Sexual Abuse on Women

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Sexual abuse, also known as sexual assault, is any sort of sexual activity that one doesn’t agree to which includes, inappropriate touching, vaginal, anal, or oral penetration, sexual intercourse that one says no to, rape, attempted rape, as well as child molestation.

Sexual abuse is usually verbal or visual. It can also be anything that forces a person to be in unwanted sexual contact. There are many examples of sexual abuse like voyeurism, exhibitionism, incest, and sexual harassment. Voyeurism means when a person has sexual interest in people that are engaged in private intimate behaviors. Exhibitionism refers to one’s desire of exposing his/her parts of their body in public. Incest is sexual intercourse between family members. Sexual abuse can happen anywhere by anyone whether it’s a stranger or someone a person knows. Most sexually abused women suffer serious health problems as well as emotional problems.

According to “Violence Against Women: Partner and Sexual Assault” (2004), it is estimated that there is 5.3 million interpersonal violence victimizations that have occurred among the US women of ages 18 years and older. This has resulted in nearly 2 million injuries with more than 550,000 requiring medical aid. A recent survey has shown that approximately 1 out of 5 female students that are between grades 9 and 12 have reported that they have been sexually and/or physically abused by their date (Donohoe, 2004). Dating violence is usually at increased risk when there is substance usage involved. It is also found that fifteen percent to twenty percent of women that are seen in primary care clinics are abused within the past years. Also, in the emergency departments, the 22% to 35% of women that are treated for t...

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...re better equipped in handling and reporting abuse routinely. Also, changes in laws to protect the victims would improve the status of women.

Works Cited

Campbell, R., Greeson, M., & Patterson, D. (2011). Defining the boundaries: How sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) balance patient care and law enforcement collaboration. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 7, 17-26.

Donohoe, M. (2004). Violence against women: Partner abuse and sexual assault. Retrieved from http://phsj.org/files/Women's Health/partner abuse and sexual assault - Hospital Physician.pdf

Howard, A., Riger, S., Campbell, R., & Wasco, S.M. (2003). Counseling services for battered women: A comparison of outcomes for physical and sexual abuse survivors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 18, 717-734.

Travis, C. (1988). Women and health psychology. LAWRENCE ERLBAUM ASSOCIATES.

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