Sexual coercion is a form of gender-based violence that occurs when one person uses physical force or emotional manipulation to compel another into a sexual act against their will. It is common among people who work together in high-pressure settings such as military personnel, police officers, emergency responders, healthcare providers, and athletic teams. This paper examines how sexual coercion impacts trust, relational security, and group cohesion in operational units under pressure.
Let's define what sexual coercion means. Sexual coercion refers to any unwanted sexual activity that occurs due to threats, pressure, or manipulation from someone else. It can include nonconsensual touching, kissing, groping, intercourse, voyeurism, exhibitionism, exposure to pornography, or sexting. These acts are illegal and unethical. Sexual coercion often occurs in situations where individuals feel vulnerable due to power imbalances between them and their superiors or peers.
Junior members may fear retaliation if they refuse to engage in sex with senior members.
Members may be too afraid to report incidents for fear of being ostracized by their colleagues. This creates an environment where sexual abuse can go unchecked and victims may not get justice.
We must consider how sexual coercion affects relationships within operational units. When someone experiences sexual assault or harassment, it erodes their trust in others. They may start questioning whether they can rely on their teammates to protect them or speak up when something is wrong. Trust is crucial in a unit because it enables members to depend on each other to complete missions safely and effectively. Without trust, individuals may hesitate to take risks or delegate tasks, leading to poor performance. Victims may also become anxious about future interactions with their colleagues, which can disrupt the flow of communication and coordination during operations.
Sexual coercion can undermine relational security among members. Relational security refers to the feeling that one's relationship will remain stable despite external threats. In operational settings, this means being confident that your teammates will stick together under duress and support each other even if things get tough.
Sexual coercion creates uncertainty and mistrust, making it difficult for members to build strong bonds with each other. Individuals who have been victimized may withdraw from social activities or avoid spending time alone with certain members. They may also feel guilty or ashamed, leading to self-isolation and loneliness. These factors can negatively impact morale and reduce cohesion within a group.
Sexual coercion can weaken group cohesion by fostering divisions between victims and perpetrators. Perpetrators may be ostracized by their peers, while victims may struggle to trust anyone. This can create two distinct subgroups within an operational unit, reducing collaboration and interpersonal understanding.
Members may start blaming each other instead of working together to address the issue. The result is decreased productivity, poor decision-making, and increased stress levels.
Sexual coercion has devastating consequences on relationships within operational units under pressure. It erodes trust, disrupts relational security, and threatens group cohesion. To prevent these negative effects, leaders must prioritize creating a culture of respect, accountability, and openness where everyone feels safe reporting incidents without fear of retaliation. Members should receive training on how to identify signs of sexual coercion and intervene appropriately when necessary.
Organizations need to provide access to resources such as counseling services to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable. By taking action against sexual coercion, operational units can maintain positive relationships that enable them to perform at their best in high-pressure situations.
How does sexual coercion impact trust, relational security, and group cohesion in operational units under pressure?
Sexual coercion can have profound impacts on the dynamics of trust, relational security, and group cohesion within military units that operate under extreme stressors such as combat, trauma exposure, and other forms of high pressure environments. Victims may experience anxiety, shame, guilt, and distrust towards their teammates which can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from their unit.