Putting it behind? Young Indian victim-survivors of sexual violence and the quest for sexual well-being

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15099752
AutoresSaakshi Saxena (Institute of Development Studies, autor de correspondencia), Pauline Oosterhoff (0000-0002-2579-7138, Institute of Development Studies)
Año2023
Volumen25
Número12
Páginas1597-1611
Fecha de publicación2023-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2023.2183989
PMID36876881
OpenAlexW4323294366
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas28

This article explores if and how young unmarried Indian female victim-survivors of sexual violence in an intimate relationship reclaim sexual well-being within a context of systemic impunity with structural and intersectional gender inequalities. While legal and societal structures need reform, we seek to understand how victim-survivors use their personal agency to move forward, forge new relationships and lead a fulfilling sexual life. We utilised analytic autoethnography research methods to understand these issues since they allowed us to include personal reflections and recognise the authors' as well as study participants' positionality. Findings highlight the importance of close female friendships combined with access to therapy to recognise and (re)frame experiences of sexual violence within an intimate relationship. None of the victim-survivors reported sexual violence to law enforcement. They struggled in the aftermath of their relationships but also used their close personal and therapeutic networks to understand how to build more satisfying intimate relations. In three cases, this involved meeting with the ex-partner to discuss the abuse. Our findings raise important questions about gender, class, friendship, social support, power and taking legal action in reclaiming sexual pleasure and rights

Context (archaeology · Criminology · Domestic violence · Friendship · Poison control · Sexual violence · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Gender Studies · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Social Psychology