What is sexual violence and what are the consequences?

Beyond physical violence, there are many ways to violate someone's dignity and health.

After the scandalous sentence issued on the trial of five men who sexually assaulted a young woman, a large part of the population has been shocked, thus generating a social debate in relation to sexual violence and how a reform of the penal code would be fundamental.

It is more necessary than ever to be clear about the meaning of sexual violence and the nature of the type of acts of sexual violence. and the nature of the type of acts of which it is composed.

What is sexual violence?

The concept of sexual violence refers to a traumatic experience in relation to the sexual activity maintained by two or more people maintained by two or more people where there is no consent by one of the people involved. This term encompasses three types of violence.

1. Sexual harassment

Firstly, sexual harassment is usually carried out verbally, through messages, calls or through coercion and blackmail, i.e., the use of psychological violence, the use of psychological violence. The aggressor pressures and intimidates the victim with the aim of getting the other person to have sexual relations. For example, in the workplace, a person coerces another person to have sexual relations or else he/she will lose his/her job.

2. Sexual abuse

Another type of sexual violence we encounter is sexual abuse. This term refers to any action that forces a person, man or woman, to perform sexual behaviors that he or she does not want to perform or maintain. That is, the aggressor, whether male or female, assumes the freedom to access another person's body without that person's consent.and there is no authorization of sexual activity by one of the parties.

3. Sexual Assault

Finally, sexual assault consists of access to the victim's body, without consent, and employing the use of direct violence as a means to achieve sexual activity. violence as a means of achieving sexual activity. The most serious form of sexual assault is through penetration.

Beyond physical pain

As can be seen, the offender's sentence can vary depending on the type of sexual violence employed. One of the main differences between the three types is the use of physical violence. But as we know physical violence is not the only form of violence that exists. and as the name itself indicates, in the different types we find ourselves under a case of sexual violence.

Perhaps, part of the debate opened in recent days should be focused here and that it is not the use of physical violence that determines a greater or lesser sentence, but the act itself, the simple fact of restricting someone's sexual freedom that is condemned.

The sentence issued states that there is no physical violence, since the victim admits that she chose not to resist. There may be no visible blows or wounds, but non-consensual penetration by five men towards a woman, the coercion on sexual freedom and of course the emotional damage and the subsequent psychological consequences are more than enough.

Why are we sometimes unable to defend ourselves against a threat?

One of the reproaches that has been made to the victim is that she did not oppose at the time of the sexual act. This behavior, from a psychobiological point of view, has a survival function when we are facing a threat of different nature.

In our brain we have an extremely powerful sensor, known as amygdala, which will be the internal alarm that warns us that there is an external or internal threat, since it is one of the areas in charge of fear. When our alarm is activated our body will prepare to face that threat, that is, we prepare to give a fight or flight response. I get a great discharge of adrenaline will appear in the organism in the organism participating in this response. At the same time, the areas in charge of decision making are inhibited, anesthetized, due to the stress chemicals.

Therefore, the person is in a state of hyperactivation, i.e. all his alarm systems are activated, resulting in a total incapacity to make decisions, so that our nervous system will decide instinctivelyTherefore, our nervous system will be the one to decide in an instinctive way, promoting our survival.

In the face of very serious threats, panic, trauma and crisis situations, where the situation overwhelms us and we do not have the necessary resources, our brain automatically disconnects. This phenomenon is known as dissociationthus protecting us from emotional Pain and suffering. In this state there is a relative absence of sensations, freezing of emotions or reduction of physical movements. Being the least active defense, we will not try to flee, we will not be able to say no. Our brain will speak for us. It will be our brain that speaks for us and the person will act automatically.

What are the psychological and emotional consequences of sexual abuse?

These are some of the common sequelae of experiences related to sexual abuse.

1. PTSD

A Post Traumatic Stress Disorder may occur whose symptoms are related to the appearance of nightmares where the event is relived. Appearance of flashbacks where the memory appears in a very invasive way, negative thoughts, and mood alterations.

2. Appearance of feelings of guilt and shame

The victim has the false belief that what happened could have been avoided if he/she had acted differently.

3. Fear of speaking out

Inability of the victim to tell what happened for fear of rejection. fear of rejection.

4. Depressive feelings

Sometimes they even develop an emotional disorder.

5. Isolation

Social isolation can occur either because of shame, fear or distrust of others..

6. Self-injury

Use of self-injurious behaviors as a way of calming the emotional damage suffered or even the appearance of suicidal behavior.

7. Drug use

Substance abuse as a way of isolating oneself and not thinking about what happened as a way of calming all the emotional damage.

8. Diminished self-esteem

All this leaves a mark on the self-concept.

Reliving the trauma

It is important to take into account the re-victimization of the victim generated by institutions, media and professionals. by institutions, media and professionals.. Certain initiatives make the victim relive again and again the pain and emotions that are associated with the traumatic event. Especially in cases as mediatic as this last one, where even the victim is being questioned in relation to the response given.