In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

Sexual assault on campus

(mywebtimes.com) The state of Illinois has made it mandatory for colleges and universities to teach students about sexual assault. The hope is to reduce the number of assaults by educating student and staff. One in five college women will be sexually assaulted or the victim of an attempt, reports the U.S. Department of Justice.

1.

Statistics on sexual assault reporting

Education Wife Assault
Education Wife Assault was developed with the Ontario government to inform people about the different forms of abuse. The site contains information about physical, emotional and sexual abuse of women. This page in particular looks at the statistics that are linked to sexual assault. All of the statistics are referenced to either government departments or researchers in the field. The statistics relate to reporting factors, such as disability, credibility and familiarity with the assailant. According to Statistics Canada only six per cent of sexual assaults are reported.

2.

Gender-based analysis of sexual assault

The Source
Health Canada provided funding for the site, whose goal is to provide information to people involved with different aspects of women's health, from researchers to policy-makers. While there are a lot of topics pertaining to women, this site provides a gender-based analysis of issues surrounding sexual assault. The Source uses the United Nations definition of sexual assault and provides a gender-based analysis of the different issues that centre on sexual assault. Gender, sex and diversity issues are explored and all the data used to compile their analysis is accessible from the site. There is information about physical violence against women, as well for those interested.

3.

Help for victims of sexual abuse

Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres
The British Columbia based pan-Canadian association works to change the legal and social attitudes surrounding sexual assault. The feminist organization is out to act as an agent of social change and provides a list of rape crisis centres and transition houses, as well as women’s shelters across Canada. The association is affiliated with other national organizations that are concerned with women’s issues. There are also government affiliations to the department of justice, health and Statistics Canada.

4.

The effects of sexual assault

Rape Abuse & Incest National Network
The Washington, D.C.-based Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is an organization that has set up a national hotline, crisis centres and is trying a new online hotline. The organization provides a wealth of information on their its site. Information about the effects of sexual assault and the different forms in which it manifests is available on the site. From post-traumatic stress disorder to borderline personality disorders to suicide, the organization is out to help the victims of abuse. The information provided, outlines the signs of the trauma and in some cases what a victim should do.

5.

The "ripple effect"

Australian Government
This paper, authored by the Dr. Zoe Morrison, Dr. Antonia Quadara and Cameron Boyd for the Australian government, examines the “ripple effect” of sexual assault. The ripple effect is hard to gauge as it is not that well recognized and the effects could be limitless. First it starts from the perspective of the victim and the possibility of “secondary victimization” from dealing with the justice system and health health-care providers. It continues to the effects on relationships with family, friends and intimate partners, what they call the “secondary victim.” The relationships with the victim are looked at in terms of helping with recovery or not.