SOCIAL REPRESENTATION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

The present study explored the social representations of sexual violence in Sicilian secondary schools students. Regarding the social representation of sexual violence and its possible causes, it appears to be important the limited meaning given to sexual violence referred only to those behaviors that require physical strength, whereas sexual abuse subtle forms were not regarded as sexual violence. Among the possible causes of sexual violence, grammar schools students more than students of technical schools believe that the causes are mostly brought back to the identity conception of predatory, to ambiguous behavior of the victim and to the lack of consideration of subjective personal rights. Males more than females, attributed the provocative posture of the victim as the main cause of sexual violence. Furthermore the sample believes that the victim will only talk with people whom he or she feels emotionally close and that the behavioral pattern and educational goals that allow to affirm their identity in full respect of others, as very severe preventive measures on offenders, can play an important role in preventing sexual violence. The overall framework outlines a social representation of sexual violence in adolescents that need an intense work of primary prevention.