scholarly journals The Consequences of Child Sexual Assault

Author(s):  
Arif Rohman

<p><i>The understanding of the origin and nature of child sexual assault and its</i><i> </i><i>consequences is urgent. It benefits to child victims and helping institutions</i><i> </i><i>and the professionals who working in it. This </i><i>article</i><i> shows that child sexual</i><i> </i><i>assault basically was the product of patriarchal culture and sexist society</i><i> </i><i>which tend to marginalise the women and children’s position, by creating</i><i> </i><i>some myths to legitimise male sexual violence. The occurrence of child</i><i> </i><i>sexual assaults has many consequences on children including physical and</i><i> </i><i>mental health. Another consequence is they may have to involve</i><i> </i><i>themselves in a prosecution process. Therefore, it is very important to</i><i> </i><i>understand the victim’s problem. Understanding and giving sympathy to</i><i> </i><i>them during the making of reports to the police, during recovery from</i><i> </i><i>physical injuries and trauma, and during a prosecution process can help</i><i> </i><i>them to reach integration level and stability. The good coordination and</i><i> </i><i>collaboration between agencies and professionals can lead to the friendly</i><i> </i><i>services to the victims. Furthermore, children will not alone facing their</i><i> </i><i>problem during the recovery.</i><i></i></p>

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arif Rohman

<p><i>The understanding of the origin and nature of child sexual assault and its</i><i> </i><i>consequences is urgent. It benefits to child victims and helping institutions</i><i> </i><i>and the professionals who working in it. This </i><i>article</i><i> shows that child sexual</i><i> </i><i>assault basically was the product of patriarchal culture and sexist society</i><i> </i><i>which tend to marginalise the women and children’s position, by creating</i><i> </i><i>some myths to legitimise male sexual violence. The occurrence of child</i><i> </i><i>sexual assaults has many consequences on children including physical and</i><i> </i><i>mental health. Another consequence is they may have to involve</i><i> </i><i>themselves in a prosecution process. Therefore, it is very important to</i><i> </i><i>understand the victim’s problem. Understanding and giving sympathy to</i><i> </i><i>them during the making of reports to the police, during recovery from</i><i> </i><i>physical injuries and trauma, and during a prosecution process can help</i><i> </i><i>them to reach integration level and stability. The good coordination and</i><i> </i><i>collaboration between agencies and professionals can lead to the friendly</i><i> </i><i>services to the victims. Furthermore, children will not alone facing their</i><i> </i><i>problem during the recovery.</i><i></i></p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-36
Author(s):  
Heather C. Melton ◽  
◽  
Summer Stewart ◽  

1 ADD TO CART Sexual assault continues to be a major societal and criminal issue. Particularly detrimental is sexual assault committed against children. Children who experience a sexual assault are likely to suffer from multiple negative outcomes including increasing their risk for juvenile delinquency and mental health issues. A sexual assault kit is one tool that the criminal justice system uses to bring justice for victims and hold offenders accountable for their behaviour. It provides often vital evidence that can potentially be used in the prosecution of these cases. Yet it has become clear that many sexual assaults are never submitted to crime laboratories for processing. This paper explores previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits of child/adolescent victims. Characteristics of the victims, the case, and the police report are explored. Additionally, these kits are compared to kits with an adult victim to further our understanding of the problem. Findings include: over 20% of the unsubmitted sexual assault kits had a victim under 18, the highest number of unsubmitted kits for children were for victims between the ages of 15-17, the majority of child victims knew their offenders, and cases associated with child kits were more likely to be moved forward at the time of the original incident (without the kit being submitted) than adult cases. Ultimately, the goal is to improve our overall response to all victims of sexual assault.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-42
Author(s):  
Dewi Lisnawati

ABSTRAKSetiap anak yang menjadi korban tindak pidana berhak mendapatkan restitusi seperti yang tertuang di dalam peraturan pelaksana dari Pasal 71 D Undang-Undang Perlindungan Anak No. 35 Tahun 2014 yakni Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 43 Tahun 2017 tentang Pelaksanaan Restitusi Bagi Anak Yang Menjadi Korban Tindak Pidana. Pelaksanaan restitusi kepada korban hanya ditujukan kepada beberapa tindak pidana tertentu saja termasuk tindak pidana kekerasan seksual. Diterbitkannya Peraturan Pemerintah tersebut bertujuan untuk memberikan perlindungan hukum terhadap korban khususnya anak-anak atas penerapan hak restitusi. Penelitian ini termasuk tipologi penelitian hukum empiris. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pelaksanaan restitusi bagi anak yang menjadi korban tindak pidana kekerasan seksual di Provinsi Riau berdasarkan Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 43 tahun 2017 belum berjalan dengan baik. Hal ini disebabkan oleh beberapa kendala yakni kurangnya kesadaran dari aparat penegak hukum untuk mendorong terlaksananya restitusi bagi anak yang menjadi korban tindak pidana, administirasi pengajuan permohonan restitusi yang rumit, dan kendala restitusi yang tidak dibayarkan dan ketentuan dalam Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 43 Tahun 2017 yang kurang jelas. Fokus penelitian ini adalah penerapan restitusi pada anak korban tindak pidana berdasarkan Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 43 Tahun 2017.Kata kunci: restitusi; anak korban tindak pidana; kekerasan seksualABSTRAKEvery child who is a victim of a crime is entitled to get restitution as stipulated in the implementing regulations of Article 71 D of the Child Protection Act No. 35 of 2014 namely Government Regulation Number 43 of 2017 concerning Implementation of Restitution for Children Who Become Victims of Criminal Acts. The implementation of restitution to victims is only aimed at a number of specific criminal acts including sexual violence. The issuance of this Government Regulation aims to provide legal protection for victims, especially children, on the application of restitution rights so that they can run well. This research is a typology of empirical legal research. The results showed that the implementation of restitution for children who were victims of sexual violence in Riau Province based on Government Regulation No. 43 of 2017 has not gone well. This is caused by several constraints namely lack of awareness from law enforcement officials to encourage the implementation of restitution for children who are victims of criminal acts, administration of submission of complex restitution applications, and restitution constraints that are not paid and the unclear provisions in Government Regulation Number 43 of 2017. The focus of this research is on the provisions stipulated in Government Regulation Number 43 of 2017 concerning the implementation of restitution for children who are victims of criminal acts.Keywords: restitution; child victims of crime; sexual assault


2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052097819
Author(s):  
Frédérique Vallières ◽  
Brynne Gilmore ◽  
Ann Nolan ◽  
Peggy Maguire ◽  
Kristina Bondjers ◽  
...  

Current data on the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of sexual violence in the Republic of Ireland is lacking, with the most recent sexual abuse and violence survey dating back to 2001. The current study sought to identify what proportion of Irish adults have experienced sexual violence, if there are sex differences in exposure to different forms of sexual violence, and to what extent different forms of sexual violence are associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes. To achieve these objectives, we carried out a nationally representative sample of Irish adults ( N = 1,020) completed self-report measures of history of sexual violence and mental health. Results suggest that approximately one-in-three (34.4%) Irish adults experienced some form of sexual violence, including 14.8% who were sexually assaulted (raped) and 31.1% who were sexually harassed. Women were significantly more likely than men to have experienced all forms of sexual violence ( ps < .001), with the exception of sexual assault by a parent or guardian. All forms of sexual violence were associated with an increased likelihood of serious mental health problems, with sexual assault by a parent/guardian associated with several other psychosocial outcomes in life, including education achievement, history of being taken into state care, salary, and employment status. Sexual violence is a common experience in the general population and women are disproportionately affected (1-in-2 women versus 1-in-5 men). Additional resources to increase mental health care among survivors of sexual violence is urgently needed. How our findings compare to Ireland’s previous sexual abuse and violence survey and the implications of our findings for policy are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 594-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Hughes ◽  
Michael Lucock ◽  
Charlie Brooker

AbstractPeople who experience sexual violence are highly likely to experience psychological and/or mental health (MH) problems as a result. People who use MH services often have a history of sexual assault and are also likely to be revictimised as an adult. Yet despite there being a very clear association, MH services are not yet performing routine enquiry, and even if they do, are not confident about how to record and manage disclosures. There is some emerging evidence that people with MH problems are exposed to sexual violence in inpatient MH settings, perpetrated by both other patients or members of staff. In this editorial, we explore the evidence to support a wider focus on sexual violence as a part of routine care, as well as some recommendations about how staff can more effectively discuss sexual issues including that of sexual victimisation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
F El-Khoury ◽  

Abstract Objectives Sexual violence against women is endemic and is linked with a host of mental health problems and suicidal behaviour. We test whether sexual violence is more prevalent and have more damaging psychological effects among women compared to men, and quantify its mediating role in the association between sex and suicidal ideation and behaviour. Methods We used data from the “Health Barometer” (Baromètre Santé) 2017 a cross-sectional phone survey, which recruited a nationally representative sample of French adults aged 18 to 75 years in 2017 (n = 25319). Data were weighted to be representative of the French adult population. Outcomes included suicidal ideation, imagery of suicide, and suicide attempts in the preceding year. We conducted mutlivariable mediation analysis using the counterfactual approach to evaluate the contribution that lifetime sexual violence has in the association between sex and suicidal ideation and behaviour. Results We found that women are five times more likely to have experienced sexual victimisation, and are more at risk of any suicidal ideation and imagery of suicide in the preceding year compared to men. Women and men had comparable rates of suicide attempts in the preceding year. We estimated that 47% of the increased risk of suicidal ideation in the preceding year women have compared to men is mediated by lifetime sexual assault. Lifetime sexual assault also explained 39% of the association between sex and having imagery of suicide. Discussion Our findings reiterate the importance of the prevention of sexual violence and an adequate care for sexual assault victims, especially women, in public health and mental health policies and initiatives. Key messages Women are five times more likely to have experienced sexual victimisation compared to men, and are more likely to suffer from suicidal ideation in the preceding year. Experience of lifetime sexual violence contributes substantially (around 50%) to women’s increased likelihood of suicidal ideation compared to men.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Foley ◽  
Ian Cummins

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a scoping study that explored the extent of recorded sexual violence perpetrated on inpatients on mental health (MH) units. Design/methodology/approach A Freedom of Information Act (FOI) request was sent to 45 police forces. The FOI asked for the number of recorded offences of rape and sexual assault by penetration for the five years 2010-2015. Following the responses from the police, a similar FOI request was sent to MH trusts. Findings There were significant variations in the way that both police forces and MH trusts approached the recording of this information. Research limitations/implications The research highlights variation and inadequacy of current recording practices in relation to sexual offences committed against inpatients on MH units. Practical implications There needs to be more consistent systems of recording of allegations of sexual assault and responses to them by agencies. In the trust recording of these incidents, it is recommended that a specific category of sexual violence is created. On a national level, the Office for National Statistics should produce a national data set that records the number of rapes that are committed in MH inpatient units. Originality/value This paper highlights the “gap” of information in relation to recorded rape and may indicate that complainants with a history of mental illness are less likely to have their allegation recorded as a crime.


2021 ◽  
pp. 231-242
Author(s):  
Zühal KOPARAN

Physical and sexual acts of violence against children seriously harm the life and mental health of the child. These actions that harm the child often tend to hide by the child or his family. The termination of the actions that harm the child and being noticed due to the damage caused by the child depends on the level of recognition of the physical and sexual violence of the physicians and nurses faced during the provision of health services. In this study, it is aimed to measure the physical and sexual violence recognition levels of physicians and nurses, which are most likely to encounter cases of child victims of physical and sexual violence. With the questionnaire study, it was aimed that physicians and nurses would try to question their awareness of abuse and develop sensitivity. With the developing sensitivity, it will be ensured that each phenomenon is taken with a different perspective and the violent action that is carried out or planned to be carried out as a result. In this way, every child awaiting help can be intervened before the violent act becomes chronic and reaches a level that threatens the child's life. It is aimed to approach the patients with a multidisciplinary approach and to adapt the child to normal life with social support.


2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekta Choudhary ◽  
Jeffrey H. Coben ◽  
Robert M. Bossarte

An estimated 1 out of 6 women and 1 out of 33 men has been a victim of sexual assault at some point in their lifetime. The objective of this study was to quantify the associations between sexual assault and negative health outcomes among males and females who reported being sexually assaulted in the past 12 months or at some point before the past 12 months. Data were obtained from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System core and sexual violence modules. A series of logistic regression models, including all respondents and stratified by gender, was used to identify differences associated with victimization. Among women, victimization before the past 12 months was significantly associated with poor health status, poor mental health, lower life satisfaction, activity limitations, smoking, and binge drinking. Women who reported victimization in the past 12 months were also significantly more likely to report poor mental health, lower life satisfaction, activity limitations, and binge drinking. Among males, significant associations were found with smoking (past 12 months), poor life satisfaction (before the past 12 months) and activity limitations (before the past 12 months). Results of this study suggest that poor mental and physical health associated with victimization are more prevalent in women and that these relationships persist over time. The broad range of outcomes associated with victimization suggests that further research is needed to better understand the consequences associated with sexual violence across the lifespan.


2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Scott ◽  
K. C. Koenen ◽  
A. King ◽  
M. V. Petukhova ◽  
J. Alonso ◽  
...  

BackgroundSexual assault is a global concern with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), one of the common sequelae. Early intervention can help prevent PTSD, making identification of those at high risk for the disorder a priority. Lack of representative sampling of both sexual assault survivors and sexual assaults in prior studies might have reduced the ability to develop accurate prediction models for early identification of high-risk sexual assault survivors.MethodsData come from 12 face-to-face, cross-sectional surveys of community-dwelling adults conducted in 11 countries. Analysis was based on the data from the 411 women from these surveys for whom sexual assault was the randomly selected lifetime traumatic event (TE). Seven classes of predictors were assessed: socio-demographics, characteristics of the assault, the respondent's retrospective perception that she could have prevented the assault, other prior lifetime TEs, exposure to childhood family adversities and prior mental disorders.ResultsPrevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) PTSD associated with randomly selected sexual assaults was 20.2%. PTSD was more common for repeated than single-occurrence victimization and positively associated with prior TEs and childhood adversities. Respondent's perception that she could have prevented the assault interacted with history of mental disorder such that it reduced odds of PTSD, but only among women without prior disorders (odds ratio 0.2, 95% confidence interval 0.1–0.9). The final model estimated that 40.3% of women with PTSD would be found among the 10% with the highest predicted risk.ConclusionsWhether counterfactual preventability cognitions are adaptive may depend on mental health history. Predictive modelling may be useful in targeting high-risk women for preventive interventions.


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