This archival and qualitative research adds insight into the psychosocial consequences females of sexual victimization incur. Sexual abuse is a pervasive, complex societal problem experienced by 30%-46% of American females. The psychosocial consequences are numerous, often severe, and can result in death. They include: anxiety, BPD, denial, dependence, despair, eating disorders, destructive relationships, fear, guilt, hallucinations, helplessness, hopelessness, hysteria, insecurity, isolation, MPD, nightmares, numbness, passivity, pessimism, phobias, PTSD, rage, self-loathing, sexual dysfunctions, shame, shock, sleeping disorders, stigmatization, stress-related disorders, substance abuse, and suicide. The severity of psychosocial consequences to female victims varies greatly depending upon the degree, duration, and emotion surrounding the abuse, the victim's health, and the health of the victim's social network. In conclusion, strategies suggested in the literature to combat female sexual victimization are outlined.

This investigation explores the international perspectives of causality of human traffic, specifically, traffic into commercial sexual exploitation. Current Western approaches to combat trafficking centre around law and order, immigration issues, and victim protection programs. While these are important for a holistic effort to deter traffic, these foci overlook prevention endeavors, thereby acting as a band-aid on a bullet wound, addressing the symptoms, but not the foundation of trafficking. Western perspectives toward prevention concentrate on economic aspects of supply and demand while crediting the root cause to be poverty. Using social exclusion theory, this thesis demonstrates that the current paradigm of viewing human trafficking in purely economic terms is an oversimplification. This project proposes to widen the focus of prevention efforts those cultural and social structures which push and pull victims into trafficking. The research is a response to an international call for further initiatives to prevent human trafficking, the recent rise of human traffic in Guatemala, Central America and the lack of research which focuses on the social links with trafficking and mainstream society. Research conducted in Guatemala, included a thirteen-month ethnography and involved one-hundred and thirteen qualitative interviews conducted in nine Guatemalan cities strategically located along trafficking routes. The target research population included women sex workers and former traffic victims from Central America and included insights from non-governmental organizations workers. Twenty-three interviewees were Central American migrants which provided insight in the wider regional structures of traffic and commercial sexual exploitation. The interviews aimed at understanding the lived experiences of exploitation in order to determine whether social exclusion affects human traffic within commercial sexual exploitation. The findings revealed the underlying social and cultural structures which reinforce human trafficking. Empirical data collected provides real-time data on trafficking networks, commercial sexual exploitation and reveals the geo-political significance of Guatemala as a hot-spot for traffic. Analysis of interviews illustrates variations in the experience of human traffic and commercial sexual exploitation which challenges current western stereotypical ideas on traffic victims. Conceptually, macro-structures—political, economic, social, and violence—are presented as a back drop for the formation of wider networks of exploitation. The exploration of violence as a push factor challenges international forced repatriation policies. Micro-structures—gender roles, family, violence, and coping strategies—are examined in the ways they perpetuate social systems of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Theoretically, the thesis argues against the current paradigm which narrowly focuses on economics, but calls for the incorporation of social exclusion theory to understand the multi-dimensionality of human traffic and its wider links to society in order to open up new dialogue for prevention between the West and the majority world.

M. Tech. Textile design and Technology Tshwane University of Technology 2012. / The aim of this research is to investigate the perceived right to violate women, specifically when female dress choice is used as justification for violation. This research explores the high statistics of sexual violence in South Africa which form the context in which the problem is investigated. Female dress is used as a case study through which the high prevalence of gender violence in South Africa is explored. The research focuses on dress as a casual factor regarding female violation. Male perceptions of dress are explored as well as factors that influence these perceptions. The perceptive of social cognition and social psychology of dress as well as the theories of influence, attribution and modesty are used to gain insight into the process of creating perceptions and how these perceptions lead to certain types of behavior towards women dressed in a certain way. The above theories and perceptive are used to analyze three South African case studies. These case studies were gathered from media reports on three prominent incidents which occurred in South Africa in which dress was used as justification for female violation.

This thesis represents a selective consideration of the relationships between gender, space and the law in early twentieth century Vancouver, based largely on the cases of sexual violence against women heard before the B.C. Supreme Court in the years between 1915 and 1925. Within these parameters, constructions of space and gender are addressed at three levels. Part one considers how both women and men were situated within early twentieth century legal discourse in the context of trials for sexual violence. Part two suggests how gendered understandings of urban space in early urban Vancouver were produced and reinforced within, and beyond, legal discourse. Finally, part three situates these processes within a wider context of statemaking in early twentieth century British Columbia. It is argued that legal processes were one mechanism by which space in fledgling Vancouver was coded in gendered and sexualized terms, and further, that these social meanings of space were fundamentally bound up with prevailing conceptions of race and class.

My journey in writing this dissertation has been both intellectually and emotionally challenging keeping in mind firstly that I am a male scholar (an “outsider”) responding to issues related to maleness, the abuse and oppression of women. Secondly, that I have a personal “sacred story” of the effects of abuse and violence in the home where I grew up; and thirdly, that am strongly a conservative evangelical by faith. However, these three aspects interplay in contributing to my motivation of seeking for a mended world especially for professing Christian women within the evangelical context. The focus of this study is: Examining the social, religious and cultural discourses on “maleness” and its possible influence on domestic violence in South Africa: A critique of some expressions of evangelical theology. The study argues that the predominant social, religious and cultural discourses portray some expressions of evangelical theology. It maintains that our distorted perceptions of God (how we have imagined God as “male”)—hence maleness, has influenced male paradigm of domination among partners. As a result, this has possibly influenced and contributed to domestic violence (DV), abuse and oppression of women within some evangelical context in South Africa. Hence, the prevalence of abuse and oppression of women in the evangelical context, the battle for the humanity and dignity of women as human beings created in God’s image and that female and male are equal in God are motivations that made me pursue this study. Having evaluated the theology and the inherited evangelical traditions, it becomes certain that transformative praxis that counteracts abusive and oppressive ideologies against women among evangelicals is imperative. To achieve this, the study has used an already published case study on interviews conducted among Christian women in the Full Gospel Church (FGC) in Phoenix, Durban. This has been used to facilitate theological observations. In seeking to answer its research question the dissertation examines and critiques the predominant discourses portrayed as some expressions of evangelical theology in chapters four, five and six as analysed from the said case study. The study achieves this purpose by engaging a theological reflection as its methodology through applying a “feminist theology of praxis” as its theoretical framework. Hence, the study proposes alternative evangelical theological discourses and resources for transformative praxis as its focus. The findings are tentative and require future empirical research. Arguing that “Theological statements contain as much truth as they deliver practically in transforming reality” (Sölle quoted in Ackermann 1996:42), the dissertation concludes with addressing the implications of this study by proposing practical ways for transforming men, aiming at deconstructing abusive and oppressive male paradigms. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

This thesis looks at how relevant 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 and Romans 5:1-11 is for bringing about reconciliation between victims and offenders in serious crime. Their relevance is discussed in the light of a psychological model of rape trauma and recovery and the real experiences of rape victims and rape offenders. The crime of rape is used and examined paradigmatically for serious crime as a whole. I contend in this thesis that reconciliation between victims and offenders, in serious crime, can promote healing, especially if it is done through careful mediation. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

This thesis examined the media framing of the Juarez femicide. The media framing of femicide is significant because women have always been the victims of widespread violence. Violence against women exists in all societies and is not restricted to economic class, race, ethnic, and ideology. Despite the prevalence of gender-violence, this issue is taboo in most cultures and difficult to discuss. The study is also significant because it provides insight into the cultural codes in communities where violence against women is prevalent, offers what may be the first comparative academic analysis of U.S. and Mexican media frames, and adds to our understanding of a cross-cultural femicide. This study examined the types of media framing utilized by both the U.S and Mexican media, the implications of the frames, and the differences in framing strategies between the U.S. and Mexican media. The method used to conduct this media framing analysis of the Juarez femicides employed Burke’s (1989) dramatism theory and Noelle-Neumann’s (1971) spiral of silence theory. This method entailed applying the cycle of redemption and silencing theory to newspaper articles from the El Paso Times published in El Paso, Texas, and El Diario published in Ciudad-Juarez, Mexico to determine if the artifact illustrated components of the redemptive process and silencing. This study found eight total themes from both El Paso Times and El Diario that illustrated the components of the redemption, victimage, and silencing. / Department of Communication Studies

The aim of this study was to explore the self-concept of battered South African women. The ecosystemic approach was used to ground the battering experience. This qualitative framework was exploratory and also included an in-depth analysis of the battering experiences as narrated by abused women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data obtained were analysed through the use of the hermeneutic method. The following were the themes that emerged out of the narratives: dominance, control versus loss of control, connection versus disconnection, security versus insecurity, and feelings of degradation. The study provides a holistic understanding of battering and its impact on women’s selfconcept. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar o processo de implementação da Lei Maria da Penha no Paraná a partir da percepção de pessoas diretamente envolvidas no enfrentamento à violência contra a mulher no estado. Para o alcance deste objetivo foi tomada como principal referência a implementação na cidade de Curitiba, em razão de sua situação de capital, sede dos poderes constituídos e local onde se encontram alguns movimentos sociais feministas. Como metodologia de pesquisa optou-se pela abordagem qualitativa de natureza interpretativa, por ser este um método que permite a análise das respostas e como técnica de coleta de dados. Escolheu-se também como modalidade de entrevista, a individual semiestruturada por entender-se que esta concede maior liberdade ao/a entrevistado/a para discorrer sobre o assunto, mas que fique delimitado aos objetivos da pesquisa. A investigação contou com nove pessoas, entre elas autoridades do Poder Judiciário, Ministério Público, servidores públicos e ativistas. A importância do estudo advém da relevância dos números da violência contra a mulher no Brasil, e mais especificamente, pela significativa ocorrência de atos deste tipo no estado do Paraná, que atualmente ocupa o 3o lugar no ranking entre os estados brasileiros mais violentos. O trabalho discute ainda relações de gênero por entender que a violência contra a mulher é o resultado de uma relação assimétrica de poder entre homens e mulheres; sobre direitos humanos, visto ser a violência um flagrante desrespeito aos direitos humanos das mulheres, sobre políticas públicas e tecnologias de enfrentamento a esta forma de violência. Dentre as políticas se destaca a Lei Maria da Penha como um dos exemplos mais contundentes de política pública de enfrentamento à violência contra a mulher. Verificou-se na pesquisa qual foi a participação do Paraná na discussão e implementação da Lei Maria da Penha, identificando fatos e pessoas relevantes e ainda qual foi a repercussão obtida pela lei. Quanto à implementação no Paraná foi possível apurar-se avanços, dificuldades e desafios do processo. Os maiores avanços até então obtidos são as instalações: do Juizado de Violência Doméstica e Familiar contra a Mulher no município de Curitiba, da Patrulha Maria da Penha e da Secretaria Municipal Extraordinária da Mulher da Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba. Quanto às dificuldades, são elas relativas, entre outras, à estrutura física, capacitação dos agentes, vontade política, e ainda questões culturais, estas diretamente ligadas a questões de gênero. Desta forma constatou-se que a lei está implementada no estado, mas que ainda existem vários desafios a alcançar, os quais compreendem, principalmente, o incremento de estrutura para o enfrentamento à violência; a sensibilização e mudança de mentalidade dos gestores públicos; a capacitação dos agentes de atendimento e a maior participação social no enfrentamento à violência. Verificou-se, ainda como desafio, a necessidade de modificação nas relações de gênero, o que é um processo educativo e evolutivo social e por isso demorado. / This study aims to analyze the process of implementation of Maria da Penha Law in Paraná from the perception of persons directly involved in combating violence against women in that state. To achieve this goal, the implementation in Curitiba was taken as the main reference, due to its status as capital, being the headquarter of the political powers and the place where are some feminist social movements. We have chosen qualitative approach of interpretative nature as research methodology, because it is a method that allows the analysis of the responses and as a data collection technique. We also have chosen the individual semi-structured interview as interview mode, because it gives greater freedom to the interviewee to discuss the matter, but it is delimited to the study objectives. The research included nine persons, including members of the Judiciary and Public Ministry, public servants and activists. The importance of the study stems from the relevance of the numbers of violence against women in Brazil, and more specifically by the significant occurrence of this kind of acts in the state of Paraná, which currently occupies the 3rd place in the ranking for the most violent states. The paper also discusses gender relations by understanding that violence against women is the result of an asymmetrical power relationship between men and women; human rights because violence is a blatant disregard of women's human rights; on public policies and technologies to confront this form of violence. Among the policies, the Maria da Penha Law is highlighted as one of the most striking examples of public policy for combating violence against women. The research found out which was the participation of Paraná in the discussion and implementation of Maria da Penha Law, identifying relevant facts and people and also what was the repercussion obtained by this law. As for the implementation in Paraná, it was possible to determine progresses, difficulties and challenges of the process. The greatest advances obtained so far are the facilities of: Court of Domestic and Family Violence against Women in Curitiba, Maria da Penha Patrol and Women's Special City Office of Curitiba. As for the difficulties, they are related, among others things, to the physical structure, training of agents, political will, and even cultural issues, which are directly linked to gender issues. Thus it was found that the law is implemented in the state, but there are still several challenges to be achieved, which consist, mainly, of the structure increment for combating violence; awareness and change of mentality of public officials; training of service agents and a greater social participation in combating violence. We concluded that the need for change in gender relations, which is an educational and social evolutionary process and therefore time consuming, is also a challenge.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar o processo de implementação da Lei Maria da Penha no Paraná a partir da percepção de pessoas diretamente envolvidas no enfrentamento à violência contra a mulher no estado. Para o alcance deste objetivo foi tomada como principal referência a implementação na cidade de Curitiba, em razão de sua situação de capital, sede dos poderes constituídos e local onde se encontram alguns movimentos sociais feministas. Como metodologia de pesquisa optou-se pela abordagem qualitativa de natureza interpretativa, por ser este um método que permite a análise das respostas e como técnica de coleta de dados. Escolheu-se também como modalidade de entrevista, a individual semiestruturada por entender-se que esta concede maior liberdade ao/a entrevistado/a para discorrer sobre o assunto, mas que fique delimitado aos objetivos da pesquisa. A investigação contou com nove pessoas, entre elas autoridades do Poder Judiciário, Ministério Público, servidores públicos e ativistas. A importância do estudo advém da relevância dos números da violência contra a mulher no Brasil, e mais especificamente, pela significativa ocorrência de atos deste tipo no estado do Paraná, que atualmente ocupa o 3o lugar no ranking entre os estados brasileiros mais violentos. O trabalho discute ainda relações de gênero por entender que a violência contra a mulher é o resultado de uma relação assimétrica de poder entre homens e mulheres; sobre direitos humanos, visto ser a violência um flagrante desrespeito aos direitos humanos das mulheres, sobre políticas públicas e tecnologias de enfrentamento a esta forma de violência. Dentre as políticas se destaca a Lei Maria da Penha como um dos exemplos mais contundentes de política pública de enfrentamento à violência contra a mulher. Verificou-se na pesquisa qual foi a participação do Paraná na discussão e implementação da Lei Maria da Penha, identificando fatos e pessoas relevantes e ainda qual foi a repercussão obtida pela lei. Quanto à implementação no Paraná foi possível apurar-se avanços, dificuldades e desafios do processo. Os maiores avanços até então obtidos são as instalações: do Juizado de Violência Doméstica e Familiar contra a Mulher no município de Curitiba, da Patrulha Maria da Penha e da Secretaria Municipal Extraordinária da Mulher da Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba. Quanto às dificuldades, são elas relativas, entre outras, à estrutura física, capacitação dos agentes, vontade política, e ainda questões culturais, estas diretamente ligadas a questões de gênero. Desta forma constatou-se que a lei está implementada no estado, mas que ainda existem vários desafios a alcançar, os quais compreendem, principalmente, o incremento de estrutura para o enfrentamento à violência; a sensibilização e mudança de mentalidade dos gestores públicos; a capacitação dos agentes de atendimento e a maior participação social no enfrentamento à violência. Verificou-se, ainda como desafio, a necessidade de modificação nas relações de gênero, o que é um processo educativo e evolutivo social e por isso demorado. / This study aims to analyze the process of implementation of Maria da Penha Law in Paraná from the perception of persons directly involved in combating violence against women in that state. To achieve this goal, the implementation in Curitiba was taken as the main reference, due to its status as capital, being the headquarter of the political powers and the place where are some feminist social movements. We have chosen qualitative approach of interpretative nature as research methodology, because it is a method that allows the analysis of the responses and as a data collection technique. We also have chosen the individual semi-structured interview as interview mode, because it gives greater freedom to the interviewee to discuss the matter, but it is delimited to the study objectives. The research included nine persons, including members of the Judiciary and Public Ministry, public servants and activists. The importance of the study stems from the relevance of the numbers of violence against women in Brazil, and more specifically by the significant occurrence of this kind of acts in the state of Paraná, which currently occupies the 3rd place in the ranking for the most violent states. The paper also discusses gender relations by understanding that violence against women is the result of an asymmetrical power relationship between men and women; human rights because violence is a blatant disregard of women's human rights; on public policies and technologies to confront this form of violence. Among the policies, the Maria da Penha Law is highlighted as one of the most striking examples of public policy for combating violence against women. The research found out which was the participation of Paraná in the discussion and implementation of Maria da Penha Law, identifying relevant facts and people and also what was the repercussion obtained by this law. As for the implementation in Paraná, it was possible to determine progresses, difficulties and challenges of the process. The greatest advances obtained so far are the facilities of: Court of Domestic and Family Violence against Women in Curitiba, Maria da Penha Patrol and Women's Special City Office of Curitiba. As for the difficulties, they are related, among others things, to the physical structure, training of agents, political will, and even cultural issues, which are directly linked to gender issues. Thus it was found that the law is implemented in the state, but there are still several challenges to be achieved, which consist, mainly, of the structure increment for combating violence; awareness and change of mentality of public officials; training of service agents and a greater social participation in combating violence. We concluded that the need for change in gender relations, which is an educational and social evolutionary process and therefore time consuming, is also a challenge.