In today's society, isn't a rarity. Every year, large numbers of women are becoming victims of some kind of violent act. This has caused sexual violence to become a growing concern among societies. Let us ask ourselves, "When will it stop?" Women always say to themselves, "It will never happen to me." If you were to look at the number of victims there are, you might come to the realization that it could, and it might. Sexual violence will not go away if we continue to let it happen. We as women have to stand up for ourselves and stop being such weak individuals.
Sexual harassment in the workplace has become very widespread. It has become one of the most serious problems across Canada. "Recent surveys of letters to the editor indicate that most women feel that sexual harassment is the norm and not the exception." For me personally, I cannot believe that this is accepted by women. Women need to stop being so weak. We have to stand up and take action. This is not acceptable! Most women have male bosses. If they are harassed they tend not to report it, for they are scared to lose their jobs.
Sexual harassment is any unwanted sexual advances, comments or requests that make one feel uncomfortable. "Sexual contact or threat of sexual contact or coercion for the purpose of sexual contact which is not freely entered into a mutually agreeable to both parties." It is difficult to know what ones perception of sexual harassment is. An arm around the shoulder to one person may not make them uncomfortable but to another it could be harassment. For me a pat or a pinch on a woman's bottom is sexual harassment. I feel we need to make sure to let that person know that this is not acceptable. No doesn't mean "NO" anymore. You have to show your harasser by your body language as well. It could possibly be stronger. "Every person who is an employee has a right to freedom from harassment in the workplace because of sex by his or her employer or agent of the employer or by another employee.
Sexual harassment can be verbal, visual, psychological and possibly physical, that may go as far as rape. It is not at any one level or class. Men that are accused often deny the charges are never willing to deal with what they have done. Because of this, most women will often find it hard to go against them. You must tell the harasser 'NO," and explain in a very serious way that their behavior is not acceptable. Keep a journal, and record any event and time they occurred. You may even have a witness. Ask around to see if the person is harassing anyone else. Then, go further to report it to your employer or even further to the Human Rights Commission. It is important for women to be strong and you must act immediately! You don't want to wait, for you cannot let a harasser get away with something like this. Why put yourself in a possibly dangerous situation. Act right away!
Other forms of include incestuous relations. Incest is a topic society does not wish to discuss, even though it occurs everyday. It is difficult for many women to deal with the fact that they have been raped, sexually abused, or harassed by their own relatives and loved ones. It will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
It is uncomfortable to discuss fathers having sex with their daughters, uncles with their nieces, or grandfathers with their grandchildren. Not every case has a male aggressor and a female victim. The roles can be reversed, like mothers having sex with their sons. Sexual relations can also occur between siblings. "Incest is any sexual activity between family members or close relations such as adoption or step-relations."
"The exact number of families affected by incest is unknown. Some professionals believe many cases are unreported because society is so uncomfortable with the idea of parents performing sexual acts on their own children." If incidents are reported, it is usually the abusers that deny it is occurring. They tend to direct the blame on the victims.
The most generally reported type of incest is between a father and his daughter. The father is the aggressor and the daughter is the victim. The relationship is based on trust and as sexual activity is introduced in to the bond, it breaks down this trust in a slow process.
Innocent affection by the father such as a hug or a kiss slowly develops into sex in many ways. The father may encourage sexual curiosity or show pornography. The father then begins begins to manipulate the daughter's mind by telling her the relationship is not wrong, but should be kept a secret because others will not understand. Fear of the family breaking up is pressed towards the daughter to make sure she does not tell.
Another side to the situation is that the daughter has the courage to tell. In many cases, she is not listened to by anyone other than the abuser. The mother is the first person she will go to. Usually, the mother denies any knowledge and will also shift the blame on the daughter in order for herself to deal with such an accusation. The general incestuous relationship is not about sexual satisfaction, but also about control and power.
"Sexual relations have many forms and bonds, but the most traumatic type of sexual abuse is considered to be incest between a child and a parent."
Incest isn't the only form of sexual violence that involves close relationships. Date rape is a very common form of sexual violence that occurs with someone who is also important to you, your date. Date rape is when you have been forced to have sex by a date. Chilling statistics show that 1 in 4 women surveyed were victims of rape or attempted rape. 84% of women knew their attackers; 57% had been raped by a date; 30% had been raped by a friend; and 11% had been raped by a boyfriend. 41% of raped women said they expected to be raped again. Out of the 2,971 ...