Sex+position+of+the+week.


 * Name**: Caitlan Golder
 * Student Number:** n8594261
 * Tutor:** Steve Badman

Description
This image is a cartoon segment taken from an issue of Purdue University’s daily campus newspaper, ‘The Exponent’, published in 2010. The ‘Sex Position of the Week’ segment of this issue depicts the sexual intercourse position, ‘The Prestige’, during which a consensual partner switches with another individual. This is to occur without the knowledge of the receiving partner until their consensual partner appears outside the window. This edition of the publication caused outrage not only amongst university students, but the wider population, and social and traditional medias.

** All in response to the cartoon’s depiction of the lack of consent during sexual intercourse. **

Public Health Issue
In Australia, 17238 people reported sexual assault in 2011, equating to just over 0.07% of the population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013a; Australian Government, 2013). Although the incident rate may seem quite low, the impact of sexual assaults on victims, perpetrators, and the health care and justice systems, is extensive. The estimated costs to the Australian economy for victims of sexual assault equates to a staggering 230 million dollars (Mayhew, 2003). This itself is appalling, however, it does not even come close to providing an accurate estimate of the burden of sexual assault amongst all Australians in the community. This article will discuss why inaccuracy of the estimates is inevitable, and how the elements of Australian culture and society contribute to this and the dire results for health.

Sexual Assault Reporting and Conviction in Australia
Sexual assault in Australia is defined differently in all jurisdictions, however, every definition implies that it constitutes a sexual act conducted without the consent of the other person (Fileborn, 2011). And unfortunately consent, especially in the legal system, is one of the most complex concepts to define in the context of the real world and sexual relationships (Dowding, 2011; Fileborn, 2011). A unique aspect of consent that increases the difficulty in its inclusion in the courtroom as evidence is that consent does not have to be explicitly stated (Dowding, 2011). **The absence of ‘no’, however, does not simply mean ‘yes’.** This often implicates errors of judgment in nonverbal communication and conflicts of beliefs and perspectives, if the alleged sexual assault ever reaches the justice system. Furthermore, in Australian law, for conviction in sexual assault cases there must be evidence that consent was not given by the victim, and that this was clear to the perpetrator (Fileborn, 2011).



It could be suggested, therefore, that the issue of consent is the sole contributor to the appallingly high acquittal rate of 74% of alleged sex offenders; a rate 43% higher than for any other type of offence (Klettke & Simonis, 2011). This conclusion, however, is a common misconception and contradictory to current evidence. Whilst the difficulty in defining consent in sexual relationships is unquestionably related, it is only one small issue amongst a complex set of societal taboos, misconceptions, laws, ethics and beliefs which prevent justice for the victims of these heinous crimes.

According to the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, the low conviction rate of perpetrators of sexual assault can also be attributed to the difficulty in obtaining sufficient evidence (Fileborn, 2011). This is in part due to the private and concealed nature of sexual assault. An alleged case without viable DNA evidence, therefore ,often relies solely on the statement of the victim for the prosecution's case (Klettke & Simonis, 2011). In addition, however, the high attrition rate of sexual assault cases, distrust of women or survivors of sexual assault by the criminal justice system and the belief in sexual assault myths and stereotypes are also believed to be linked to low conviction rates (Fileborn, 2011). In simple terms, the process to achieve prosecution for sexual assault is exceedingly long, difficult, and emotionally taxing for those involved, and there is a strong likelihood that it will not succeed.

The aforementioned points are all worrying, however, in the recent literature there is even more cause for concern around sexual assault in the Australian community. This is due to the exceptionally low reporting rate of sexual assault events. It is estimated that 85% of all sexual assaults are never brought to the attention of the criminal justice system (Fileborn, 2011). If this is the case it would bring the figure for sexual assault incidence in Australia to approximately 31890, although estimates have been suggested to be as high as 51200 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013a; 2013b; Australian Government, 2013). This worryingly low rate of reporting of sexual assaults is of concern for the health and justice systems, and all Australian citizens. **Now, 51200 cases of sexual assault per year; that really is a cause for concern!** So why is this such a problem in Australian society? Why are so many terrible stories going untold?

Much of the recent literature has focussed on this specifically, and in particular the social stigma that has been attached to being a victim or survivor of a sexual assault. Not only does this harm the ability of the prosecution to make a favourable case, but more importantly it discourages victims from speaking up for fear of disgrace, stigma, and other implicated social consequences (Klettke & Simonis, 2011). The high prevalence of these behaviours and beliefs in Australian society may be linked to previous prevention programs. Did they in fact do more harm than good?

Many traditional sexual assault programs in Australia have addressed the issue by targeting groups with high potential of becoming victims (Clark, Duncanson & Quadara, 2009; Hess & Swift, 2013). These programs included strategies such as encouraging women and vulnerable individuals to improve self-defence skills, and separating them from situations considered dangerous, by restricting their movements and activities (Hess & Swift, 2013). Whilst this may seem like a reasonable strategy that aligns well with suggested prevention frameworks, the focus on potential victim behaviours has ascribed blame to victims who have not followed the advice of these programs (Clark et al., 2009; Klettke & Simonis, 2011). The victim-blaming attitudes of many in Australian society makes it increasingly likely that they will hold the belief that the victim caused the sexual assault (Hess & Swift, 2013; Klettke & Simonis, 2011). In the Australian justice system, therefore, this explains in part the low conviction rate.

This approach to sexual assault prevention has recently been disbanded by the Australian Government in favour of a new evidence based framework that focusses more on the action of the perpetrator than the victim (Clark et al., 2009). One example of a successful program is the Welsh Government’s ‘Stop Blame’ campaign, which achieved success both in the increased attention for the issue, and even more remarkably a significant decrease in the number of sexual assault cases compared with previous years (Welsh Government, 2013). A clip shown as part of the 2010 campaign is included here giving an insight into strategies which really seem to work.

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Although adopting this approach to sexual assault prevention is a small step in the right direction for Australia, it is important to acknowledge the residual impact of previous programs (Clark et al., 2009). The information provided during the period of these programs are still inherent today, and may be for several generations to come. Stereotypes ingrained into society are often the hardest to break and of those in Australia we have a lot.

Over the last ten years there has been little evidence of change in the number of sexual assaults experienced by Australians (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013b).

The complex nature of this crime, surrounded by stigma, and wrought with misconceptions, makes it very difficult for traditional research, literature and statistics to successfully explain why these events occur and adequately understand the contributing issues. In the following section, therefore, will be an analysis that considers not only the raw data, but the cultural and societal factors underpinning these visible and measurable factors.

Cultural and Social Analysis: Rape Culture
"...there are many causes of violence against women. But there's one main cause. And that is the attitude of men towards women" (Rudd, 2009).

A statement from the former Prime Minister that many feminists would agree with, wholeheartedly. Mr. Rudd alluded explicitly to two important factors here. Firstly he identified, as do the statistics, that violence and also sexual assaults are more prevalent amongst females than males, with female sexual assaults accounting for over 85% (Australian Government, 2013). He also alluded to a popular feminist theory, rape culture. In the consideration of the underpinnings of sexual assault t it is this theory that most accurately prescribes reasoning to totally irrational behaviour (Pearson, 2000; SAGE Publications; Skinner, 2012). Applying this theory, it could be suggested that the staggering statistics about sexual assault prevalence, and low reporting and prosecution rates can be attributed almost solely to an aspect of Australia’s seemingly laidback society; the ‘rape culture’.

Rape culture encompasses societal beliefs and norms that encourage male dominated sexual violence as acceptable, and repudiate the importance of consent (SAGE Publications; Williams, 2007). This theory explains, therefore, the over representation of female victims. The reluctance of victims to report crimes can also be explained using this model, as the norms of rape culture increase attribution of blame and lack of compassion, especially toward female victims who were perceived to not be behaving 'appropriately’. These ideas of appropriate behaviour have been theorised to be related to previous prevention strategies, and whilst they have almost certainly emphasised such beliefs it was rape culture that influenced their creation.

Women live in fear of being raped. This has stemmed from the rape culture of society, which indicates that women must change their behaviour in order to avoid sexual assault. ‘No sexy clothing, don’t lead him on, don’t walk the streets alone, must verbally say no if you don’t want to do something.’ These are just some of the behavioural restrictions that are applied to women, of which breaking ensures blame, animosity and indifference ensue for the VICTIM. This is exceptionally relevant to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) communities, who also have an extremely high prevalence of sexual assault (up to 50% of the community), as their minority means that they are even more likely to be subject to these misconceptions.

In contrast, most men do not have this fear, subsequently widening the divide between males, and females and LGBTIQ people in society.

It is not, however, only females and LGBTIQ that the rape culture affects. Male victims of sexual assault also experience the effects of rape culture, however in a different context. Rape culture provides males with strict stereotypes for masculinity. This leads to the denial of rape in many male victims, as losing the dominant role facilitates serious questioning of their ‘masculinity’.

Artefact and Personal Learning Reflections
When I first looked at this artefact I was trawling through images hoping to find one that would stimulate some creative and philosophical genius. It grabbed my eye, so I wrote down a quick description, without hesitation italicising the words, ‘sexually assaulted’.

**“The cartoon depicts a woman who is ‘sexually assaulted’.” **

 Then with horror I looked at what I’d written, coming to the realisation that those italics showed that I too was a part of the Australian rape culture. In some place within me there was an inherent belief that this cartoon didn’t really depict a rape, it was just another of those funny, if slightly inappropriate images.

This image makes such a strong impact for several reasons. Firstly, it is an exceptionally clear depiction of sexual assault. There is clearly no consent given and this is even explicitly stated by the ‘instructions’. **The ‘instructions?!** This cartoon is not only a depiction of a sexual assault, it is telling people how to commit a heinous crime and indicating that it is enjoyable, 'like a magic trick', to do so. I believe that this is a clear example of the rape culture and that its impact is present at all generational levels. A perfect indicator that our education and prevention programs are **FAILING MISERABLY** and that this is a public health issue that requires significantly more attention!

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Through this assignment I definitely learnt a lot. I can now affirmatively tell you that the artefact does depict sexual assault (no italics involved). And sexual assault is not something funny, not something that should be laughed about and definitely not something that should be put into a cartoon. Or perhaps we should just add this segment to the end…


 * <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 140%;">Peer Reflection **

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<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Georgia,serif;">References
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2013a). //Australian Demographic Statistics, Mar 2013//. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2013b). //Crime Victimisation, Australia 2011-12.// Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Australian Government. (2013). //Australian Crime: Facts and Figures 2012.//

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Clark, H., Duncanson, K., & Quadara, A. (2009). //Developments in the sector: Prevention frameworks//. Australian Institute of Family Services.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Dowding, K. (2011). Consent. In K. Dowding (Ed.), //Encyclopedia of power// (pp. 138-139). CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Fileborn, B. (2011). //Sexual assault laws in Australia//.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Hess, R. E., & Swift, C. F. (2013). //Sexual Assault and Abuse : Sociocultural Context of Prevention.// Retrieved from [|http://QUT.eblib.com.au/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=1144716]

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Klettke, B., & Simonis, S. (2011). //Attitudes regarding the perceived culpability of adolescent and adult victims of sexual assault//. Australian Government.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Mayhew, P. (2003). //Counting the Costs of Crime in Australia: Technical Report.// Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology Retrieved from [].

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Pearson, A. (2000). //Rape Culture: Media and Message. Off Our Backs, 30//, 13.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">SAGE Publications, I. //Rape Culture. Encyclopedia of Interpersonal Violence. SAGE Publications, Inc//. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Skinner, L. (2012). RAPE CULTURE AND MASCULINITIY. //Fuse Magazine//, //35//, 6-7.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Student paper's sex position of the week depicts sexual assault. (2010). Retrieved from []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Welsh Government. (2013). //Christmas 2010 - Stop Blame.// Welsh Government.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Williams, J. (2007). Rape Culture. In G. Ritzer (Ed.), //Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology//: Blackwell Reference Online.