The assaults Sules suffered from her spouse, including the non-consensual sex and beatings, are not regarded as crimes in Uganda. Due to the well-known male chauvinist culture in Uganda, women are subjected to a variety of mistreatments from both their partners and other men. According to Birdhistle et al. (2013), in the study conducted by the Ugandan Demographic and Health study in 2006, the prevalence of non-consensual sex increased to 41% and 49% among women of the ages between 20 and 24 years and 30 and 39 years, respectively. Assault on a woman by men is like one passage of marriage
that a woman has to go through in life. Birdhistle et al. also noted that the occurrence of non-consensual sex is more common among married persons compared to the unmarried (Birdhistle et al., 2013). Similarly, Zablotska et al. found out that men are fond of assaulting women in Uganda. According to them, approximately 34% and 20% of married women experienced physical and sexual coercion respectively (Zablotska et al., 2009). In traditional societies such as Uganda, men believe that they are superior to women and they control different facets of power, counting sexual decision-making (Zablotska et al., 2009). In fact, forced sex, as well as beating, is an expected portrayal of masculinity as women are required to meet the needs of their husbands. It is as a result of these believes that men exploit women to quench their sexual desires. Based on Zablotska et al. and Birtwistle et al.’s findings, one can argue that women assault is common in Uganda. The mistreatments Sules experienced, including persistent rapes, beatings, and exposure to unprotected sex are some of the characteristics of the Ugandan culture. Thus, crime is not committed when Sules experiences assaults from her husband.
In Uganda, what problems do experts encounter trying to ascertain if the sex was not consensual? Explain your answer, providing two (2) supporting facts.
Sex is considered not consensual when individual practices it unwillingly. Some of the factors contributing to such sex include coercion and circumstances. However, some of the sexes referred to as not consensual are difficult to validate. Social desirability and sexual risk behaviors like early sexual debut as well as consumption of certain substances influence the classification of sex as non-consensual by many women. These factors pose a significant challenge to experts who try to validate non-consensual sex. In their study, Zablotska et al. (2009, p.229) found out that “alcohol consumption before sex is common in Uganda.” Consumption of alcohol is one of the risk behaviors that expose many people including women to unwanted sex. According to Zablotska et al., a good number, approximately 20%, of the women who succumbed to sexual coercion in Uganda blamed alcohol use. Unfortunately, it is impossible for experts to determine whether the women under study consumed alcohol willingly to have sex with their partners.
Birdhistle et al. (2013) also note that some women classify their sexual experience not consensual to save their public image. For instance, they argue that some women use coercive sex to explain pregnancies or hide their faces from unacceptable behaviors. Based on this assertion, experts find it hard to ascertain whether an unwanted pregnancy by a woman was as a result of a disapproved sexual behavior or coerced sex. Equally, Birdhistle et al. argue that some people link their positive HIV status to non-consensual sex to avoid blame from other members of the society (Birdhistle et al., 2013). However, individuals contract HIV even from unprotected consensual sex. Based on this fact, it is hard for experts to ascertain non-consensual sex as the reason behind an individual’s positive HIV status.
Based on the information in your textbook, identify three (3) questions you would want to be answered by this teenager.
In his book, Gosselin notes that a great percentage of children experience different types of abuse from family members. Some of the common abuses include burn injuries and sexual assault. These injuries are associated with the occurrence of depression and unusual aggressiveness in victims (Gosselin, 2013). Susan presents some of these symptoms. Apart from showing behavioral problems, Susan occasionally fought with other girls at school. According to Gosselin, burn injuries are most common in children aged below four years. Based on this information, I would like Susan to help me understand her situation by providing answers to these questions:
At what age did she receive burn injuries?
Did her brother sexually abuse her?
Did she inform her parents or any other person she considered close to her about the abuses she experienced?
What are current concerns you might have? Provide two (2) examples.
The accommodation syndrome for abuses by children includes secrecy and entrapment (Gosselin). Children who are victims of sexual assault become secretive in life. I am concerned with the secretive lifestyle of Susan. She did not inform her parents about the abuses she incurred from her brother. In fact, her abuse experiences were disclosed in therapy. Such lifestyle can facilitate the occurrence of many negative things such as the development of trauma and social exclusiveness. In addition to this, Susan might be suffering from serious issues that need to be disclosed to prevent other problems such as sleep problems, nightmares, and suicidal behavior. Equally, the information provided by Susan shows that she is entrapped in an abusive experience. Susan’s aggressiveness at school is a product of the abuses she suffered at a tender age. I am concerned with the fact that Susan is likely to continue getting into conflict with other people in the society because of her entrapment to an abusive experience. Her interpersonal skills can deteriorate further since negative experiences influence her current behavior. In support of this argument, it is apparent that Susan does not interact well with both her parents and other students at the school.
Describe one (1) appropriate intervention that might be of benefit.
Skills training are essential to abuse victims because it teaches them coping strategies to help not only deal with negative emotions, but also improve interpersonal functioning. Susan suffers from negative emotions that developed due to an abusive experience. She also fights with other students at school because her interpersonal functioning deteriorated when a family member abused her. These problems can be managed through skills training. Susan can be taught on how to handle negative emotions in addition to ways of dealing with her personality disorder to promote positive interpersonal relationships. Social skills training allow individuals to behave and function effectively in diverse social situation, including school. With these skills, Susan can be able to articulate feelings as well as respond positively to the feelings of other students. Social skills are very much connected to communication skills. Thus, acquisition of excellent social skills will enable Susan to communicate with her parents besides allowing her control impulses. Skills training involve individuals learning by doing things repeatedly. The repetitions of social interactions will solidify necessary social skills in Susan.
References
Birdhistle, I. et al. (2013). Non-consensual Sex and Association with Incident HIV Infection Among Women: A Cohort Study in Rural Uganda, 1990–2008. AIDS Behav, 17(7): 2430-2438.
Gosselin, K. D. (2013). Heavy Hands: An Introduction to the Crimes of Intimate and Family Violence. New York: Pearson.
Zablotska, I. et al. (2009). Alcohol Use, Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Coercion and HIV among Women Aged 15–24 in Rakai, Uganda. AIDS Behav, 13:225-233.
