Sexual coercion is defined as unwanted or forced sexual contact that occurs without consent from one person to another. This can include unwanted kisses, touching, and intercourse. Sexual coercion can have both short-term and long-term effects on an individual's morality, relational functioning, and psychological well-being. The following will explore these consequences in detail.
Short-term consequences:
In the short term, victims of sexual coercion may feel shame, guilt, anger, fear, embarrassment, and confusion about their experience. They may also suffer physical injuries such as bruises, lacerations, and broken bones. These feelings can be exacerbated if they are forced to keep quiet about what happened due to social stigma, cultural norms, or legal ramifications. Victims may develop anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, substance abuse problems, and suicidal ideation.
Long-term consequences:
Victims of sexual coercion may struggle with trust issues, self-esteem, and intimacy in relationships. They may find it difficult to establish close emotional connections with others, leading to isolation and loneliness. Victims may also feel disconnected from their bodies, experiencing a loss of pleasure during sex, difficulty achieving orgasm, and negative body image.
Victims may become hypervigilant, always scanning for signs of danger and avoiding situations where they could be vulnerable again. They may also engage in risky behaviors such as drinking heavily, using drugs, or having unsafe sex, which can lead to further trauma.
Effect on moral reasoning:
Sexual coercion can erode an individual's sense of morality by challenging their understanding of consent, boundaries, and autonomy. It can make them question their beliefs around gender roles, power dynamics, and the value they place on personal agency. This can cause cognitive dissonance and confusion about right and wrong, leading to self-doubt, shame, and guilt.
Effect on relational functioning:
Sexual coercion can harm an individual's ability to form healthy, meaningful relationships by damaging their sense of self-worth and trust in others. They may have difficulty communicating their needs, setting limits, and negotiating boundaries, leading to conflict and frustration. Long-term effects include difficulty forming attachments, maintaining friendships, and finding supportive partners.
Effect on psychological well-being:
The long-term consequences of sexual coercion can have far-reaching effects on mental health, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mood disorders. Victims may experience flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts related to their experience, affecting their daily functioning and quality of life. These symptoms can persist for years, impacting work performance, academic achievement, social interactions, and family relations. Treatment options include therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes such as exercise, meditation, and mindfulness practices.
Sexual coercion has long-lasting and wide-ranging effects on an individual's moral reasoning, relational functioning, and psychological well-being. Victims may struggle with intimacy, trust issues, and self-esteem, while experiencing physical and emotional trauma. It is essential to provide support, resources, and education around consent and healthy sexuality to prevent these negative outcomes.
What are the long-term consequences of sexual coercion for moral reasoning, relational functioning, and psychological well-being?
Sexual coercion is often associated with negative long-term effects on an individual's moral reasoning, relational functioning, and psychological well-being. One study conducted by researchers from Harvard University found that victims of sexual coercion experienced significant levels of shame, guilt, fear, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem (Cavanaugh et al. , 2015).