Sexual Violent and its Prevention

Sexual violence is a social justice issue.  All people have a basic right to be respected. People who commit violence take away that right. It can impact a person’s trust and feeling of safety. 
People commit sexual violence for several reasons:
·         To control another person
·         To use another person for sex
·         To hold power over another person

We also live in a culture that allows sexual violence. This is rape culture. Things that make rape culture possible include:

·         Social inequality

·         Violence seems normal (TV, video games, etc.)

·         Myths about sexual violence

·         Blaming victims 

·         Silence about these issues

All of these things give people who perpetrate sexual violence social license to operate in this way. 

To prevent sexual violence we have to change the culture.  Effective prevention strategies make the connection between all forms of oppression (including racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, adultism, ageism, and others). They talk about how these things create a rape culture, allow inequality to thrive, and make violence seem normal.

You can make small changes to help change the culture. Some ideas are:

·         Building healthy and supportive relationships

·         Speaking up when you hear harmful comments

        Creating supportive policies in workplaces and schools

Safety planning when someone is hurting you:

·         Lean on a support network. Having someone you can reach out to for support can be an important part of staying safe and recovering. Find someone you trust who could respond to a crisis if you needed their help.

·         Become familiar with safe places. Learn more about safe places near you such as a local domestic violence shelter or a family member’s house. Learn the routes and commit them to memory. Find out more about sexual assault service providers in your area that can offer support.

·         Stay safe at home. If the person hurting you is in your home, you can take steps to feel safer. Try hanging bells or a noise maker on your door to scare the person hurting you away, or sleep in public spaces like the living room. If possible, keep the doors inside your house locked or put something heavy in front of them. If you’re protecting yourself from someone who does not live with you, keep all the doors locked when you’re not using them, and install an outside lighting system with motion detectors. Change the locks if possible.

·         Keep computer safety in mind. If you think someone might be monitoring your computer use, consider regularly clearing your cache, history, and cookies. You could also use a different computer at a friend’s house or a public library.

·         Create a code word. It might be a code between you and your children that means “get out,” or with your support network that means “I need help.”

·         Prepare an excuse. Create several plausible reasons for leaving the house at different times or for existing situation that might become dangerous. Have these on hand in case you need to get away quickly.

Safety planning when someone is stalking you:

·         Tell someone you trust. Stalking shouldn’t be kept a secret. Tell your parents, loved ones, a trusted adult, or the local police to determine if a report can be made.

·         Be prepared to reach out. If possible, keep your cell phone charged and have emergency contact numbers programmed ahead of time. You may want to save these contacts under a different name. Memorize a few numbers in case you don’t have cell phone access in the future.

·         Change your routine. Be aware of your daily routine and begin to alter it overtime. Switch up the way you commute more often, taking different routes or different modes of transportation.

Visit the Stalking Resource Center for more ways to stay safe.

Safety planning when leaving the person hurting you:

·         Make an escape bag. Pack a bag that includes all important papers and documents, such as your birth certificate, license, passport, social security card, bills, prescription drugs, and medical records. Include cash, keys, and credit cards. Hide the bag well. If it’s discovered, call it a “hurricane bag” or “fire bag.” If you are escaping with children, include their identifying information as well.

·         Prepare your support network. Keep your support network in the loop. Let them know how to respond if the perpetrator contacts them.

·         Plan a destination. If you’re not going to stay with someone you know, locate the nearest domestic violence shelter or homeless shelter.

·         Plan a route. Then plan a backup route. If you are driving, have a tank of gas filled at all times. If you rely on public transportation, know the routes departure times. Many public transportation systems have mobile apps that update their schedules and arrival times.

Important Safety Note: If the dangerous situation involves a partner, go to the police or a shelter first.

         

References

http://www.nsvrc.org/saam/preventing-sexual-violence

https://www.rainn.org/get-information/sexual-assault-prevention/safety-plan

By
Khoo Jing Jing
Students of Bachelor In Public Relations (Honours)
Faculty Social Science, Arts and Humanities
Tunku Abdul Rahman University College