<p>In recent years, sexual victimization has received increasing societal and scientific attention, especially since the #MeToo movement. Similarly, technology-facilitated forms of sexual victimization have attracted growing interest. Despite the severe consequences of sexual victimization, many victims still refrain from disclosing and seeking support. Considering the potential for polyvictimization, it is important to understand victims’ help-seeking behavior for a continuum of sexual victimization, including technology-facilitated forms, particularly their decision-making process and help-seeking trajectory. Building on prior conceptual frameworks and recent literature, this article presents a revised conceptual framework to understand victims’ decision-making processes in seeking help. The revised framework proposes that victims go through a five-stage cognitive-emotional decision-making process that is influenced by a multitude of interrelated barriers and facilitators, including victims’ ecological contexts based on Bronfenbrenner’s (<CitationRef CitationID="CR6">1979</CitationRef>) ecological theory of human development. It thereby allows for a discussion of the role of both online and offline contexts. By deepening our understanding of victims’ help-seeking behaviors, the revised framework can inform more effective support services, prevention strategies, and policy responses, ultimately contributing to more comprehensive efforts to address sexual violence.</p>

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A Revised Conceptual Framework for Deciding to Seek Help for a Continuum of (Technology-Facilitated) Sexual Violence

  • Valérie Pijlman

摘要

In recent years, sexual victimization has received increasing societal and scientific attention, especially since the #MeToo movement. Similarly, technology-facilitated forms of sexual victimization have attracted growing interest. Despite the severe consequences of sexual victimization, many victims still refrain from disclosing and seeking support. Considering the potential for polyvictimization, it is important to understand victims’ help-seeking behavior for a continuum of sexual victimization, including technology-facilitated forms, particularly their decision-making process and help-seeking trajectory. Building on prior conceptual frameworks and recent literature, this article presents a revised conceptual framework to understand victims’ decision-making processes in seeking help. The revised framework proposes that victims go through a five-stage cognitive-emotional decision-making process that is influenced by a multitude of interrelated barriers and facilitators, including victims’ ecological contexts based on Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological theory of human development. It thereby allows for a discussion of the role of both online and offline contexts. By deepening our understanding of victims’ help-seeking behaviors, the revised framework can inform more effective support services, prevention strategies, and policy responses, ultimately contributing to more comprehensive efforts to address sexual violence.