Understanding Sexual Violence Statistics and Dynamics

• Sexual violence against people with mental disabilities is 5.5%
• Sexual violence against older people is 14.1%

Prevalence of Sexual Violence Among Refugees (2019 Study)

• Global prevalence varies widely from 0 to 99.8%
• Africa: Ranges from 1.3 to 99.8%
• Asia: Ranges from 0 to 84.6%
• America and Europe: Reported as 3.5% and 3.3%, respectively
• Highlights the very different and expansive nature of sexual violence prevalence among refugees

Dynamics of Sexual Violence

• Sexual abuse can include suggestive flirtatiousness, propositioning, unwanted touching, kissing, fondling, oral sex, or any forceful sexual activity

Characteristics of Sexual Violence

• Most victims are female, but men are also victimized
• Most perpetrators are male
• Very few victims are assaulted by a stranger
• Most female victims are under 25 years old
• Few victims report the crime, and even fewer report it immediately
• Many women are repeatedly victimized by sex offenders
• Alcohol and/or drugs are often involved
• Overlap exists between sexual violence and intimate partner violence
• Most assaults do not result in visible physical injury
• Most assaults are committed without severe physical violence or weapons
• Most women do not physically resist during an assault; more describe "physically struggling"
• Many victims have continued relationships or even sex with the perpetrator
• Victims experience high costs and economic consequences

Dynamics of Sexual Violence and "Real Rape" Stereotype

• The stereotype suggests sexual assault is by a male stranger with a weapon, at night, in a dark alley
• Community professionals need accurate understanding of sexual assault dynamics and who can be victimized
• Necessary for investigating crimes effectively and increasing the likelihood of criminal prosecution
• Professionals must recognize these dynamics to conduct proper investigations and respond appropriately to victims and their support networks

Consequences of Sexual Violence

• Can have psychological, emotional, and physical effects on survivors
• Effects are manageable with the right help and support
• Self-Harm: Deliberate self-harm or self-injury, often done in secret
• Sexually Transmitted Infections: Bacterial or viral infections passed through vaginal, anal, or oral contact
• Substance Abuse: Using substances harmfully
• Dissociation: A defense mechanism used to cope with trauma
• Panic Attacks: Sudden feelings of intense fear and anxiety, especially after trauma
• Eating Disorders: Affects perceptions of the body and feelings of control
• Pregnancy: Concerns about becoming pregnant after being raped
• Sleep Disorders: Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping at unusual times
• Suicide: Preventable with available resources and support
• Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse: Perpetrators often in positions of trust or responsibility
• Other Consequences: Sexual health, dysfunction, intimacy problems, difficult emotions, trauma-related issues, negative self-perceptions, physical/biomedical effects, sexual effects, interpersonal effects, and social functioning issues

Explore the prevalence of sexual violence among vulnerable groups, including people with mental disabilities, older individuals, and refugees. Examining global variations, dynamics of abuse, victim and perpetrator characteristics, and the impact of alcohol and drugs.