It has long been recognized that the true rate of
sexual violence is unknown due to difficulties arising from underreporting to
law enforcement; inconsistencies in the investigation, prosecution, and
follow-up of the incidents that are reported to the authorities; and societal
stigmas related to attitudes and beliefs about sexual abuse. In an attempt to address this issue, the
National Academy of Sciences released a 2013 report on Estimating the Incidence of Rape and Sexual Assault (http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=18605&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=napsm&utm_campaign=Hootsuite). This report addresses the
current measurement of victimization rates by the National Crime Victimization
Survey (NCVS), as well as concerns that the NCVS appears to be undercounting
rape and sexual assault. The NCVS was first developed to provide another source
of crime statistics beyond law enforcement data. It is a national household
survey that collects information on a broad set of criminal victimizations
(including rape and sexual assault) from victims rather than law enforcement.
As users of the NCVS data expressed concern about potential underestimation of
rape and sexual assault on the NCVS, the current report was requested by the
Bureau of Justice Statics (BJS) to identify the reasons for this possible
underestimation and provide best practice recommendations for measuring rape
and sexual assault in the future.
While
the report encompasses an intensive exploration of the strengths and weaknesses
of the current structure of the NCVS, it begins by identifying numerous
definitional problems when discussing rape and sexual assault as there are two
quite different perspectives on the measurement of these behaviors – the
criminal justice perspective, which focuses on “point-in-time” events that are
judged to be criminal, and the public health perspective, which looks at
victimization as a condition that endures over a period of time and may not
necessarily be criminal. Additional
issues identified were the considerable differences on the legal definitions of
rape, sexual assault, force, lack of consent, etc., as well as variance in the
manner in which measurement of rape and sexual assault is implemented, across
different jurisdictions. These
differences were also reflected on the existing body of independent surveys
investigating rape and sexual violence (i.e., National Women’s Study [1989-1991],
National Violence Against Women Study [1995-1996], National College Women
Sexual Victimization Study [1996], National Intimate Partner and Sexual
Violence Study [2010]).
These
definitional differences caught my attention, especially due to recent dialogue
in the media and on several professional listservs related to refining or
changing the label of “child pornography” to “child sexual abuse images” (see http://sajrt.blogspot.com/2013/11/bearing-witness-to-child-sexual-abuse_19.html). There are many different disciplines involved
in the prevention of sexual violence (e.g., law enforcement, victim advocates,
parole/probation officers, sexual offender treatment providers, community
groups) and we frequently work collaboratively on varying issues related to
offender management, victim safety, and policy development. Yet, when we engage in cross-disciplinary
discussion, how often do we begin these discussions with a conversation about how
we each define rape, sexual abuse, sexual violence, and other related
topics?
I
would assert that we often engage in these discussions with the assumption that
everyone involved is coming from the same definitional understanding. This likely occurs because we view each other
as partners working on the same issues, but it may also occur because it can be
difficult to step outside one’s own discipline or area of expertise. We may sometimes forget that there are
varying theories about the etiology of sexual violence, varying disciplines
involved in addressing sexual abuse, and varying perspectives about how to
effectively target the myriad of resulting issues stemming from sexual
violence. When we approach the table
with only our own perspective in mind, this may inhibit or limit our ability to
engage effectively in these multi-disciplinary discussions, as well as limit
our ability to provide educational information to our communities.
A
lack of common definitions about sexual violence is also readily apparent in
our communities, as demonstrated by the recent debates in the media and popular
culture about sexual assault on college campuses, whether or not “rape culture”
exists (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/07/rape-culture-exists-david-hookstead_n_4235955.html), the development of strategies like
“anti-rape underwear” (What Are We to Make
of This "Anti-Rape" Underwear?), and similar topics. A stark light has also been focused on the
struggles experienced internationally with respect to sexual violence
prevention and the oppression of women, with frequent contradictory views
regarding the definitions within these cultures (girl whose rape
changed a country; Child Sex Abuse
Steps Out Of The Shadows In Pakistan; 'Statutory rape
isn't romantic,' says rape crisis centers head; South Africa's rape
problem: why the crime remains under-reported).
There
are many factors involved in the development and prevention of sexual violence that
are reflected by the numerous disciplines who address this public health issue.
I do not propose that we will solve all of these issues by reaching unilateral
definitions about the different types of sexual abuse. I am proposing, however, that it is
imperative for us to remember that our own perspectives and disciplines are
exactly that…our own…and when we sometimes forget that, we potentially obstruct
or impede the beneficial work that can be accomplished through the respectful
multi-disciplinary collaboration and community engagement that would otherwise
occur. Although we may work with
different populations, have different ideas or philosophies about the etiology
of sexual violence, or provide different types of services from direct
treatment to policy development, when we approach these discussions and
collaborations with an open mind and acknowledgement of our differences, we
only become stronger and more effective in aspiring to our shared goal of No
More Victims.
Katie Gotch, M.A.
Coordinator of Public Affairs
Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
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