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The Reality Of Sexual Assault
Violence
<p>From college campuses to workplaces, to general communities, sexual assault is a common theme that is everywhere around the globe. It is a common theme in TV shows, books, and even music these days. There is no denying that it happens a lot and in many forms, but why are there not more people talking about it or seeking help? It comes down to the reality that secual assault is minimized.</p>
<p><strong>What does minimized mean relating to sexual assault?</strong></p>
<p>This is a term that means an assault or an attack of a sexual nature is believed/perceived to be less “traumatic” (and therefore, relevant and important) than the reality of it. Regardless of the situation, sexual assault should always been seen as important and relevant and traumatic, because it is.</p>
<p>You hear the term “victim blaming” used a lot in the media, which is a form of minimizing it and making it seem as though the victim themselves is responsible for the assault occurring. However, many survivors and victims themselves will minimize it even if those around them do not.</p>
<p><strong>What does minimizing sexual assault look like?</strong></p>
<p>This takes the form of the survivor refusing to seek help and support after an event occurs. It could imply reporting the assault, but it is used most often with seeking formal help in terms of therapy, support groups, etc.</p>
<p>Survivors often feel as though their attack was not “serious enough” to deserve support and help. Again, this is self-imposed rather than coming from outside forces in many cases. Since survivors do not feel as though their attack requires support, they suffer through its effects alone rather than reaching out.</p>
<p><strong>What themes are present in minimizing?</strong></p>
<p>In studies that focus on minimizing, three conclusions present themselves in survivors who were interviewed and assessed. These are:</p>
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<li><strong>Minimizing has no societal factors:</strong> Survivors can be in any social or cultural circle and still struggle equally with minimizing their assault. Some are worse than others, but the data shows minimizing knows no discrimination.</li>
</ul>
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<li><strong>Minimizing is less likely where an assault was complete:</strong> The only time where minimizing was not quite as popular is when the assault was considered “complete”, otherwise understood as it was not interrupted.</li>
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<li><strong>Minimizing does not guarantee any long-term consequences or effects:</strong> Even when survivors minimize, this does not guarantee that they will or will not struggle with mental health or other effects as a direct result of minimizing it.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What does this mean?</strong></p>
<p>While society has progressed in some situations where survivors are genuinely encouraged to come forward and then supported when reporting seeking help for secual assaults, these studies show that there is a need for change when it comes to the concept of minimizing and helping each survivor understand that sexual assault is always relevent and important and serious. While seeking help is always challenging, it becomes easier when minimization is not a factor.</p>
<p>As society continues to move forward with awareness about secua assault nad victim blaming, minimizing sexual assault should also be added to the list to make sure each survivor genuinely understands that formal help and support is available and they have as much or a right to it as anyone else.</p>