April: Sexual Assault Awareness Month
During the 1940s and 1950s there were multiple movements within the United States demanding social change and equality that began to shed light on sexual assault. Although conversations surrounding the topic were very limited the fight to address sexual assault was propelled by Black women and women of color. After years of social activism, the first rape crisis center was founded in San Francisco in 1971 and decades later survivors and advocates called for legislation to create the Violence Against Women Act of 1993. Victims of sexual violence occur at every age, gender, sexual orientation, and communities with the perpetrator typically being someone that the victim knows. Perpetrators of sexual violence can be a friend, current or former intimate partner, coworker, neighbor, family member, or a stranger.
The act of violence can be done in person, online, or via technology such as sharing images without consent. It’s extremely common for victims to feel too ashamed or afraid to file a police report or confide in friends and family members. Sexual assault affects millions of people each year in the United States. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 26 men have experienced completed or attempted rape, more than half of women and 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence with physical contact, and 1 in 9 men were forced to penetrate someone during their lifetime. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced sexual harassment in public, the majority of female rape survivors reported being raped prior to the age of 25 with half occuring while they were a minor, and 8 in 10 male rape survivors reported being forced to penetrate someone before the age of 25 with 4 in 10 being forced as a minor. Women, racial, and ethnic minority groups have a higher risk of sexual violence and the lifetime cost of rape per survivor is $122,461 due to medical costs, lost productivity, criminal justice activities, and other costs.
The consequences of sexual violence are endless and can result in suicide. Physical injuries, STI’s, pregnancy, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, PTSD, as well as reproductive, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and sexual health problems are just a few consequences. Victims of sexual violence are more likely to abuse alcohol, use drugs, engage in risky sexual activity, have their job performance negatively impacted, and have difficulty keeping personal relationships. The CDC has developed a STOP SV model to help communities prevent sexual violence from occuring. The CDC recommends promoting social norms that protect against violence, teach skills to prevent sexual violence, provide opportunities to empower and support girls and women, create protective environments, and support victims/survivors to lessen harms.
If you or a loved one are a victim of sexual violence help is available. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to have your call routed to a local sexual assault service provider in your area.
Source: National Sexual Violence Resource Center, CDC