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Fostering awareness and prevention of sexual assault
Show your support for survivors this Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
Trigger warning: This post contains sensitive content related to sexual assault.
The experience of sexual assault reaches those all around us — our family members, friends, colleagues, and others. According to the White House, millions of Americans experience sexual assault and the trauma that results from the crime. The prevalence of cases is why April serves as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
All can support survivors of sexual assault this month by building a deeper understanding of cases occurring nationwide and taking action to foster sexual assault prevention.
Defining sexual assault
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognize sexual assault as sexual violence. The centers state that sexual assault “involves a lack of freely given consent as well as situations in which the victim is unable to consent or refuse.”
The National Institute of Justice adds that sexual assault “covers a wide range of unwanted behaviors—up to but not including penetration—that … may involve actual or threatened physical force, use of weapons, coercion, intimidation, or pressure.”
The specific acts of sexual assault they name include:
- Intentional touching of the victim’s genitals, anus, groin or breasts.
- Voyeurism.
- Exposure to exhibitionism.
- Undesired exposure to pornography.
- Public display of images taken in a private context or when the victim was unaware.
Examining the occurrences nationwide
Experiences of sexual assault, among other forms of sexual violence, affect all ages of women and men. In their 2022 report, the CDC shares that as many as 47% of U.S. women surveyed and 23% of U.S. men surveyed reported having experienced unwanted sexual contact at some point in their lifetime. These percentages translate to more than 59 million women and 27 million men nationwide.
The same study found among women surveyed that “more than half (59.9%) of female victims of unwanted sexual contact reported that their perpetrator was an acquaintance followed by 1 in 5 (22.9%) who reported a family member, 1 in 5 (22.4%) a stranger, nearly 1 in 6 (16.8%) an intimate partner, nearly 1 in 9 (11.7%) a brief encounter, and 1 in 11 (9.4%) a person of authority.” These findings show that sexual assault can occur in all areas of life.
In comparison, more “than 1 in 2 (62.4%) male victims of unwanted sexual contact reported that their perpetrator was an acquaintance followed by 1 in 5 (21.9%) reporting a stranger, 1 in 9 (11.1%) a brief encounter, 1 in 11 (9.2%) an intimate partner, 1 in 12 (8.3%) a family member, and 1 in 14 (7.2%) a person of authority.” Exposure to sexual assault comes from many different sources across communities. To protect against the crime, all must recognize that sexual assault can happen with any relation.
What to understand about the impact of sexual assault
Sexual assault alters the lives of all who experience the crime. The experience can affect survivors emotionally, physically and psychologically.
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network names the following effects, among others:
- Panic attacks.
- Sleep disorders.
- Flashbacks.
- Depression.
Further consequences of sexual violence shared by the CDC include:
- Bruising and genital injuries.
- Sexually transmitted infections.
- Pregnancy.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Re-occurring reproductive, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and sexual health problems and more.
These effects can have immediate consequences in survivors’ lives. Yet they also create long-term concerns for survivors’ well-being. Survivors are more likely to abuse substances and engage in risky sexual behavior, as well as experience diminished performance and an inability to work that impact their employment. To overcome the often debilitating consequences of sexual assault, fostering prevention becomes crucial. All community members can experience a greater quality of life through preventive action.
How you can channel knowledge into preventive action
There are many ways you can show support for sexual assault awareness and prevention. Some critical efforts happening this month to join include:
- The NSVRC’s “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.” The campaign involves virtual and in-person events nationwide, an Instagram challenge and more.
- RAINN’s #HEALTogether. The associated resources include education on being trauma-informed and advocacy through RAINN Day and Denim Day, among other tools.
- The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Program’s calendar of events. These events include webinars, youth contests and further activities connected to the theme of sexual assault awareness and prevention.
Efforts for preventing sexual assault must continue year-round. All can be a part of implementing the CDC’s STOP SV prevention strategies, RAINN’s safety and prevention guidance and related efforts occurring nationwide.
If seeking immediate help with a case of sexual assault, please contact 911. Further support is available from RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline, which offers services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.