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The Survivor Master Narrative in Sexual Assault
Shane D Muldoon1, S Caroline Taylor2, Caroline Norma3
1New Age People, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia newagepeople@optusnet.com.au.
Violence Against Women
|January 2, 2016
Summary
Sexual assault survivors experience "identity shock," finding legal distinctions meaningless. Addressing sexual violence requires viewing it as a public issue beyond individual justice or therapy.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Sociology
- Psychology
Background:
- Sexual assault is often treated as a private matter.
- Legal classifications of sexual assault may not reflect survivor experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze survivor responses to sexual assault.
- To critique the legal distinction between minor and serious sexual assault.
- To reframe sexual assault as a public issue.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 90 Victoria Police operational files (2004-2008).
- Qualitative thematic analysis of survivor narratives.
Main Results:
- Survivor responses cohere into a master narrative of "identity shock."
- The "minor/serious" legal distinction is irrelevant to survivors' lived experiences.
- Sexual assault represents a betrayal of public trust, not solely private troubles.
Conclusions:
- Effective responses to sexual assault necessitate a broader societal approach.
- Individualized therapeutic and criminal justice measures are insufficient.
- Recognizing sexual assault as a public issue is crucial for meaningful resolution.