Psychology 277 - Conceptual Journal #5

Psy 277
Nov 27, 2018
Conceptual Journal 6

Observation and Description

Sexual assault is at the forefront of the modern psyche these days.  With the Catholic Priests, Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, we seem to be uncovering generations of sexual assault to both genders.  The most heinous of these crimes is that of child sexual abuse.  It is unknown how many children are sexually assaulted because it largely goes unreported (Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., Fichner-Rathus, L., 2018, p. 496). One place where sexual assault is more common than in the general public is in Saddle Creek Cree Nation in Alberta Canada.  Though the researchers initially wanted to interview Cree members about the unusually high STI rates, they uncovered a tribe torn apart by generations of unreported child sexual abuse (Gesink, D., Whiskeyjack, L., Suntjens, T., Mihic, A., McGilvery, P., 2016, p. 16).

Conceptual Linkage

In the Cree Nation, a wounded person will seek out medicine. However, there is not a system in place to handle the wounds of childhood sexual assault.  This problem is so pervasive, that because they are choosing to self-medicate with drugs, alcohol, and sex, the reported STI rates have become astronomical, with Cree women having a higher rate of HIV infection than the general population (Gesink, D., et. al., p. 13) And yet, when the researchers arrived, the Cree interviewees, pointed to their massive problem with childhood sexual assault as the root “wound” of the healing circle (p. 14). As a victim of childhood sexual assault myself, who is a recovering addict as well, I agree that one needs to find the root problem of the addiction before the work on healing can begin.  It is a shame that the Cree Nation chooses to stay silent about the sexual assault, though I understand the reasons.  In our text, it is suggested that only 14% of all rapes are reported, a tragic fact that is a direct result of the flaws in our various cultures (Rathus, S., et. al., p. 480). I chose not to report my second rape.  I just hoped he wouldn’t do it again.  Cree Indigenous women have similar feelings (p.18).  They are taught to “suffer in silence” (pp. 480-481) while the assailant walks free.  This could be because of loopholes in the government, as Cree people do not have police, are drugged at parties, or are assaulted by family members (p.20).

Conceptual Insight for the Future

It’s important not to put our values onto other people.  While the Cree certainly should have better access to police and psychiatric care, it is important that their traditions, such as the medicine wheel (p. 14).  I don’t think there’s a clear cut answer to ending childhood sexual assault that doesn’t involve throwing everyone from the tribe (or at least most of them) in jail. The article makes it seem that almost everyone is either a participant, an assailant, or someone who looked the other way, and the text also mentions how Mexican women are told to deal with it and move on (p. 481).  We need a stronger justice system, and more punishments for rapists.  However, until we topple the patriarchy and handle our victim blaming, gas lighting, and slut shaming, it’s very unlikely to change.

References

Gesink, D., Whiskeyjack, L., Suntjens, T., Mihic, A., McGilvery, P. (2016) Abuse of power in relationships

     and sexual health. Child Abuse & Neglect, 58(2016) 12-23

Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., Fichner-Rathus, L., (2018) Human Sexuality in a Changing World. New York, NY.

     Pearson

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Grade: 21/20
Professor Comments: Very interesting topic for your make-up CJ, and a very large social issue for the Cree Nation.