29 June 2007
Sexual assault is a family matter
Caring about sexual assault: the effects of sexual assault on families, and the effects of family responses to sexual assault on victim/survivors, by Dr Zoë Morrison in Family Matters, no.76, 2007.
Sexual assault does not always happen in dark alleys, perpetrated by strangers, with few victims. It happens to one in five Australian women, and in 80% of cases the woman knows her attacker. Importantly, sexual assault also has consequences for the families of victim/survivors and, in turn, the way they respond to the assault has implications for victim/survivors.
Dr Zoë Morrison examines available contemporary research and suggests ways that families and society can do a better job of caring for victim/survivors of sexual assault and, at the same time, look after themselves more effectively. Dr Morrison argues that sexual assault is a family and social issue, and it impacts significantly on families as well as impacting in a traumatic way on the victim/survivor.
Dr Morrison says, 'Sexual assaults do not happen in a vacuum. They have profound reciprocal short and long term effects on the individual victim/survivor, their family, and their community, and they also have significant costs for society as a whole'.
'It is important, both for the victim/survivor's recovery and for the family's well being, that we understand more about the way sexual assault affects both victim/survivors and their families. This study helps us to understand this and also to understand that the way families respond to the victim/survivor impacts on their recovery - either helpfully or unhelpfully', she said.
Dr Morrison presents a range of strategies to assist victim/survivors and their families.
For family members to help care for victim/survivors:
- Believe in the victim/survivor
- Respect the healing process - healing may take some time and the victim/survivor's behaviour may change
- Listen to them without judging - let the victim/survivor lead discussions
- Meet practical needs immediately post-assault - a safe and secure place, physical, medical and counselling needs
- Respect the victim/survivor and keep them informed about what is happening
- Let the victim/survivor control decision making
For family members of victim/survivors to help care for themselves:
- Blame the perpetrator not the victim/survivor, yourself, or the way your family functions
- Acknowledge the impact of the assault on your feelings and its affect on your family
- Seek care and professional support
- Seek knowledge about the impact of sexual assault
- Channel your energy into activity - for instance, getting involved in rape prevention
Further research and increased community education about the impact of sexual assault on families is important to ensure that sexual assault is seen as a family and social problem, and to encourage families to seek the support they need.
Morrison, Z. (2007). Caring about sexual assault: the effects of sexual assault on families, and the effects of family responses to sexual assault on victim/survivors. Family Matters 76: 55-63. Abstract
Contact:
Dr Zoë Morrison
Coordinator, Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault
(03) 03 9214 7812
0439 823 366