Table of Contents
Beginning
Agreeing to something
Mental Health Impact
How can you help?
In conclusion
Here’s an introduction
Sexual assault can be a sensitive topic. Sexual assault is a common occurrence, but it can be hard for victims to openly discuss their trauma with others. Many victims remain silent as they are ashamed or afraid of being sexually assaulted. The question is how long-term effects of sexual assault on society can be assessed. While many believe that sexual assault occurs only in dark alleys and late-night walks, it is possible to assault anyone at any time. Sexual assault is any sexual act or attempt to perform a sexual act through the use of force. This includes unwanted comments, inappropriate touching, threats to sexual intimacy, and so on. Sexual assault can happen to both men and women. The Government of Ontario reports that sexual assault affects 1 in 3 women and 1 out 6 men (Government of Ontario 2016, 2016). Sexual assault can have serious consequences for victims and cause mental problems. Victims can get help from multiple resources and helplines.
ConsentConsent must be given before any sexual activity can take place. Sexual assault is when consent is not granted. It is better to verify consent was given from another person than assume or imply that they have given it. The Government of Ontario states that consent cannot be considered as given if it is not denied. As alcohol and drugs can make it difficult to consent, one cannot refuse to give consent. It is not enough to consent once. Consent should always be given before engaging in any sexual activity (Government of Ontario 2016). Because consent cannot be based on the clothing you wear, one’s clothing preference does not necessarily indicate that one has given consent. Bryana H. French, Helen A. Neville and others have found that young women are often the targets of sexual coercion and exploitation. These young women are often threatened and pressured into engaging in unwanted sexual activity. This shows that women are often abused, weakened, and vulnerable in society. Media has a tendency to sexualize females, even young ones. It is common to see advertisements featuring women dressed in sexy ways, as well as YouTube videos and magazines. It shows society’s culture that these women are sexual objects. This shows the connection between the sexualization and unwelcome activities of women. This sends a message to society that women can be treated as objects and it’s okay for them not to. It is crucial to understand the message that the media sends to society. Do not misunderstand this information to make women feel like objects. The way that one functions can also be affected by their mental health. Sexual assault can cause many mental health problems and can be extremely traumatizing. Sexual assault can happen to men and women in different ways, but it most commonly causes anxiety and depression. Lisa M. Dario claims that sexual assault could be the most devastating event. This can lead to depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, and even suicide thoughts or attempts. It can be extremely difficult to live with the constant fear of being attacked again. Many victims feel ashamed to share their traumatizing stories with the rest of society. These negative effects can manifest in one’s life, including depression, anxiety, PTSD. These mental health problems can lead to a person being unable to work, which can have a negative impact on their overall well-being and the wellbeing of society. Peter Hagene says that PTSD, which is the most commonly diagnosed disorder after sexual assault, is the leading cause of death (Hagene et al., 2015). Many victims relive their traumas over and again, often leading to nightmares or flashbacks. Chessy Prout, a victim to sexual assault, has written a book called “I Have the Right To”: A high school survivor’s story of sexual assault, justice, and hope. She shares her past traumas and experiences in this book. She starts to wonder how he could have treated her so badly and the hurt it caused her family. He didn’t even consider her humanity, or what he had done to her dignity. (Entertainment Weekly 2018, 2018). Her campus had a group of guys competing for the most girls. They created a list that contained several girls’ names. This was considered disrespectful to these girls because they were treating them as sexual objects (Hauser 2016,). Many people blame victims for not speaking out after being assaulted. This is a sign of the insufficient support society provides for victims. The victim is not responsible for their traumatizing situation. Instead, the perpetrator of the attack is to blame. This illustrates the relationship between social support and mental illness. It is because one can feel embarrassed and not be able to express their opinions due to society’s opinion, that it can be very detrimental to mental health. (Entertainment Weekly 2018, 2018).
How to HelpSociety may sometimes be affected by rape myths. To prevent sexual assault, it is important to acknowledge facts and not myths. According to the Ontario Government it is common for people to believe that strangers can commit sexual assault. Truth be told, most sexual assaults are committed in the home of the victim, often a relative, partner or casual friend. Another myth states that if the victim doesn’t respond, it isn’t considered sexual assault. Sometimes, however, women can freeze and go into shock after an incident. A woman may also be unable to defend herself due to fear or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you can understand the facts about sexual assault and don’t believe the myths, you can help reduce the risk of it happening. Sexual assault centres offer free counselling and information to survivors. You can find many sexual assault centers throughout Ontario, including Hamilton. The Ontario Government website has all the details, including numbers and locations. Many resources and helplines are available to both men as well as women. Even if a person isn’t the victim of sexual violence but is a bystander, there still are ways they can help (Government of Ontario 2016. You can intervene by becoming a witness and providing support. You can also help by becoming an ally. You can help by becoming an ally. There are many models that can help you get the support you need. A medical model could be presented by a doctor or counsellor who can offer the needed support to someone going through trauma. They can provide support by being there for trauma victims and offer advice. VanCamp, 2019. The perpetrator of the incident is the victim. Healthcare providers are responsible for treating and resolving the problem. It is possible to make a small difference and save someone’s life.
ConclusionSexual assault is a traumatizing experience that can impact a person’s entire life. A life of sexual assault can be very difficult for many people. It can also have a profound impact on the way they live their lives and how they function in society. Counselling centres and helplines can be accessed to provide support for trauma victims. There are ways to prevent it from happening again. It helps to educate loved ones, their children and the elderly about what is happening and how to prevent it from happening again. Sexual acts that happen without consent are often a sign of mental illness. Victims must seek medical assistance (VanCamp, 2019,). It is important that trauma victims seek out help from others if they are able.
