Unit 7 Learning Objectives

Question 1

What are the types of victims of sexual assault?

Answer 1

Primary victims are innocent individuals victimized due to circumstances. Secondary victims are those close to the primary victim (family, friends) who suffer indirectly from the assault.

Question 2

What is the incidence and prevalence of sexual assault?

Answer 2

Rennison (1999) reported 333,000 victims of completed or attempted rapes or sexual assaults in a year. For females aged 12+, the rate was 2.7 per 1,000 people.

Question 3

What is the typical relationship between sexual assault victims and offenders?

Answer 3

Most offenders are known to the victim. 37.7% of sexual assaults are by family members, 41% by acquaintances, and only 14.9% by strangers (Greenfeld, 1997).

Question 4

What are typical reactions of victims to sexual assault?

Answer 4

Victims often go through three phases: Shock (anxiety, guilt), Denial (suppression), and Integration (acceptance, but with possible setbacks).

Question 5

What are the consequences of victims’ fear after sexual assault?

Answer 5

Victims may experience social withdrawal, fear of strangers, lack of trust, economic costs (security expenses), and personal consequences like PTSD and depression.

Question 6

What are the stages of psychological processing by sexual assault victims?

Answer 6

Stage 1: Shock; Stage 2: Denial; Stage 3: Integration. Each stage varies in intensity and duration among individuals.

Question 7

What services are available for sexual assault victims?

Answer 7

Services include personal advocacy, referrals, restitution support, court orientation and escort, transportation, and emotional support (Table 13.5).

Question 8

What are common social perceptions of sexual offenders?

Answer 8

Sex offenders are widely stigmatized, often ranked lowest in prison social hierarchies, and perceived as untreatable or deserving of punishment over rehabilitation.

Question 9

What are the key types of rehabilitation efforts for sexual offenders?

Answer 9

Rehabilitation includes behavioral therapy (conditioning), cognitive therapy (changing perceptions), and medical treatment (e.g., Depo-Provera).

Question 10

What are the main obstacles to changing sexual offending behaviours?

Answer 10

Obstacles include societal rejection, political reluctance, lack of criminal justice system support, and financial costs of treatment programs.