Sexual Assault - Free Essay Example

Sexual violence has become a day to day activities where both men and women claim to be assaulted sexually in different ways. The sexual activity which involves any form of sexual contact with an individual without their approval results to sexual assault. The different nature of sexual harassment has been greatly documented in various platforms mostly involving men as being responsible for the majority of assault. Mostly the victims of sexual assault are normally ladies and young girls. This problem has raised numerous debates concerning the main causes of sexual assault with different arguments where people conflict on whether sexual assault is a result of nature or is being greatly contributed by the way individuals are nurtured. This has led to the development of a lot of social problems, political issues as well as the development of non-governmental bodies which have emerged to be in the frontline to advocate for the protection of individuals from the events of sexual assault. This has therefore led to the creation of awareness to sensitize the issue to ensure that the cases of sexual assault are reduced to the minimum levels so as to develop a safe environment which is safe from any form of sexual mistreatment. Different arguments have been made on the main causes of sexual assault. Some people argue that the behavior of the victims in the event of the sexual assault has great influence on the occurrence of the act. They argue that such behaviors entail situations where the victim is drunk, where they move at night in private places, where the victims wear sexy clothes or situations, where the victims send sexual signals to the perpetrators, increases the chances of the victim to be sexually assaulted (Elliott et al, 204). Others argue that sexual assault results when a perpetrator of the sexual act utilizes the advantage of either power, social class or status they have to undertake the act. Therefore, it is required that the people who are vulnerabl e to sexual assault should take care of themselves and ensure that they do not undertake activities that would increase their chances of being sexually assaulted. These activities require that women should be responsible for the things they due to their perceived mode as being major motivators of most sexual assault instances (Bryant-Davis, 348). Biologically, it is argued that men dominate over the females in terms of sexuality and this aspect also forms the basis of perceiving men as the main perpetrators of sexual assault since they are always actively trying to enhance the continuation of the species along the biological line. The main forms of sexual assault which are normally common involve cases of rape where the perpetrator forcefully penetrates the victim irrespective of the circumstance (Ullman, 3). Sexual assault may also be facilitated by the use of drugs by the perpetrator to the victim and take advantage over them while they cannot consent to their will since they a re under drugs or in the influence of alcohol. This activity may also be attributed to the use of verbal activities such as the use of whistles, shouting, and use of either implicit, explicit or proposal phrases that are not entertained by the victim. This activity has been lately emphasized as a form of sexual assault and are enforceable by the law (Spohn, Cassia, and David Holleran, 651). Other form of sexual harassment commonly practices involves child abuse where perpetrators take advantage of the young ones to abuse them sexually. Marital rape is also considered a form of sexual assault. This entails situations where the non-consensual sex in forcefully done to a spouse. Though this kind of assault is not mostly reported since most traditions argue that a man is entitled to sex due to their legalized marriage but attempt have been made in numerous countries to enforce legislation of marital abuse to protect the victims of marital abuse (Ullman, 30). Sexual assault is perceiv ed to have great effects on the victim which involves both physical, mental as well as emotional effects. Most physical effects involve physical injuries which may occur in the event of the exertion of force by the perpetrator to the victims (Bryant-Davis, 340). These injuries may be informed of bruises, physical bleeding, walking problems, development of sores, fractured bones, dislocation as well transmission of STIs and pregnancies. Most mental effects may include stress associated with the flashbacks of the event leading to depression, a feeling of hopelessness and loss of interest (Bryant-Davis et al, 336). Prolonged stress may lead to weight loss or gain, continuous dissociation with people leading to loss of focus on the daily activities the victims used to undertake such as work or school as well as thoughts of committing suicide. Sexual assault is also associated with emotional problems such as loss of trust to other people, increased instances of unconditional anger and in creased blame, instances of shock which may lead to numbness. This event may lead to instances of loss of self-control as well as disorientation. Due to the increased cases of sexual abuse, different measures have been suggested to be undertaken by those individuals who are perceived vulnerable to the events of sexual assault. These include traditional measures of preventing the chances of the risk of women and girls to being assaulted (Elliott, 209). Mostly, people argue that the vulnerability of women to such cases by being prevented by the logic activity of women to behave well. This refers to practices such as an individual knowing their drinking limit to ensure that they do not over drink, always walking in safe places, ensuring that they maintain ethical practices with their colleagues, dressing appropriately as well as understanding the dynamics and the risks associated with sexual assault. This understanding will ensure that individuals act reasonably. Other measures whic h have been undertaken to reduce the instances of sexual harassment and assault include the implementation of strict laws and punishments by the authorities to scare those with sexual intentions. These include implementation of thorough punishments to those who are found guilty of any form of sexual harassment (Spohn, Cassia, and David, 653). To ensure that sexual harassment case is reported to the authorities, there has been developed various non-governmental organizations which advocate for human rights and which ensure that sexual harassment perpetrators face the law. In conclusion, sexual harassment has been a serious issue which needs to be examined and various issues which constitute the act be adequately stated. This involves the act of stating the various causes as well as the main aspects which motivate the occurrence of the event. The analysis of the problems encountered by the victims of sexual harassment should be used as indicators of the adverse effects caused by th e occurrence of such events.