Sexual coercion refers to the act of forcing someone into unwanted sexual activity through physical force, threats, manipulation, pressure, or other forms of abuse. It can take many forms such as rape, assault, harassment, or stalking, but is most often experienced as nonconsensual, unwelcome, and traumatic. Sexual coercion can occur within romantic relationships, friendships, family dynamics, workplaces, and institutions, and has been found to have lasting psychosocial and mental health impacts that disproportionately affect women and marginalized groups.
Experiences of sexual coercion are associated with long-term negative outcomes such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, suicidality, and other mental health issues. Victims may struggle to trust others and maintain healthy relationships due to feelings of shame, guilt, anger, fear, betrayal, and powerlessness. They may also experience symptoms of flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance, numbing, isolation, and hyperarousal. These experiences can lead to difficulties regulating emotions, coping with stress, and communicating effectively, which in turn can further compromise social support systems and overall wellbeing.
Some victims do manage to adapt successfully and build resilience over time by engaging in positive coping strategies, accessing resources, seeking support from loved ones and professionals, reframing their experiences, and cultivating self-compassion. Research suggests that resilience is fostered through a combination of protective factors such as social connectedness, personal strengths, positive attitudes, optimism, and spirituality. It involves the ability to recognize and address challenges, seek help when needed, problem solve, and maintain hope for future recovery and growth.
Experiences of sexual coercion can significantly impact individuals' psychosocial adaptation, emotional resilience, and long-term mental health outcomes.
It is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing and that each person has unique needs and pathways towards recovery. By increasing awareness of these issues and promoting access to resources, we can work towards creating safer and more equitable communities where everyone feels empowered and supported.
How do experiences of sexual coercion impact psychosocial adaptation, emotional resilience, and long-term mental health outcomes?
Sexual coercion is defined as any form of unwanted sexual activity that occurs when consent is absent (i. e. , nonconsensual sex), threatened, or under pressure. Research suggests that experiencing sexual coercion can have profound negative effects on an individual's psychosocial adjustment, emotional resilience, and long-term mental health outcomes.