What Is Sexual Violence And What Consequences Can It Leave?
After the scandalous sentence issued in the trial of five men who sexually assaulted a young woman, a large part of the population has been shocked, thus generating a social debate in relation to sexual violence and how a reform of the penal code would be fundamental.
It is more necessary than ever to be clear about the meaning of sexual violence and the nature of the type of acts of which it is composed.
The concept of sexual violence refers to a traumatic experience in relation to sexual activity maintained by two or more people where there is no consent from one of the people involved. This term encompasses three types of violence.
1. Sexual harassment
Firstly, sexual harassment is usually carried out verbally, through messages, calls or through coercion and blackmail, that is, the use of psychological violence The aggressor pressures and intimidates the victim with the aim of getting the other person to have sexual relations. For example, in the workplace, a person coerces another person to have sexual relations because otherwise they will lose their job.
2. Sexual abuse
Another type of sexual violence that we encounter is sexual abuse. This term refers to any action that forces a person, man or woman, to carry out sexual behaviors that they do not want to perform or maintain. That is, the aggressor, whether male or female, assumes the freedom to access another person’s body without their consent and there is no authorization of sexual activity by one of the parties.
Lastly, sexual assault consists of accessing the victim’s body, without consent, and using the use of direct violence as a way to achieve sexual activity. The most serious form of sexual assault is through penetration.
Beyond physical pain
As can be seen, the sentence for the aggressor may vary depending on the type of sexual violence used. One of the main differences between the three types is the use of physical violence. But how do we know Physical violence is not the only form of violence that exists and as its name indicates, in the different types we find ourselves under a case of sexual violence.
Perhaps, part of the open debate in recent days should focus here and that it should not be the use of physical violence that determines a greater or lesser sentence, but rather the act itself, the simple fact of restricting someone’s sexual freedom. be condemned.
The sentence issued states that there was no physical violence, since the victim admits that she chose not to resist. There may not be any visible blows or wounds, but the non-consensual penetration of one woman by five men, coercion on sexual freedom and of course emotional damage and the subsequent psychological consequences are more than enough.
Why are we sometimes not able to defend ourselves against a threat?
One of the reproaches that has been made to the victim is that did not object at the time of the sexual act This behavior, from a psychobiological point of view, has a survival function when we are faced with a threat of a different nature.
In our brain we have an extremely powerful sensor, known as the amygdala, which will be the internal alarm that warns us that there is an external or internal threat, since it is one of the areas in charge of fear. When our alarm is activated our body will prepare to face that threat, that is, we prepare to give a fight or flight response. With him a great adrenaline rush will appear in the body participating in this response. At the same time, the areas in charge of decision-making are inhibited, anesthetized, due to stress chemicals.
Therefore, the person is in a state of hyperarousal, that is, all their alarm systems are activated, resulting in a total inability to make decisions so it will be our nervous system that decides instinctively, promoting our survival.
In the face of very serious threats, panic, trauma and crisis situations, where the situation overwhelms us and we do not have the necessary resources, our brain automatically disconnects. This phenomenon is known as dissociation, thus protecting us from emotional pain and suffering. In this state there is a relative absence of sensations, freezing of emotions or reduction of physical movements. Being the defense less active, we will not try to flee, we will not be able to say no. It will be our brain that speaks for us and the person will act automatically.
What are the psychological and emotional consequences of sexual abuse?
These are some of the common consequences left by experiences linked to sexual abuse.
1. PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may occur, the symptoms of which are related to the appearance of nightmares where you relive what happened. Appearance of flashback where the memory appears in a very invasive way, negative thoughts, and mood alterations.
The victim has the false belief that what happened could have been avoided if he had acted in a different way.
3. Fear of speaking
Inability of the victim to tell what happened fear of rejection
4. Depressive feelings
Sometimes you even develop an emotional disorder.
5. Isolation
Social isolation can occur well out of shame, fear or distrust of others
6. Self-harm
Use of self-harming behaviors as a way to calm the emotional damage suffered or even the appearance of suicidal behavior
7. Drug use
Substance abuse as a way to isolate yourself and not think about what happened as a way to calm all the emotional damage.
8. Decreased self-esteem
All this leaves a mark on the self-concept.
Relive the trauma
It is important to take into account the revictimization that occurs in the victim generated by institutions, media and professionals Certain initiatives cause the victim to relive over and over again the pain and emotions that are associated with the traumatic event. Especially in cases as high-profile as this last one, where even the victim is being questioned in relation to the response given.
