Most of us have heard it before. Someone got raped at a party, someone tried to kiss someone else and they said no, so they forced themselves upon them. It happens all around us. But nobody realizes how it affects people until it happens to you or someone close to you. We all hope and pray that it doesn’t happen to us or someone close to us, and then stay silent about it. So why don’t we talk about it, and why don’t we do anything about it?
According to the DEA, “Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child.” That fact is scary to read, the realization that almost every minute someone in the United States is sexually assaulted. And that enough children are assaulted that it’s less than 10 minutes in between each time a child is sexually assaulted. More than 1 in 3 women will experience some kind of sexual assault during their lifetime, and nearly 1 in 4 men will go through the same thing (DEA). Another shocking fact: the estimated cost for the victim after a rape is $122,461 (DEA). Why are we making victims of rape pay for their aftermath?
Victims of rape can suffer from PTSD, symptoms of which may necessitate therapy or psychotropic medications, sexual health problems, and other physiological symptoms of chronic stress. Another scary thing: when it happens once, it’s more likely to happen again. In fact according to the DEA, “… girls who have been sexually abused are more likely to experience additional sexual violence and other forms of violence and be a victim of intimate partner violence in adulthood.” If you’re wondering why this is, it’s because of the trauma they’ve endured already. They don’t see the red flags as easily and by the time they realize something is wrong, they’re too deep in to avoid the violence.
Speaking out against sexual assault reduces the chances it will occur. According to Pandora’s Projects, “Sexual assault and its wounds flourish in an atmosphere of secrecy, silence and myth. Speaking out brings it into the light.” Pandora’s project has been around since 1999 and provides not only a safe space for survivors of assault and abuse to share their stories but also references for support in local communities. They are a non-profit, so donations are tax-deductible.
Survivors of sexual assault don’t speak out because they are afraid. They are scared their abuser will come after them. Most abusers will warn their victims that they will do something bad if the victim speaks up. People who are survivors of sexual assault/abuse don’t tend to speak out because they are frequently shamed and ostracized for doing so.
As a community, we need to rally around those who are survivors of both sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse (CSA). While those people may not feel ready to disclose what has happened to them yet, we can still show our support by speaking out against victimization and the burdens placed on these people. We can donate to organizations that help victims, and when we do know someone is a victim, help them to work through the trauma and help them to see the professionals that are necessary.
This April, let’s all try to support survivors in the best way we can.
