Unmasking the Stigma: A Call to Action for Greater Sexual Assault Reporting and Trauma-Informed Parenting
Mar 4, 2025 | 2025, Petersheim | 3 comments
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Berithsa, thank you for your informative presentation on “Unmasking the Stigma: A Call to Action for Greater Sexual Assault Reporting and Trauma-Informed Parenting”. Your examination greatly emphasized the extensive economic an personals cost that sexual violence brings in the the United States, particularly how you emphasized it a major public health issue. Also, I appreciated how you connected insufficient prevention programs, lack of thorough sexual education in many states, along with the unfortunate sustained intergenerational sexual violence because you showed how much each one influences the others. Your call for social workers to become more active in advocating for primary prevention strategies, including mandatory extensive sexual education and trauma-informed parenting programs, was very urgent but also appropriate. In addition, I especially agree with your conclusion that these programs could greatly improve reporting rates, enhanced identification of sexual assault cases, along with how they can develop more communities that prioritize respect ,prevention, and accountability. Your overall presentation helped highlight the urgent need for efforts in this area along with how social workers can be important advocates for promoting positive change.
Hi Berithsa,
Thank you for shedding light on such a controversial yet important topic. Your use of Na’ziyah Harris’s story strengthens your statements regarding the law, the failings of proper sexual education, and the criticism of certain states that do not have any laws protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. Trauma-informed parenting is a topic that I have never heard before, but I recognize its importance. Many parents are traumatized themselves, and this creates an unhealthy relationship with their child, as well as teaching their child to communicate about their needs/wants, dislikes, and discomfort. Mandatory comprehensive sexual education is a very good first start, but the underlying problem of who is to teach this material to the children still remains. Many children and young adults are not properly educated about sexual education because teachers believe parents should do it and vice versa. There should also be a way to involve parents in this process, whether through interactive family workshops or even going so far as to have sexual education mandated through job training. There are so many ideas to develop, but I enjoyed this poster and your presentation very much!
Hi, Berithsa
This was so informative, and I appreciate you shedding light on this. I did not know sexual violence was a very costly public health issue in the United States, with an annual cost of over one point three trillion dollars. The fact that there aren’t enough interventions for survivors, nor sufficient education and resources, highlights the urgent need for more federal, state, and local implementation. Your research on how fourteen states have no laws in place as of January 2023 illustrates the disparities and inequalities in access to prevention and support services. Unfortunately, several individuals get sexually assaulted, and there needs to be more education and resources! You highlighting how social workers can play a key role in primary prevention strategies, such as mandatory comprehensive sexual education, is so important. Teaching consent and the different consent forms are essential in ensuring individuals understand their rights, personal boundaries, and how to respect others. Many people are unaware that consent is not just about saying yes or no but also the power dynamics, coercion, and the ability to make informed decisions without pressure or fear from a partner. Social workers can address the gaps through thorough, comprehensive sexual education and trauma-informed care.