Chances are that someone you know has been sexually assaulted. It is estimated that more than 1 out of every 3 women and nearly 1 out of ever 4 men have been sexually assaulted during their lives. Sexual assault can include any type of sexual activity that occurs without consent of the victim. It can include rape, attempted rape, forcing a person to perform sexual acts, and unwanted sexual touching.
Defining sexual assault gets a little tricky because the laws change from state to state. In Arkansas, it includes sexual intercourse or deviate sexual behavior with a minor (that is not the offender’s spouse) if the offender is in a position of trust or authority over the victim. It also includes sexual contact with a person by force or when a person is incapable of consent (physically helpless, mentally defective, or mentally incapacitated).
Here are the facts about sexual assault in the U.S.:
* In the U.S. someone is sexually assaulted every 92 seconds.
* The greatest chances for being raped and sexually assaulted are between the ages of 12-34.
* Native Americans are twice as likely to be raped/sexually assaulted.
* Black women have a 35% higher risk of experiencing sexual assault/domestic violence than white women.
* Of male victims of sexual assault, 28% of them were raped before the age of 10.
* While in college, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men were sexually assaulted.
* 42% of women raped while in college never report the rape.
* Estimates point to the possibility of only about 5% of sexual assaults on colleges campuses are reported.
* Those that commit sexual assault on college campuses are often serial offenders.
* About 40% of rape victims develop sexually transmitted diseases.
* 32,000 pregnancies are the result of rape every year.
*45% of domestic violence survivors have been sexually assaulted by their abusers.
* Most individuals are sexually assaulted by someone they know.
* Victims of rape are 13 times more likely to attempt suicide.
We tend to believe that only young, attractive women are the victims of rape. But the facts show that sexual violence is more about power and control of the victim than sexual attraction. Persons of any age, any race, any gender, any physical size, persons with or without disabilities, and of any socioeconomic background can be victims of sexual assault. Let’s get the facts out about sexual assault and break this cycle of abusive behavior.
For help breaking free from domestic violence of any kind – including sexual assault – call 1-888-554-2501, any time, day or night. For help in Conway County call 501-354-1884 or in Perry County call 501-889-2030.
https://www.doorwaysva.org/our-work/education-advocacy/the-facts-about-sexual-assault/
https://www.ccbc.edu/sexualviolencefacts
https://www.doorwaysva.org/our-work/education-advocacy/statistics/
https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-sexual-assault
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