Sexual assault: A growing problem among women worldwide

[undeterred]

By Rhodilee Jean Dolor, Tech Times | February 16, 8:16 PM

Sexual assault is apparently more prevalent than it seems. In a new study, researchers have found that one in 14 women, who are over 15 years old, has been sexually assaulted by a non-partner. In the study "Worldwide prevalence of non-partner sexual violence: a systematic review", which was published in The Lancet Feb. 11, researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the South African Medical Research Council and the World Health Organization used 77 studies published between the years 1998 and 2011 to find global estimates of non-partner sexual violence against women who are at least 15 years old.

The researchers found that 7.2 percent of women worldwide experienced sexual violence perpetrated by strangers, family members, friends and acquaintances who are not their partner. The situation is also worse in some regions where the percentage of women getting sexually assaulted is as high as 21 percent. "Our findings, that one in 14 women worldwide has been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner, highlight what a pressing health and human rights concern this is," said study co-author Charlotte Watts, Director of the Gender, Violence and Health Centre at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom.

The Democratic Republic of Congo had the highest rate of sexual violence at 21 percent. Many women also experienced sexual violence in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe (17.4 percent), as well as in developed countries such as Australia and New Zealand (16.4 percent). India and Bangladesh showed the lowest rate at 3.3 percent each followed by Turkey at 4.5 percent. "Sexual violence against women is common worldwide, with endemic levels seen in some areas, although large variations between settings need to be interpreted with caution because of differences in data availability and levels of disclosure," the researchers wrote. "Nevertheless, our findings indicate a pressing health and human rights concern."

The researchers noted that the data they gathered may not actually reflect the true magnitude of the problem because of the stigma associated with sexual violence which leads to under-reporting and consequently lack of quality population-based data. "There are still many gaps in the global data - countries need to have strong population-based data, to ensure that they can understand the scale of problem, and who is most at risk," Watts said. "Alongside support and legal responses, it is important to invest in prevention to stop future violence."

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/3419/20140216/sexual-assault-a-growing-problem-among-women-worldwide.htm

[libodem]

1. I can't believe it isn't higher?

Isn't it 1 in 3 here in the States? You would think it was 1 in 2. Or everyone. I swear I get so mad about even the stuff that is sanctioned like ten year old child brides.
They don't even get counted as an abuse.
So if the United states is a rape culture, what do they call the world? Seriously, we have a world rape culture?
I don't know why, and I wish I could explain it better but it's the terminology of 'culture', that bothers me.
A culture has always meant to me a small organized group of ethnic, lifestyle, or religious factions, within the larger body of citizens.
Rape seems more pervasive than a small cross section like a slice of pie, more woven into the entire fabric of cross cultural living.
I don't doubt that rape is happening constantly and that it is as damaging as murder but why is it a culture club? Why is it not just rape?

[In_The_Wind]

2. I haven't looked at the data.

But how many were younger, like under the age of 10.

[libodem]

5. That must be it

A different demographic. This must be primarily a sampling of females with secondary sex characteristics since it starts at 15. That leaves a lot who didn't get counted.

[undeterred]

3. Low reporting.

The FBI has always suggested that only 1 in 10 rapes is actually reported. Something like 1 in 10 is successfully prosecuted. Its largely because there are so many acquaintance rapes. So we are talking about a very difficult crime to deal with. A lot of education has taken place in our own culture in the last 40 years, but we can't slack off. A lot more is still needed. And around the world there are many places were marital rape is not a crime and it is even more difficult to prosecute rape.

Reporting is a traumatic experience for the victim and in many cases accomplishes nothing positive. So, there is a lot of work to be done to make it effective.

[libodem]

4. Low reporting sounds about right

I know many women are too ashamed or fearful to tell. The whole ordeal must be awful, from the report of the embarrassing detail s to the rape kit exam.

I admire the victim advocates who are brave enough in their own right to support the patient.

[Sherman A1]

6. Agreed

I think it is a case of low reporting and while not having read the information at the link, I wonder does it include other forms of abuse such as physical and verbal? Are they not all interconnected?