For those who don't know, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, part of a campaign to end sexual violence.
This is an issue that continues to affect far too many individuals,- with approximately 1 in 6 women experiencing rape or attempted rape, and while we often (and rightly so) see discussions of sexual assault in the context of college campuses and fraternity culture, 44% of survivors are under the age of 18 and 15% are under the age of 12. What's more, such assaults occur approximately 293,000 times a year.
Despite the prevalence of these crimes, they remain one of the two least reported crimes in the United States (along with household theft), with 68% of sexual assaults not reported to the police and only 2% of rapists ever spending a day in jail. That is, for every 100 rapes, 32 will be reported to the police, 7 of which will lead to an arrest, 3 of which are referred to prosecutors, and 2 of which will lead to conviction and in turn serving time. This is compared with only a 1/3 chance that a homicide will go unresolved.
It is not difficult to understand why, even with the anger and hurt and violation that accompanies this experience, individuals would not want to endure the arduous and trying experience of a criminal prosecution (exams, questioning, etc.), especially if there are accompanying feelings of shame, guilt, or confusion. (Indeed, when I inquired of a medical professional at what point I should get tested, I was asked whether I had been drinking that night). It is perpetuated further by the fact that most incidents (approximately 4/5) are committed by someone known to the individual, making the reporting process more complicated. And there is some inclination to try to simply erase the memory and evidence, as I did the morning after in one of the longest showers of my life (despite my otherwise eco-friendly tendencies).
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center has compiled valuable resources on sexual violence for its 2016 campaign on college campuses and beyond. Prevention is possible.
This is an issue that continues to affect far too many individuals,- with approximately 1 in 6 women experiencing rape or attempted rape, and while we often (and rightly so) see discussions of sexual assault in the context of college campuses and fraternity culture, 44% of survivors are under the age of 18 and 15% are under the age of 12. What's more, such assaults occur approximately 293,000 times a year.
Despite the prevalence of these crimes, they remain one of the two least reported crimes in the United States (along with household theft), with 68% of sexual assaults not reported to the police and only 2% of rapists ever spending a day in jail. That is, for every 100 rapes, 32 will be reported to the police, 7 of which will lead to an arrest, 3 of which are referred to prosecutors, and 2 of which will lead to conviction and in turn serving time. This is compared with only a 1/3 chance that a homicide will go unresolved.
It is not difficult to understand why, even with the anger and hurt and violation that accompanies this experience, individuals would not want to endure the arduous and trying experience of a criminal prosecution (exams, questioning, etc.), especially if there are accompanying feelings of shame, guilt, or confusion. (Indeed, when I inquired of a medical professional at what point I should get tested, I was asked whether I had been drinking that night). It is perpetuated further by the fact that most incidents (approximately 4/5) are committed by someone known to the individual, making the reporting process more complicated. And there is some inclination to try to simply erase the memory and evidence, as I did the morning after in one of the longest showers of my life (despite my otherwise eco-friendly tendencies).
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center has compiled valuable resources on sexual violence for its 2016 campaign on college campuses and beyond. Prevention is possible.
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