Violence Assignment

Fact Sheet 2011 How does sexual violence affect health? Sexual Violence (SV ) refers to sexual activity where consent is not obtained or freely given. Anyone can experience SV, but most victims are female. The person responsible for the violence is typically male and is usually someone known to the victim. The person can be, but is not limited to, a friend, coworker, neighbor, or family member.

There are many types of SV. Not all include physical contact between the victim and the perpetrator (person who harms someone else) – for example, sexual harassment, threats, and peeping. Other SV, including unwanted touching and rape, includes physical contact.SV can impact health in many ways. Some ways are serious and can lead to long-term health problems.

These include chronic pain, headaches, stomach problems, and sexually transmitted diseases.

SV can have an emotional impact as well. Victims often are fearful and anxious. They may replay the attack over and over in their minds. They may have problems with trust and be wary of becoming involved with others.

The anger and stress that victims feel may lead to eating disorders and depression. Some even think about or attempt suicide.

SV is also linked to negative health behaviors. For example, victims are more likely to smoke, abuse alcohol, use drugs, and engage in risky sexual activity. Why is sexual violence a public health problem? SV is a significant problem in the United States:

• Among high school students surveyed nationwide, about 8% reported having been forced to have sex.

The percentage of those having been forced to ever have sex was higher among female (11%) than male (5%) students. 1 • An estimated 20% to 25% of college women in the United States have experienced an attempted or complete rape during their college career. 2 • In the United States, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men reported experiencing an attempted or completed rape at some time in their lives. 3 These numbers underestimate the problem. Many cases are not reported because victims are afraid to tell the police, friends, or family about the abuse. 3 Victims also think that their stories of abuse will not be believed and that police cannot help them. 3 They may be ashamed or embarrassed. Victims may also keep quiet because they have been threatened with further harm if they tell anyone. Who is at risk for sexual violence? Certain factors can increase the risk for SV. However, the presence of these factors does not mean that SV will occur.

Risk factors for perpetration (harm to someone else): • Being male • Having friends that are sexually aggressive • Witnessing or experiencing violence as a child • Alcohol or drug use • Being exposed to social norms, or shared beliefs, that support sexual violence Note: This is a partial list of risk factors. For more information, see www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention. Understanding Sexual Violence National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Division of Violence Prevention How can we prevent sexual violence?

How does CDC approach sexual violence prevention? Where can I learn more? The ultimate goal is to stop SV before it begins. Efforts at many levels are needed to accomplish this. Some examples include:

• Engaging high school students in mentoring programs or other skill-based activities that address healthy sexuality and dating relationships.

• Helping parents identify and address violent attitudes and behaviors in their kids.

• Creating policies at work, at school, and in other places that address sexual harassment.

• Developing mass media (e.g., radio, TV, magazines, newspapers) messages that promote norms, or shared beliefs, about healthy sexual relationships.

For more examples, see Sexual Violence Prevention: Beginning the Dialogue (www.cdc.gov/ violenceprevention/pub/SVPrevention.html.).

CDC uses a 4-step approach to address public health problems like sexual violence.

Step 1: Define the problem Before we can prevent SV, we need to know how big the problem is, where it is, and whom it affects. CDC learns about a problem by gathering and studying data. These data are critical because they help decision makers use resources where needed most.

Step 2: Identify risk and protective factors It is not enough to know that SV affects certain people in a certain area. We also need to know why. CDC conducts and supports research to answer this question. We can then develop programs to reduce or get rid of risk factors.

Step 3: Develop and test prevention strategies Using information gathered in research, CDC develops and evaluates strategies to prevent SV. References 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance – United States, 2009.

Surveillance Summaries, June 4, 2010. MMWR 2010;59(No. SS-5).

2. Fisher BS, Cullen FT, Turner MG. The sexual victimization of college women. Washington (DC):

Department of Justice (US), National Institute of Justice; 2000. Publication No.: NCJ 182369.

3. Tjaden P, Thoennes N. Extent, nature, and consequences of intimate partner violence: findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey.

Washington (DC): Department of Justice (US); 2000.

Publication No.: NCJ 181867. Available from: URL:

www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/181867.htm. 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) • [email protected] • www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention Understanding Sexual Violence Step 4: Assure widespread adoption In this final step, CDC shares the best prevention strategies. CDC may also provide funding or technical help so communities can adopt these strategies.

For a list of CDC activities, see Preventing Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence: Program Activities Guide (www.cdc.

gov/violenceprevention/pub/ipv_sv_guide.html).

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network Hotline www.rainn.org or (800) 656-HOPE National Sexual Violence Resource Center www.nsvrc.org Violence Against Women Network (VAWnet) www.vawnet.org Prevention Connection www.preventconnect.org STOP IT NOW!