Sexual Violence

Albano, Austria, Mariano, Nicolas, Nishimura , Revilleza, Sanchez

What is Sexual
Violence?
Sexual assault and rape are words that are often used to describe a broad category
of crimes involving sexual activity. They can also include child sexual abuse,
sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and voyeuristic behaviors.
Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact that occurs when a person cannot
give consent, such as when they are unconscious or physically unable to do so.
This includes unwanted kissing, sexual touching, oral sex, penetration with
objects or body parts.
Rape is when a person is forced to have sexual contact with
another person. New York State law states that rape can be
considered when penetration occurs “no matter how slight”.
What is Consent?
 What is Consent?

Sexual assault and rape are acts of aggression where the victim's consent is taken away by force
or trickery. By its most basic definition, consent is to give permission for something to happen
or be done. With this in mind, we practice consent in nearly every social or interpersonal
contacts we have throughout our days; from asking to sit next to a stranger on the bus to asking a
friend if you can borrow money. These exchanges force us to engage with another person, to not
assume their comfort level or response, to pay attention to their words as well as non-verbal cues
and to abide by their answer--regardless of our feelings about it. In the case of sexual consent, it
is no different.
 What is Consent?

Consent is also an ongoing process throughout a sexual encounter, and

someone can withdraw consent at any time. This means that a person can
consent to oral sex but not vaginal intercourse, even if this occurs in a
relationship. Consent is never assumed; past sexual activity, an intimate
relationship or marriage does not provide blanket consent for future sexual
activity.
What are the impacts
of Sexual Violence?
On survivors
Each survivor of sexual violence responds to the
trauma differently. This can be due to a variety of
factors including the fact that abuse or violence is an
individual's history, personality traits, established
coping strategies or support systems, relationship with
the offender or even where the assault took place. It is
important to understand that there is no right way for a
survivor to respond to an assault and they may present
for help and support either immediately following or it
could be weeks, months or years later.
 Although there is no one way survivors will respond there are some common
responses we tend to hear including:

Common Physical Responses

• Feeling dirty and • Pain
Common Feelings needing to repeatedly • Changes in
• Shock “I’ve tried going out shower/bathe sleeping/eating patterns
• Embarrassment “I’m and being normal but • Anxiety/Panic attacks • Flashbacks
sorry you have to hear everyone I see reminds
about this…” me of him…”
• Shame • Denying/Minimizing
• Self-blame “I can’t severity of the assault “I
believe I invited him know people have much
back to my worse things happen to
apartment…” them, maybe mine Long term impacts:
• Guilt “I must’ve been wasn’t so bad…” • Mental Health issues • Difficulty
leading them on, I mean (depression, anxiety, concentrating (impacts at
I did flirt with them all PTSD, disordered work and/or school)
night…” eating conditions) • Linked with higher
• Anger • Substance use issues likelihood of ongoing
• Vulnerability or Fear physical health
conditions
On others
When talking about the impacts of sexual violence, we
often focus on the individual survivor. However, we
often forget that this violence also has a ripple effect
on others' lives. Sexual violence can cause a lot of
pain for secondary victims, including family members
and intimate partners, roommates or fellow college
students. The best way to support these people is by
validating their feelings and providing resources so
they can better understand what their loved one has
gone through and how they can most support them in
their healing process.
On survivors
Each survivor of sexual violence responds to the
trauma differently. This can be due to a variety of
factors including the fact that abuse or violence is an
individual's history, personality traits, established
coping strategies or support systems, relationship with
the offender or even where the assault took place. It is
important to understand that there is no right way for a
survivor to respond to an assault and they may present
for help and support either immediately following or it
could be weeks, months or years later.
 On the Community & Society

When sexual violence occurs in schools,

When sexual violence occurs in schools,
workplaces, neighborhoods, campuses, and
workplaces, neighborhoods, campuses, and
cultural or religious communities, many members
cultural or religious communities, many members
of the community may experience fear, anger, or
of the community may experience fear, anger, or
disbelief that it has happened to someone they
disbelief that it has happened to someone they
know. This reaction may stem from shock that
know. This reaction may stem from shock that
someone like them has been victimized, as many
someone like them has been victimized, as many
people still believe that victims are somehow
people still believe that victims are somehow
different than themselves. There are also financial
different than themselves. There are also financial
costs to communities. Medical services, criminal
costs to communities. Medical services, criminal
justice expenses, crisis and mental health services
justice expenses, crisis and mental health services
fees, and the lost contributions of individuals
fees, and the lost contributions of individuals
affected by sexual violence are among the costs.
affected by sexual violence are among the costs.
 On the Community & Society
When sexual violence
occurs in schools,
workplaces, neighborhoods,
campuses, and cultural or
religious communities,
many members of the
community may experience
fear, anger, or disbelief that
it has happened to someone
they know. This reaction
may stem from shock that
someone like them has been
victimized, as many people
still believe that victims are
somehow different than
themselves.
There are also financial
costs to communities.
Medical services, criminal
justice expenses, crisis and
mental health services fees,
and the lost contributions of
individuals affected by
sexual violence are among
the costs.
Saturn is a gas giant
and has several rings
On a larger level, sexual
violence endangers critical
societal structures by
creating climates of
violence and fear. Most
importantly, the
contributions and
achievements that may
never be made as a result of
sexual violence represent an
unquantifiable cost to
society.
What is Sexual
Harassment?
 What is Sexual Harassment?

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment

includes unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or
physical sexual harassment in the workplace or learning environment (EEOC). Sexual
harassment does not always have to be about sexual behavior or directed at a specific
individual. Negative comments about women as a group, for example, may constitute
sexual harassment. Sexual harassment impairs your performance by endangering your
job security or creating a barrier to effective work.
Although sexual harassment laws do not usually cover teasing or offhand comments,
these behaviors can also be upsetting and have a negative emotional impact.
What exactly is sexual
harassment? Some forms of sexual harassment
include:
•Unwelcome sexual advances
•Requests for sexual favors
•Unwanted touching or physical
Sexual harassment can happen in a variety of contact
situations. The harasser can be of any gender and •Verbal harassment of a sexual nature
have any relationship to the victim, including being a •Physical acts of sexual assault
direct or indirect manager, coworker, teacher, peer, or •Making conditions of employment
dependent on sexual favors
colleague.
 Where can sexual harassment occur?

Sexual harassment can occur at work or in a learning

environment such as a school or university. It can occur in a
variety of settings, including after-hours conversations, hallway
exchanges, and non-office settings of employees or peers.