape immediately.
14.If a victim experiences an orgasm or an erection
during sexual assault or rape, then that means they
wanted it, enjoyed it and were not assaulted.
15.Rape only happens to certain types of people.
16.Rape happens as a result of overwhelming sexual
desire.
17.College students do not have to worry about
becoming victims of dating or relationship violence.
18.If women would just stop drinking so much, they
wouldn’t be sexually assaulted.
19.Women falsely accuse men of rape.
20.Rape only happens to certain types of people.
21. Men who rape are sexually frustrated / do not
have the opportunity to have sex with a willing
partner.
22. Women cannot rape other women.
23. Men don’t get raped.
24. Men who are sexually assaulted or raped by a
man must be gay.
25. Transwomen want to use women’s toilets to
attack women.
 Supplemental/Reflections/Case Analysis:
1. What is sexual violence? (What is sexual violence? (youtube.com)

2. Sexual Abuse : The aftermath (Sexual Abuse : The aftermath

(youtube.com)

3. Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Month | Michael (Male Survivors

of Sexual Abuse Month | Michael (youtube.com)
Child Sexual
Abuse
Week 4-5
Child Sexual Abuse
• Child Sexual Abuse is when a more powerful person uses a less powerful person for
sexual gratification. ex: When an adult uses a child for his/her own sexual gratification.
When the offender and the victim are in the same immediate family, the abuse is called
“incest.”
• All sexual touching between an adult and a child is sexual abuse.
• Sexual abuse does not have to involve penetration, force, pain, or even touching.
• If an adult engages in any sexual behavior (looking, showing, or touching) with a child to
meet the adult’s interest or sexual needs, it is sexual abuse.
• A sexual act between two minors, where one exerts power over the other, is also
considered sexual abuse.
• Studies show that most abusers of child sexual abuse are known to victims. They may be
a male relative or an acquaintance. In many cases, it is the father who violates his own
child.
Child Sexual Abuse
• Some of examples of non-contact sexual abuse (sexual abuse that does not
involve physical contact) includes an adult exposing their genitals to a child,
showing pornography to a child, inappropriately peeking in on a youth
when they’re changing or showering, and masturbating in front of a child.
Contact sexual abuse (sexual abuse that involves physical contact) can
include making a child touch another youth or adult sexually, putting
objects, body parts or a mouth on or in a child’s sexual organs, and any
other sexual touching from an adult to a child. Child sexual abuse also
includes the manufacture, distribution and viewing of child pornography.
• Sexual touching between children can also be sexually harmful or abusive
when there is a significant age difference (often defined as 3 or more years)
between the children, if the children are very different developmentally or
size-wise, or if it involves adult-like sexual behavior from an older child to a
younger child.
Child Sexual Abuse
• All children are vulnerable to sexual abuse, especially girls.
• CHILDREN as “PERFECT VICTIMS”: (Vulnerable)
Easily persuaded to cooperate. Too ashamed to talk about it
Many unsatisfied needs
• Children often cannot tell about a touching problem
because of fear. Children often cope with their abuse by
pushing it so far back in their minds that they “forget”. To
remember means to feel hurt again.
Categories of Sexual Abuse
1. NON-TOUCHING ABUSES: Exhibitionism, exposure to
pornography, taking photographs of children in a
sexualized manner, voyeurism, communicating in a sexual
way, such as through telephone or the internet, and letting
down the walls of privacy so that the child watches or
hears sexual acts.
2. TOUCHING ABUSES: Kissing, fondling, oral sex, vaginal or
anal intercourse, or attempted intercourse.
The prevalence of silence among children is
explained by the following reasons:
1. Children are physically less powerful than adults;
2. Children are obliged to obey adults;
3. Children are provided limited information on matters regarding sex
and sexuality;
4. Children’s questions pertaining to sex and sexuality are frowned
upon;
5. The importance placed on keeping the family intact, or preserving
the family reputation, keeps children from speaking about the
abuse.
Grooming Process
• Grooming is a subtle, gradual, and escalating process
of building trust with a child. It is deliberate and
purposeful.
• Abusers may groom children for weeks, months, or
even years— before any sexual abuse actually takes
place.
• It usually begins with behaviors that may not even
seem to be inappropriate.
Grooming Process
• Grooming children may include:
 Befriending a child and gaining his or her trust.
Testing a child’s boundaries through telling inappropriate
jokes, backrubs, tickling, or sexual games.
Moving from non-sexual touching to “accidental” sexual
touching. This typically happens during play so the child
may not even identify it as purposeful, inappropriate
touching. It is often done slowly so the child is gradually
desensitized to the touch.
Child Manipulation
• Manipulating the child to not tell anyone about what
is happening.
The abuser may use a child’s fear, embarrassment, or
guilt about what has happened. Sometimes, the abuser
uses bribery, threats, or coercion.
Confusing the child into feeling responsible for the abuse.
Children may not notice or may become confused as the
contact becomes increasingly intimate and sexual.
Physical Effects
•Sexual Transmitted Infections (STI)
•Urinary tract infections
•Pregnancy at a young age
•Unusual smells or bleeding
•Difficulty walking or sitting
•Bruises or wounds on the genitalia and mouth
Behavioral Effects
• Distrust of others and themselves
• Terror and anxiety
• Shame, guilt and self-hatred
• Alienation from their bodies
• Isolation and withdrawal from people and activities
• Powerlessness, depression, and extreme passivity
Generalization
• LOSS OF LOVE: Children often worry that their parents or friends will not love them once
they know about their abuse, because now they are “dirty.” This is often because
children will take responsibility for their abuse. Children also often fear separation from
their families because of the telling.
• SHAME and GUILT: Children either know or can sense that their sexual experiences with
an adult are wrong. By telling someone and acknowledging that this happened, they
tend to fear the shame of the abuse. Older children will experience more sense of guilt
than younger children.
• BLAME: Children fear that they will be blamed for the sexual touches, that they
somehow wanted it. Adults tend to be believed over children, and offenders often state
that the child “asked” for the sexual touch. Children ask for affection and attention,
which is their right. However they do not ask for sex, for which they cannot have the
appropriate context for consent.
• HARM: Offender often maintain control over their victims by threatening harm to them
or their families if they tell. Children are then burdened with the inappropriate
responsibility of keeping their families safe.
Generalization
• The best way to protect children and youth against sexual abuse is to
give them the knowledge and skills necessary for their safety and well
being, and by creating in our families and communities an
atmosphere where they feel safe enough to come forward if they are
being mistreated or abused.
• Children who know that they have rights, who are well informed
about inappropriate touching, who are taught to trust their feelings
about situations and people, and who know where to get help if
needed are less likely to be victims of any type of assault.
Philippine Laws on Child Sexual Abuse
1. RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and
Discrimination Act (1992) as amended.
2. RA 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 as amended by RA 11930 or the Anti-
Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or
Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act of 2022.
3. RA 11648 (2022) or An Act Promoting for Stronger Protection Against Rape and Sexual
Exploitation and Abuse, Increasing the Age for Determining the Commission of Statutory
Rape, Amending for the Purpose Act No. 3815, As Amended, Otherwise Known As "The
Revised Penal Code," Republic Act No. 8353, also known as "The Anti-rape Law of 1997,"
and Republic Act No. 7610, as Amended, otherwise known as the "Special Protection Of
Children Against Abuse, Exploitation And Discrimination Act“.
References:
• UNIPH-2021-NationalStudyOSAEC-FullReport.pdf (unicef.org)
• CPCP 2012-2016.pdf (doj.gov.ph)