Introduction
People of all ages, genders, and backgrounds are affected by the pervasive and disturbing issue of sexual violence on a global scale. In an international setting, this problem should be evaluated as a social, political, and health issue with far-reaching consequences. This paper presents recent statistics on sexual harassment in the US and globally, highlights the efforts to combat this problem, and explores the different methods that human service practitioners can utilize to address sexual violence.
Recent Statistics on Sexual Violence in the USA and Across the Globe
Sexual violence affects millions of individuals worldwide, and the statistics are alarming. In the United States, Kewley and Barlow (2020) report that one in three women and one in six men experience sexual violence during their lifetime. Most sexual assaults are not reported to law enforcement (Kewley & Barlow, 2020).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in five women and one in seventy-one men experience rape at some point. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in three women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime (Torres & Yllö, 2020). The statistics are more disquieting each year, which can serve as a sign of moral decline in society and other problems in the system.
Efforts Made to Target Sexual Violence
Efforts to address sexual violence have been ongoing for many years. In the US, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was passed in 1994 to provide funding for services and programs for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault (Schriver, 2020). Additionally, various organizations such as the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), and Futures Without Violence provide resources and support for survivors of sexual violence (Kewley & Barlow, 2020). The WHO has launched a global plan of action to address interpersonal violence, including sexual violence (Schriver, 2020). It will get a decent result with collaborative efforts from many parties.
Methods for Human Service Practitioners to Address Sexual Violence
To combat sexual violence, human service practitioners might employ a variety of approaches. Prevention through education and awareness-raising is one technique. It can be done through seminars, public campaigns, and other forms of outreach to educate people about the incidence of sexual violence and how to prevent it (Kewley & Barlow, 2020). Additionally, human care providers might employ a variety of approaches to address sexual violence. Prevention through education and awareness-raising is an essential strategy for informing people about the occurrence of sexual violence and how to prevent it. It can be accomplished through workshops, public campaigns, and other forms of communication.
Another approach is to push for policy changes to combat sexual violence, such as increased financing for victim services and stricter penalties for sexual assault abusers (Kewley & Barlow, 2020). Human service providers can also endeavor to promote safe and supportive environments for survivors of sexual violence by adopting guidelines for responding to sexual violence disclosures and employing trauma-informed care practices.
Conclusion
Sexual assault is a severe problem that affects people all around the world. These figures emphasize the importance of continuing efforts to combat sexual violence through prevention, survivor support, and policy changes. Human service practitioners can significantly prevent sexual violence through education, counseling, and advocacy. If we all work together, we can make the world safer and more just.
References
Kewley, S., & Barlow, C. (2020). Preventing sexual violence: Problems and possibilities (First). Policy Press.
Schriver, J. (2020). Human behavior and the social environment: Shifting paradigms in essential knowledge for social work practice (7th ed.). Pearson.
Torres, M. G., & Yllö, K. (2020). Sexual violence in intimacy: Implications for research and policy in global health. Taylor & Francis.