Preface

Sexual assault can be considered as expression of aggression through sex. This in turn can have serious negative effects on a survivor's social and occupational functioning. Unfortunately, it has been experienced in all cultures for centuries. The accumulation of scientific data about this fact, though, is quite new. We started learning about the ways that women, men, and children are victimized and our methods of disclosing this victimization only started since 1970. In reality, we have very limited knowledge of the actual issue.

Although the number of published research papers has been very high over the last years and the scientific methodology is quite reliable, the results are far from reflecting the truth, because the actual number of cases is enormous compared to what is reported. Victims do not disclose the assault, and they prefer silence.

There are numerous reasons for this kind of refusal, which differ based on the cultural and social environment of the assaulted. It seems that the rhetoric of 'what we know is only the tip of the iceberg' seems to reflect reality. Shame and embarrassment, self blame, fear of exposure, fear of the legal system and the court procedures are some of the international reasons that prevent thousands of sexual assault survivors from reporting the assault.

That is certainly a very serious multidimensional problem, the solution of which is complicated. Various parties have to help in facilitating the solution by approaching the issue from their specific angle.

The institutional approach should involve all those establishments that are involved in a sexual assault case identification and victim rehabilitation. The victims generally complain about re-victimization following the disclosure of an assault. This notion has to be completely erased. How can we achieve that? The answer is in a correct and effective coordination of the various parties. Coping with sexual assault is a truly multidisciplinary process. Lawyers, judges, doctors, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists and pediatricians are involved and they all have to be educated on the issue of dealing with sexual assault. Besides, the law enforcement has to be aware of that interdisciplinary need. In any case, an organized, well informed group of people must deal with the victims in a way that will ensure that they will not be hurt anymore.

#### X Preface

Secondly, the victims themselves, the vulnerable people but also the general public should be aware of the possibility of sexual assault. Awareness-raising activities should be developed according to various age groups and specific policies should be applied. A real success of such an awareness-raising activity can be the empowerment of the survivors. Their fear may be changed to an accomplishment because following their disclosure, others in the community may be protected from becoming victims.

Preface XI

You will find the Zambian approach in this book interesting which includes different risk factors like possible HIV infection following sexual assault. The female children that are considered to be the most vulnerable individuals for sexual assault also have a

We also have to have in mind that cultural differences require different strategic plans for coping with this issue. Cultural factors influence individuals' worldviews and shape the way they see the world and their place in it. It shapes the way meanings are given to experiences and they are passed between individual groups and generations. One solution may not necessarily be suitable for all cases. The attitude of different communities may lead to the cover-up of sex crimes at the expense of victims. The third section of this book includes different attitudes in coping with sexual assault

We all hope that this book will open a debate on sexual assault for future practice and

**Ersi Abac Kalfoğlu** 

**Rehat Faikoğlu**

Turkey

Turkey

Yeni Yüzyil University,

Yeni Yüzyil University,

Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences,

Director of the Sexual Assault Crisis Center, Director of the Department of Nursing,

high risk of HIV infection. This brings about a serious public health problem.

based on different cultural backgrounds.

policy and that it will be a step forward to 'break the silence'.

It is known that if the trauma of sexual assault is left unrecognized and unaddressed, a cycle of re-traumatization will always be a high possibility. Therefore, once the case is disclosed or found out, a rehabilitation strategy has to be systematized and psychologists have to be seriously involved.

It is also known that there is a risk of developing a perpetrator from a sexual assault victim if not treated properly.

We can only have progress in this issue in the light of correctly processed and analyzed scientific data.

This book has been organized on that specific approach, by compiling the scientific work of very well-known scientists from all over the world. Three different sections included three different aspects of the issue.

The first part examined the psychological victimization of sexual assault. Sexual assault can be considered as an articulation of aggression through sex which can impair. Sexual assault has been associated with post traumatic stress disorder that may be characterized by mood disorders, anxiety disorders, conduct disorders, substance abuse, and suicidal behaviors, chronic headaches, maladaptive sexual behaviors, dissociative behaviors, depression, alcoholism, panic disorder and social phobia, chronic fatigue, gradually developing to asthma and cardiovascular problems and even self-injurious or suicidal behaviors.

Is there a possibility for a sexual abuse survivor to use this experience in a positively transformative way? Scientists today say yes. You can find an analytical explanation of this approach in the pages of this book.

Prisons are places where extremely valuable information can be collected. The largely neglected prison population is thoroughly analyzed and the information is shared with us in this book.

The traumatic experiences in childhood may be converted to organic diseases later in life and the problem is that sexual assault survivors are generally resistant to any kind of treatment because they believe that they do not deserve such care. Thus we have to find ways to approach them effectively. This book, in its second section, deals with this physiological aspect of sexual abuse.

You will find the Zambian approach in this book interesting which includes different risk factors like possible HIV infection following sexual assault. The female children that are considered to be the most vulnerable individuals for sexual assault also have a high risk of HIV infection. This brings about a serious public health problem.

X Preface

Secondly, the victims themselves, the vulnerable people but also the general public should be aware of the possibility of sexual assault. Awareness-raising activities should be developed according to various age groups and specific policies should be applied. A real success of such an awareness-raising activity can be the empowerment of the survivors. Their fear may be changed to an accomplishment because following their disclosure, others in the community may be protected from becoming victims.

It is known that if the trauma of sexual assault is left unrecognized and unaddressed, a cycle of re-traumatization will always be a high possibility. Therefore, once the case is disclosed or found out, a rehabilitation strategy has to be systematized and

It is also known that there is a risk of developing a perpetrator from a sexual assault

We can only have progress in this issue in the light of correctly processed and

This book has been organized on that specific approach, by compiling the scientific work of very well-known scientists from all over the world. Three different sections

The first part examined the psychological victimization of sexual assault. Sexual assault can be considered as an articulation of aggression through sex which can impair. Sexual assault has been associated with post traumatic stress disorder that may be characterized by mood disorders, anxiety disorders, conduct disorders, substance abuse, and suicidal behaviors, chronic headaches, maladaptive sexual behaviors, dissociative behaviors, depression, alcoholism, panic disorder and social phobia, chronic fatigue, gradually developing to asthma and cardiovascular problems and

Is there a possibility for a sexual abuse survivor to use this experience in a positively transformative way? Scientists today say yes. You can find an analytical explanation of

Prisons are places where extremely valuable information can be collected. The largely neglected prison population is thoroughly analyzed and the information is shared

The traumatic experiences in childhood may be converted to organic diseases later in life and the problem is that sexual assault survivors are generally resistant to any kind of treatment because they believe that they do not deserve such care. Thus we have to find ways to approach them effectively. This book, in its second section, deals with this

psychologists have to be seriously involved.

included three different aspects of the issue.

even self-injurious or suicidal behaviors.

this approach in the pages of this book.

physiological aspect of sexual abuse.

with us in this book.

victim if not treated properly.

analyzed scientific data.

We also have to have in mind that cultural differences require different strategic plans for coping with this issue. Cultural factors influence individuals' worldviews and shape the way they see the world and their place in it. It shapes the way meanings are given to experiences and they are passed between individual groups and generations. One solution may not necessarily be suitable for all cases. The attitude of different communities may lead to the cover-up of sex crimes at the expense of victims. The third section of this book includes different attitudes in coping with sexual assault based on different cultural backgrounds.

We all hope that this book will open a debate on sexual assault for future practice and policy and that it will be a step forward to 'break the silence'.

> **Ersi Abac Kalfoğlu**  Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Yeni Yüzyil University, Turkey

#### **Rehat Faikoğlu**

Director of the Sexual Assault Crisis Center, Director of the Department of Nursing, Yeni Yüzyil University, Turkey

**Part 1** 

**The Psychology of Sexual Victimization** 
