[Sexual violence--sexualized violence]

The fusion of sexuality and violence is a major issue of concern and has become a central issue of social policy. That fusion can be observed in private circumstances as well as in society at large. Children and young people as well as women and men can fall victim to that phenomenon. Eventually, due to gender stereotyping, the awareness of the victimization of the male gender is somewhat weak. In the social-political discourse the male is seen as dominant and powerful and the female gender as the weak one. Sexual violence and/or domination therefore is interpreted as mirroring the genderized balance of power in society. Otherwise the phenomenon is very complex and cannot be explained by simplistic or one-dimensional interpretations. In respect of definitions it is necessary to separate "sexual violence", as an aspect of sexual behavior, and "sexualized power". The latter means the use of sexuality for the display of power and violence. That kind of fusion is visible in all kinds of interactions--on the private level as well as in the sense of "structural power" (like in war, torture, etc.). To theory and practice of psychiatry and psychotherapy the situation brings a whole series of objectives. On the one hand these disciplines have the task to study the phenomenon in different contexts and to contribute to the understanding of the psychic and psychosocial processes which lead to the fusion of the drives. On the other hand it is their obligation to treat the victims of sexual trauma. In recent times much insight has been gained in that context. Nevertheless there has to be much future work done, to understand the phenomenon more deeply and to develop adapted and efficient concepts for prevention and treatment.