Sociology Report on the Prevalence of Sexual Assault Against Women

This report provides a sociological analysis of sexual assault, focusing on the disproportionate victimization of women. It begins by defining sexual assault and its various forms, emphasizing the traumatic impact it has on victims. The report highlights the societal perception of women as potential targets and explores the underreporting of cases. It examines the role of societal norms, patriarchal structures, and myths in perpetuating sexual violence. The report also discusses the consequences women face, including workplace harassment and domestic violence, and emphasizes the importance of consent. The conclusion stresses the need for education, awareness, stricter laws, and support systems to address and combat sexual assault effectively, acknowledging that while men are also assaulted, women are at higher risk. The report references academic sources to support its findings and provides a comprehensive overview of the issue.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY 1
A report on "women are sexual assaulted more than men"

SOCIOLOGY 2
Introduction
According to Eisenberg, Lust, Hannan and Porta (2016), sexual assault and violence
manifests sexually aggressive acts by the use of mental or physical force which imposes sexual
conduct against their will irrespective of their genders. This is an act that fundamentally seeks to
break the mental and physical state of a person and go against the will of the other person.
Sexual assault creates a traumatic state for any person that creates a private crisis owing to the
isolation they feel. Sexual violence can take forms of harassment, sexual exploitation,
prostitution, pornography, and rape being the most common of them (Searles, 2018). Although
sexual assault can occur irrespective of the gender of a person, several studies have shown that
women are always at a higher risk for sexual assault victimization. All over the world, in
underdeveloped or developed countries, cases of sexual assault are neglected or unreported
altogether. The predominant reason to this that women are continuously competing in
environments where male sexuality dictates their beliefs and values and due to this the plea of a
majority of women remain unheard forcing them to live in denial or silence.
Sexual assaults in women and men
Several studies have shown that there is not much difference between the rates at which
women and men are being sexually assaulted at some point in their lives. It is a common
perception of the society that men and women are emotionally different but in reality, any form
of sexual assault can be traumatizing regardless of the genders. Historically, women are
overwhelmingly the common victims of sexual assault, while men are the perpetrators who can
either be a known or unknown person. However, 82% of cases have shown that these assaults
were mostly undertaken by people known to the victim. Almost one in six have experienced
attempted sexual assault and rape in their lifetime leading a series of feelings of guilt, terror,
anger, grief, isolation, depression and powerlessness. As already indicated, women are seen as
the objects of desire of the obsessive minds of the assailants making them commit such a heinous
crime. Although the society has become liberal with regards to providing equal space and rights
for women, it also perceives women as an oppressed group to ever exist. The myths backing up
these ideas are identified as the underlying reason for building such a patriarchal society. Women
face much more consequences than men as the society imposes a number of restrictions on them
with regards to how they should act, dress and even live. Today, women are being sexually

SOCIOLOGY 3
assaulted regardless of where they work or at the position they work. Women are aware of their
rights but often do not realize they are victimized by sexual harassments. In 50% of cases,
women choosing to turn a blind eye to the sexual assaults on them at workplaces due to ethical
dilemma and fear of losing their jobs. Women also face serious issues of domestic violence
where men are again the predicators impacting the psychology of women and leaving them with
lesser choices of either dealing with the issue for a prolonged period of time or taking judicial
support. The concept of taking consent refers to asking for permission before getting intimate
with the other person. But, this is easily violated by the predicator making the other person feel
victimized with a fear of getting into complete isolation and even losing their lives. Sexual
assaults not always traumatize the victim but targets on their health also.
Conclusion
The report can be concluded by stating that despite social progress in equal rights,
opportunities and legal protection, women still assume the status of the weaker segment of the
society. Researchers and sociologists state that proper education and awareness on sexual
assaults on both men and women needs to be heightened. Although men are assaulted very less
often than women, the under reporting among men is also comparatively less due to the social
stigma associated with it. There are studies and researches conducted all over the world to find
the factors affecting the psychology of people to assault other person. But the society will require
stricter laws and programs and support from the judicial systems to help the victims to speak up
and demand justice for their selves.

SOCIOLOGY 4
References
Eisenberg, M. E., Lust, K. A., Hannan, P. J., & Porta, C. (2016). Campus sexual violence
resources and emotional health of college women who have experienced sexual
assault. Violence and victims, 31(2), 274-284.
Searles, P. (2018). Rape and society: Readings on the problem of sexual assault. Abingdon, UK:
Routledge.