The Public Health Burden of Sexual Violence
Its Effects, Management and Prevention
Keywords:
Gender based violence, sexual violence, sexual assault, public health.Abstract
Background
Sexual violence is a violation of basic human rights and is a form of Gender Based Violence (GBV) occurring frequently with important public health problems of growing concern all over the world. It involves all levels of the society. In recent times the social media has been engulfed with a lot of stories of sexual violence in the world and Nigeria with some resulting in death. This has increased its public awareness. The public health focus is on tackling violence against women and girls because they are overwhelmingly affected.
Methodology
A literature review of 30 relevant published articles and policy documents on The Public Health Burden of Sexual Violence: Its Effects, Management and Prevention from 1986 to 2016 using both manual and electronic search of relevant databases.
Results
Sexual assault includes a spectrum of activities ranging from rape to physically less intrusive sexual contacts, whether attempted or completed and most victims of sexual assault will not face up to the hazards of reporting because of stigmatization. Sexual violence can have psychological, emotional and physical effects amongst others on a survivor.
Conclusion
Awareness and prevention are very important and health workers should screen routinely for battery, provide education about violence, assess the danger, preview safety plans and refer patients appropriately.
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References
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