Sexual violence mainly affects women and leaves deep consequences, both physical and emotional. According to UNICEF, more than 370 million girls and women – one in eight – have been victims of rape or sexual abuse before the age of 18. This figure reflects a global problem that becomes more visible with complaints involving public figures, underscoring the urgent need for a comprehensive response and collective commitment.
Sexual violence encompasses various forms of abuse, which go beyond rape and include harassment, coercion, and physical and emotional abuse. All are marked by the lack of consent and the exercise of power over the victim. The aggressor may resort to physical force, psychological manipulation or even the use of substances that nullify the victim’s ability to respond, as occurs in drug-facilitated attacks. Teresa Echevarría, nurse at Hospital Clínic Barcelona, explains that “sexual violence is any activity that forces another person to have a relationship or perform an act without their conscious consent.”
Sexual violence is any activity that forces another person to have a relationship or perform an act without their conscious consent.
In the clinical setting, the effects of sexual violence on victims are complex and affect both physical and emotional well-being. Lluïsa Garcia, psychiatrist at the Hospital Clínic Barcelona, explains that victims often suffer from anxiety, depression, feelings of guilt and difficulties in resuming their daily activities. On a physical level, they may experience muscle pain, headaches, digestive discomfort and even genital injuries, as well as the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. Echevarría, for his part, highlights that, after the attack, many people experience mental confusion, confusion and, sometimes, try to justify what happened or feel guilt, a common process in the assimilation of trauma.
Offering comprehensive and multidisciplinary care is essential to address the effects of sexual violence. Clinical teams must include psychiatrists, nurses, gynecologists, psychologists and social workers, who must collaborate to treat trauma in all its dimensions and avoid revictimization. For Echevarría, “it is essential that, after a situation of sexual violence, the affected person can share their experience with someone they trust and go to a health center to receive appropriate treatment.” Additionally, assessing potential infections, overall health, and emotional impact is key to making decisions about legal action.
It is essential that, after a situation of sexual violence, the affected person can share their experience with someone they trust and go to a health center to receive appropriate treatment.
Reporting is a right and a crucial tool for justice to act, although the process is usually complex and difficult for victims. A strong support system is essential for them to feel supported and protected. Garcia emphasizes the importance of offering practical support, ranging from managing the complaint to assistance in going to health centers and coordinating legal help. This logistical and emotional support is vital for the victim’s recovery.
Recovery is a gradual process that requires support and a safe and supportive environment. It does not depend only on clinical care, but also on the active support of society, which must support victims and validate their experience. Empathy and solidarity are essential so that they can rebuild their well-being without fear or guilt. However, commitment must go beyond emotional help and include dismantling the structures and attitudes that perpetuate sexual violence. This begins with education in equality and respect from childhood, and must be reinforced in the work, family and community spheres.
Indicators of possible drug-facilitated sexual assault
Source: Hospital Clínic Barcelona
1. Unexpected poisoning: Feeling of being more intoxicated than expected based on the amount consumed.
2. Drinks from strangers: Greater risk if accepting a drink from an unknown person.
3. Sudden discomfort: Dizziness, nausea or severe vomiting without apparent cause.
4. Drowsiness and lack of coordination: Sudden drowsiness and difficulty moving or thinking clearly.
5. Confusion and memory gaps: Waking up with an intense hangover and confusion about what happened.
6. Waking up next to a stranger: Being accompanied by someone unknown without remembering how it happened.
7. Unexplained physical signs: Waking up with less clothing, bodily fluids, or unexplained injuries.
8. Witness comments: Friends or acquaintances observe unusual or compromised behavior.
9. Toxins in clinical analysis: Detection of toxic substances in the body, although not always visible in the analysis.
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