MUN PSYCH 3533 - Chapter 17

terms related to unwanted sex-related behaviors

-Sexual assault

-Sexual consent

-Rape

-Sexual harassment

-Stalking

-Human sex trafficking

-Marital rape (marital sexual assault)

why is it important to understand sexual aggression?

-to understand the full range of sexual behaviors and desires

-to be able to respond to unwanted sexual advances

primary paraphilic disorders of individuals who commit rape

-frotteuristic disorder

-sexual sadism disorder

history of rape laws

-Prior to 1983, "rape" was confined to forced heterosexual intercourse by a man on a woman outside of marriage

-Criminal code was amended in 1983 and changed rape to three gender-neutral charges of sexual assault

three gender-neutral charges of sexual assault

-Sexual assault: minor or no physical injuries (10 year sentence)

-Sexual assault with a weapon or threats (14 year sentence)

-Aggravated sexual assault (Life sentence)

how well do people identify sexual offenses

-study with undergraduate students demonstrated that people are rarely accurate in their understanding of what is or is not a sexual offense

-People who had more exposure to the legal system were no more knowledgeable than students with less exposure

prevalence estimates of sexual assault

vary substantially, depending on the definitions, measures, and samples used.

victimization rates of sexual assault

higher for:

-girls/women (7 times higher)

-Indigenous respondents (3 times higher)

-same-gender/sex-oriented or bisexual respondents (5 times higher)

University women risk of sexual assault

Estimated 20 to 25 percent experience attempted or completed sexual assault throughout their university years.

Prevalence rates of sexual assault among children and teens

Somewhat lower than rates among adults, but they remain alarmingly high.

Human sex trafficking

A form of slavery that includes buying, selling, and smuggling human beings and forcing them to perform sexual acts.

Victims of sex trafficking in Canada

Can be found in strip clubs, massage parlours, escort agencies, or other avenues of sex work.

People trafficked in Canada (2009-2016)

-1,220 people

-340 people in 2016

most at risk for human sex trafficking

Indigenous women and girls are at particular risk

risk factors in certain communities for human sex trafficking

-Poverty

-Domestic violence

-High crime rates

-inadequate laws and services

Effects of sexual assault

-One of the most severe forms of trauma

-impacts can be felt for a year or more

-PTSD

-family and partners may be effected

Rape trauma syndrome (RTS)

Includes an acute phase occurring immediately after assault and a reorganizational phase that may last from months to years.

how to ease the road to recovery from sexual assault

-Social support and professional help

-cognitive behavioral therapy

-Supportive counselling and pharmacotherapy have been used

Reasons for sexual assault

-A wide variety of contextual factors can contribute

-certain factors such as rape, myths, situational characteristics, and personal characteristics

Rape myths

-these myths are used to legitimize rape, or can cause society not to view an assault for what it is

-believed among women and men (young and old)

myths connected to a broader rape culture

-Women cause men to assault them because of the way they look or dress

-It is not sexual assault if either person is drunk or under the influence of drugs at the time of the assault

-Rapists come from a certain demographic of people: non-white, lower-class, "Criminal types"

-Women often make false reports of sexual assault

-You can tell a rapist by the way they look

-Sexual assault usually occurs outside at night

-Sexual assault usually occurs between strangers

-Sexual assault is an impulsive act of sexual gratification

-If the victim did not physically fight back, they weren't sexually assaulted

-A person cannot be assaulted by their intimate partner

Situational characteristics of sexual assault

-Cultures where gender/sex inequity or intolerance regarding sexual orientation flourish show higher incidences of sexual assault

-A lack of policies that specifically and clearly make sexual assault unacceptable are associated with higher prevalence of sexual assaults

More likely to occur:

-in private places, such as houses or parties, where people are using drugs or alcohol

-where the perpetrator is known to the victim

when are sexual offenders more likely to offend

-if they have access to a victim

-lack social support

-misuse drugs.

statistics on offenders of sexual assault

97% of individuals accused of sexual offenses in canada were male

core dynamic risk factors of offenders

-Intimacy deficits

-Offense-supportive social influences

-Offense-supported attitudes

-Limited sexual self-regulation

-Limited general self-regulation

Etiology of sexually assaultive behavior

Based on a synthesis of the forensic psychological literature by Martin Lalumiere and colleagues.

Three routes to sexual offending

-Young male syndrome

-competitive disadvantage

-psychopathy

Preventing sexual victimization against women

-self-defense training

-assertiveness training

-verbal and physical resistance training.

prevention programs for sexual assault

-stresses importance of obtaining consent and ways to go about getting it

-focus on increasing knowledge and changing attitudes have not been overly effective

Practical advice following sexual assault

-Provide support to the victim

-Ensure the victim they are not to blame

-Obtain medical assistance if necessary (Forensic examination)

-Medications can be taken within 72 hours to prevent HIV/AIDS and other STIs (plan B can be taken to prevent pregnancy)

Forensic examination after sexual assault

-can provide key evidence

-samples can be collected within 72 hours

Sexual victimization of men

-0.2 to 0.3% of men have been sexually victimized

-serious underreporting may occur due to social beliefs about vulnerability and masculinity

-possible for men to be victimized by another man or woman and get a physical erection despite feeling fear

Effects of assault on men

Very similar to females who have been assaulted.

Childhood sexual abuse

-Addressed in Canadian laws on sexual assault and several statutes in the criminal code of Canada

-some children may also become abusers

Child abuse related issues

-Depression

-Anxiety

-PTSD

-Sexual dysfunction

-interpersonal problems in adulthood

Laws prohibiting sexual acts involving children

-All sexual assault categories discussed for adults

-Sexual interference (10 years in prison)

-Invitation to sexual touching (10 years in prison)

-Sexual exploitation (10 years in prison)

-Corrupting children (2 years in prison)

-Luring a child (10 years in prison)

-Incest (14 years in prison)

-Parent or guardian procuring, permitting sexual activity, or corrupting children (5 years in prison)

-Anal intercourse under 18 (10 years in prison)

-Child pornography (5 to 10 years in prison)

Sexual harassment

-Affects most people at some point during their lifetimes

-digital harassment exists

-four definitions

Definitions of harassment

-Legal

-Psychological or subjective

-Behavioral

-Sex-based

sexual harassment as an employee

-It interferes with a person's ability to do the job

-Surveys show it is very common to experience on-the-job harassment

Employee harassment protections

Protected under Canada labor code and Canadian human rights code.

sexual harassment as a student

-It may involve an instructor proposing to alter a grade in exchange for sexual favors

-It may be sexually offensive remarks

Effects of sexual harassment

-can be traumatic and often cause long-term difficulties in both their professional and personal lives

-It can lead to psychological, physical health, and interpersonal problems

-Low self-esteem, irritability, withdrawal, depression, anxiety, inability to focus on work, and lack of interest

-Panic attacks, nausea, or sleeplessness are other possible effects

Legal sanctions for sexual harassment

-Do not include incarceration; dealt with as a human rights violation with fines up to $50,000.

-workplace sanctions often imposed

Stalking

-Known as criminal harassment in the Canadian criminal code

-involves following, intimidating, or tracking another person against their will

Prevalence of stalking

12-16% of women and 4-7% of men have been stalked during their lifetime.

Effects of stalking

-more chronic than sexual assault

-can have severe psychological, economic, and social impacts on victims (Depression, confusion, fear, distrust of others, anger or aggression, sleep disturbances, appetite problems, and psychosomatic symptoms)

-may avoid going out with friends or doing outside activities

Characteristics of stalkers

-Three-quarters of stalkers are male

-Many are older than other criminals, between 35 and 40

-Many have various psychological problems (delusional disorder, personality disorder, substance-related disorder, or psychotic disorder)

-A criminal history is not uncommon for stalkers

Legal sanctions for stalking

Imprisonment for a time not to exceed 10 years if found guilty.

legal protections for those being stalked

-Peace bonds

-Restraining orders

-Protection orders