The Sexual Victimization of Women: Substance Abuse, HIV, Prostitution, and Intimate Partner Violence as Underlying Correlates

Abstract

The sexual victimization of women has lifelong effects that can manifest in the forms of substance abuse, the human immunodeficiency virus, prostitution, intimate partner abuse, and an array of psychological disorders. An examination of the correlates of sexual assault revealed that the victims of this crime are in need of therapeutic interventions to alleviate or eradicate the symptoms associated with the posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders. Further, treatment services are needed to address the physiological and psychological symptoms of substance use disorders and intimate partner violence, while medical interventions are required for women affected with HIV.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexual victimization
• substance abuse
• HIV
• prostitution
• intimate partner violence