Explain factors that may put someone at risk for sexual victimization. Why is it helpful to identify these factors and what is the danger in emphasizing these factors?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Risk for sexual victimization is often but not inevitably discussed in the context of date or acquaintance rape.
• A major risk is excess alcohol or illegal drug use, which may incapacitate a victim.
• At parties individuals are advised to remain in the company of friends.
• Avoid walking alone in high-crime areas, particularly during the night.
• It is risky to accept rides from strangers or hitchhike by oneself.
• Some research indicates that having been victimized in the past makes one vulnerable to future victimization, although the reasons for this are unknown.
• It is helpful to identify risk factors because preventive measures are important, not only for oneself but also to communicate to others.
• The danger in discussing risk factors is that this may lead to blaming a survivor of sexual assault for her or his own victimization, in the belief that she or he "should have known better."
• Focusing on risk factors also ignores the reality that numerous sexual assaults occur without the presence of alcohol/drugs. They also occur in broad daylight, in homes, and under situations where preventive measures on the part of the victim would have been irrelevant.