Factors that Influence the Psychological Impact of Sexual Violence: - A victim's socio-biological characteristics. - A victim's perception of their rights and their status. - A victim's belief about what constitutes sexual violence. - Prior history of trauma, be that sexual or other. - Prior mental health issues. - The relationship of the offender to the victim. - A victim's appraisal of the circumstances of the violence (e.g. threat to life, self-blame). - A victim's coping mechanisms. - Positive family and social support. - Cultural background. - Perceived and actual response of society, including any formal services approached, to disclosure of sexual violence. - For childhood sexual abuse the duration, frequency and severity of the abuse, in addition to the relationship of the offender to the victim. The biological, psychological and sociological impacts and treatments should not remain mutually exclusive. A better appreciation of the biopsychosocial repercussions of sexual assault will aid in developing a more holistic and individualized therapy to help alleviate the physical and emotional pain following the trauma of rape.

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