Classical learned helplessness and sexual violence
Shanon et al (1) data now provides strong evidence regarding gender
based violence against female sex workers, working on streets, and must be
congratulated for their study. The study may also have implications for
mental health problems in long term, although it was not directly studied
here.
I would like to make few comments here, although may not be directly
related to the study. Female sex worker of age 14 or over were recruited
and by U.K perspective one may wonder about child protection issues but
story is different in Canada. Canada’s age of consent to sexual activity,
have been 14 since 1892 and it is only recently raised to 16, and is now
in line with U.K, Australia and many states of USA (2). Although, the
legal framework does not consider a 14 years old girl’s physical,
emotional, mental and psychological capabilities to make decisions, in
order to avoid unnecessary physical or sexual harm. Who is then
responsible for these young people’s well being? One bad decision may ruin
the chances of having any possibility of decent life in future. Young
girls working as sex workers are often have traumatic past, including
running away, physical/sexual abuse, bullying, dysfunctional family life,
mental health problems and substance misuse. Often substance abuse alone
can be responsible for prostitution.
20% of the study population was under 24 years of age and it will be
interesting to know the percentage of girls under 16 and physical/sexual
violence against them, in comparison to relatively older group. Such a
traumatic experience at this tender age may decide the future line of
action for these young girls and as a result they may be ‘suffering in
silence’. Will it be different from the classical ‘learned helplessness’?
References:
1. Shannon K, Kerr T, Strathdee SA et al. Prevalence and structural
correlates of gender based violence among a prospective cohort of female
sex workers. BMJ 2009;339:b2939
Rapid Response:
Classical learned helplessness and sexual violence
Shanon et al (1) data now provides strong evidence regarding gender
based violence against female sex workers, working on streets, and must be
congratulated for their study. The study may also have implications for
mental health problems in long term, although it was not directly studied
here.
I would like to make few comments here, although may not be directly
related to the study. Female sex worker of age 14 or over were recruited
and by U.K perspective one may wonder about child protection issues but
story is different in Canada. Canada’s age of consent to sexual activity,
have been 14 since 1892 and it is only recently raised to 16, and is now
in line with U.K, Australia and many states of USA (2). Although, the
legal framework does not consider a 14 years old girl’s physical,
emotional, mental and psychological capabilities to make decisions, in
order to avoid unnecessary physical or sexual harm. Who is then
responsible for these young people’s well being? One bad decision may ruin
the chances of having any possibility of decent life in future. Young
girls working as sex workers are often have traumatic past, including
running away, physical/sexual abuse, bullying, dysfunctional family life,
mental health problems and substance misuse. Often substance abuse alone
can be responsible for prostitution.
20% of the study population was under 24 years of age and it will be
interesting to know the percentage of girls under 16 and physical/sexual
violence against them, in comparison to relatively older group. Such a
traumatic experience at this tender age may decide the future line of
action for these young girls and as a result they may be ‘suffering in
silence’. Will it be different from the classical ‘learned helplessness’?
References:
1. Shannon K, Kerr T, Strathdee SA et al. Prevalence and structural
correlates of gender based violence among a prospective cohort of female
sex workers. BMJ 2009;339:b2939
2. "Canada's age of consent raised by 2 years". CBC News. 2008-05-01.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/05/01/crime-bill.html
Imran Mushtaq, Associate Specialist-Child & Adolescent
Psychiatrist, Milton Keynes SP-CAHMS, Eaglestone Centre, Standing Way,
Milton Keynes MK6 5AZ
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests