Sexual Violence & Human Trafficking Essay 2

Complete this week’s assigned readings, chapters 86 & 87. After completing the readings, post a short reflection, approximately 1 paragraph in length, discussing your thoughts and opinions about one or several of the specific topics covered in the textbook readings. pertaining to politics in associations and interest groups. Identify which one MSN Essential most relates to your selected topic in your discussion.

As a reminder, no scholarly sources are required and students do not have to reply to a classmate’s original post.

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“If the numbers we see in domestic violence were applied to terrorism or gang violence, the entire

country would be up in arms, and it would be the lead story on the news every night.”

Rep. Mark Green, Wisconsin

Our society is steeped in violence. In the most recent national statistics, more than 26 per 1000

people aged 12 years or older will be the victims of a violent crime (Truman, Langton, & Planty,

2013). Most of our violence prevention strategies prepare potential victims to ward off violent

attacks from strangers; yet, someone known to the victim perpetrates most violence against women,

children, and older adults. The intimate nature of this violence, often perpetrated behind closed

doors, has made these forms of violence less visible. However, the toll of violence on individuals

and societies is substantial. The World Health Organization has framed violence as a significant

public health problem (Truman, Langton, & Planty, 2013). A public health approach suggests an

interdisciplinary, science-based approach with an emphasis on prevention. Effective strategies draw

on resources in many fields, including nursing, medicine, criminal justice, epidemiology, and other

social scientists.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of state, federal, and health sector policies

regarding violence against women in the United States, briefly discuss policies related to violence

against children and older adults, and outline the resulting implications for nurses and directions

for future work.

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Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Against Women Sexual Violence & Human Trafficking Essay 2

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is physical, sexual, or psychological harm inflicted by a current or

former partner (same sex or not) or a current or former spouse (Black et al., 2011). Almost one third

of American women experience being hit, slapped, or pushed by an intimate partner, and nearly a

quarter will experience serious forms of IPV during their lifetimes. Additionally, nearly one in five

women will experience a completed or attempted rape in their lifetimes. Men experience IPV and

rape as well, although at far lower rates than do women. About a quarter of men will experience

IPV (about 12% serious forms of violence) and nearly 1.5% a completed or attempted rape.

Although more than half of women reporting rape report that the assailant was an intimate partner

and 40% that the assailant was an acquaintance, men report that half of rapes were by

acquaintances and 15% by strangers; the number raped by an intimate partner was too small to

estimate.

The health effects of IPV and sexual violence are substantial and cost as much as $8.3 billion in

health care and mental health services for victims (Max et al., 2004). Violence is associated with a

wide range of health problems, including chronic pain recurring central nervous system symptoms,

vaginal and sexually transmitted infections and other gynecological symptoms, and diagnosed

gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders (Black et al., 2011). Mental health symptoms include

depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcohol and drug use (Black et al., 2011;

Campbell, 2002).

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State Laws Regarding Intimate Partner and Sexual

Violence

State laws address a number of issues important for nurses to understand. Most often, crime of IPV

and sexual violence are addressed through state laws. Most, although not all, states have laws

specifically providing enhanced penalties for assault and battery that occurs between intimate

partners. (It worth noting that most laws refer to domestic violence or family abuse rather than

IPV.) For example, at least 23 states have some form of mandatory arrest for IPV (Hirschel, 2008).

Research findings are mixed on whether mandatory arrest laws reduce reassault (Felson,

Ackerman, & Gallagher, 2005; Hirschel et al., 2007), although findings from at least one study

suggest that the overwhelming majority of victims support mandatory arrest laws (Barata &

Schneider, 2004). Additionally, states may have enhanced penalties, such as escalating third

offenses to felonies.

Until 1975, all states provided what is called the marital rape exemption under which it was

legally impossible to commit rape against one’s wife. Beginning in the mid-1970s, based in part on

nursing research, these laws began to change (Campbell & Alford, 1989). Although all states now

recognize marital rape as a crime, in some states it is still treated differently from rape by a

nonspouse (Prachar, 2010).

Nonlethal strangulation of women is a significant but often overlooked threat to public safety.

Most (80%) strangulations of women are committed by intimate partners (Shields et al., 2010). They

can result in significant physical health problems for victims (Taliaferro et al., 2009) and

substantially increase risk of later lethal violence (Glass et al., 2008). These cases can be difficult to

charge and prosecute commensurate with the severity of the crime (Laughon, Glass, & Worrell,

2009); therefore, a growing number of states have strengthened laws related to strangulation.

All states provide for civil protective orders in cases where victims have a reasonable fear of

violence from an assailant (Carroll, 2007). States vary widely, however, in who is eligible to obtain

an order and how the orders are obtained. For example, in some states minors or dating partners

may not be able to obtain orders of protection. Most states provide for civil protection orders

against assailants who are accused of sexual assault, but the procedures may be different from those

for protective orders against intimate partners. Studies of the effectiveness of these orders are mixed

(Logan & Walker, 2009; Prachar, 2010). Sexual Violence & Human Trafficking Essay 2

In addition to these criminal justice remedies, state laws may address other issues related to IPV

and sexual violence. As of 2010, 26 states had established intimate partner fatality review teams

(Durborow et al., 2010). Fatality review teams use a multidisciplinary, public health approach to

reviewing fatalities and identifying risk factors (Websdale, 1999). A handful of states require health

care providers to report domestic violence against competent adults. It is important to understand

that in most states, IPV and sexual assault are not mandatory reports unless there are other factors

present.

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Federal Laws Related to Intimate Partner and Sexual

Violence

There are two significant federal laws that address violence against women. The Family Violence

Prevention and Services Act was first authorized in 1984. It was most recently authorized through

2015 (Public Law [PL] 111-320 42 U.S.C. 10401, et seq.). It is the primary federal funding source for

domestic violence shelters and service programs in the United States. It also funds the work of state

coalitions on domestic violence, community-based violence prevention efforts, and a number of

smaller training and assistance programs.

The Violence against Women Act (VAWA) was first authorized in 1994 (Title IV, sec. 40001-40703 Sexual Violence & Human Trafficking Essay 2