Hs 207 week 3 individual trauma sexual assault

1. Individual trauma
Sexual Assault

2. Definitions
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual assault
FBI Uniform crime report definition of rape

3. Maine picture
• A recent study found that nearly 1 in 5 Maine
residents (adults) report that they have been the
victim of rape or attempted rape during their
lifetime. 29% of women; 7.5 of men(rape
response services, rrsonline.org)
• Approx 14000 Maine residents are victims of
unwanted sexual activity in any given 12 month
period(rrs.org)
• 39% of victims who call in state hotlines do so
within the first month following assault

4. • Almost 90% of those who call Maine's sexual
assault crisis lines are women
• Preble street(Portland) reports that 44% of
women interviewed for their report, Women
and Homelessness reported being a victim of
sexual assault since becoming homeless.

5. • Rape is a crime of violence, not a “sexual”
crime in the sense most people think of
• Many, including national police organizations
and the FBI, believe rape is one of the most
underreported violent crimes
• Rape and sexual assault happens at the same
rate per capita regardless of where one lives
> slight increase in college towns

6. • Many factors influence this crime
>Socio- cultural
>Family systems
> Previous trauma history
Once traumatized, people are more likely to be
re-victimized. May lose, or have never
developed knowledge of self protective
behaviors

7. • Most victims know their perpetrator
• Victims are often stalked prior to assault
• Perpetrator knows patterns of behavior of
victims

8. Rape Trauma Syndrome
• Common reaction to rape or sexual assault
• 3 phases (handout)
• Relationship of symptoms to PTSD
• Support, counseling can minimize PTSD effects
• With any trauma , active coping vs. passive
coping influences development of PTSD
Active= decrease; passive = increase
• Partner counseling

9. Prevention
• Public Health Model – societal factors that
influence the incidence of rape / sexual
violence in our society
• Changing social and cultural norms
• FBI definitions recent change due to major
public health initiative