Dynamics of Sexual

Assault
1

SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE LIAISON

(SARL) TRAINING
SUMMER 2013

Session Learning Objectives

2

Distinguish between myths versus facts regarding sexual

assault in both U.S. and host country contexts;

Explain how being a victim of sexual assault while serving

as a Peace Corps volunteer is unique to other sexual

assaults;

Identify the reasons why volunteers may be reluctant to

report sexual assault to Peace Corps;

Identify the various reactions to and impacts of trauma

upon victims of sexual assault.

Session materials are in TAB 3 of your binders.

Victim or Survivor?
3

Individuals determine when the shift from

victim to survivor occurs.

Some may feel they are a survivor from the
moment they escape an offender.
A victim may feel they have become a
survivor when they have made progress
recovering from the incident.
Validation is important for victims and
survivors.

Major Needs of Victims

4

The major needs of victims of sexual assault can be

categorized as follows:

To feel safe;
To express their emotions;
To know their privacy and confidentiality is being
respected; and
To know what they can expect to happen next.

What is Sexual Assault?

5

Even though the laws can vary between countries,

Peace Corps recognizes that sexual assault takes many

forms including attacks such as rape or attempted
rape, as well as any unwanted sexual contact or
threats.

Types of sexual assault:

- Stranger
- Non- stranger

Characteristics and Tactics

6

Characteristics of Assaults:
Offenders often plan
sexual assaults.

Tactics Used by Offenders:

Force and violence
Threats and intimidation

Offenders often watch for

vulnerabilities and
opportunities.

Offenders often test the

boundaries of potential
victims.

Persuasion and

confidence

Pressure and guilt

Drugs, including alcohol

Common Characteristics of Sexual Assault

7

Some similarities of sexual assault in Peace Corps and

worldwide include:

The majority of assailants know the victim;

Nearly all assaults occur when the victim is

isolated; and

Most occur at night.

Sexual Assault in Peace Corps

8

Over the past 10 years, worldwide an average of 37

Volunteers have reported being victims of rape each year.
On average, another 71 Volunteers annually reported
unwanted sexual contact.
2010
Rape/Attempted Rape 23
Major Sexual Assaults 21
Other Sexual Assaults 84

2012
Rape/Attempted Rape 23
Major Sexual Assaults 8
Other Sexual Assaults - 85

2011

2013 (YTD)

Rape/Attempted Rape 39
Major Sexual Assaults 17
Other Sexual Assaults 94

Rape/Attempted Rape - 13
Major Sexual Assaults - 5
Other Sexual Assaults - 49

Characteristics of Rape in Peace Corps

9

180 reports of rape 2002-2010

66% victim knew the offender
52% alcohol use by victim
13% loss of consciousness
Isolated and alone

Discuss with a Partner:

10

How is being a victim of sexual assault

as a Peace Corps Volunteer unique to

other victims of sexual assault?

Reasons PCVs do not Report

11

Doesnt want others to know

Feels it was their fault

PCV does not want to change

Not sure what to report

sites
Fear of being blamed
Embarrassment
PCV was violating policy

when incident happened

Procedure too difficult

Afraid
Had previous bad experience

with PC
PC cant do anything about it

ACTIVITY: Myths vs. Facts

12

Take 23 minutes to write

a myth/ stereotype/belief
about sexual assault that
is common in your
country on one post-it
and a fact about sexual
assault on another.

Stick the post-its on your

groups flipchart on either

the Myth or the Fact
side.

1. Were you surprised by

any of the statements

on the notes?
2. Was any of the

information new to
you?
3. Did you think any of the

notes were misplaced?

Which ones and why?

Impact of Sexual Assault

13

Physical
Sexually
Transmitted
Infections (STIs)
Physical Injury
Pregnancy

Psychological/
Emotional
Self-Medicating
Sleep Disorders
Eating Disorder
Cutting
Physical Triggers

Depression
Anger
Fear
Anxiety
Guilt
Shock
Shame
Embarrassment
Hyper-vigilance

Impact of Sexual Assault

14

Please take a moment to work on the impact

worksheet in Tab 2 of your binders.

Session Learning Objectives

15

Distinguish between myths versus facts regarding sexual

assault in both U.S. and host country contexts;

Explain how being a victim of sexual assault while serving

as a Peace Corps volunteer is unique to other sexual

assaults;

Identify the reasons why volunteers may be reluctant to

report sexual assault to Peace Corps;

Identify the various reactions to and impacts of trauma

upon victims of sexual assault.

Acknowledgements
16

Peace Corps gratefully acknowledges the Office for

Victims of Crime (OVC), Office of Justice Programs, U.S.

Department of Justice, for allowing us to partially
reproduce the National Victim Assistance Academy
(NVAA) Foundation-Level Training Curriculum for this
weeks training.

The full curriculum is available online at:

www.ovcttac.gov/views/TrainingMaterials/NVAA/dsp
NVAACurriculum.cfm .