RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT AS A CRITICAL

HEALTH ISSUE  

May 2008

April marked the national observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) now in its seventh year. This year's theme focused on preventing sexual assault in the workplace though the issue is far reaching and relevant in the most intimate of settings including our homes, our schools, and places of worship. And while April has passed, our attention need not be limited to one month. In fact, this issue deserves our undivided attention now more than ever as a critical health issue in our communities impacting Black women and children of both genders at alarming rates.

The story of author Stephanie Jones, featured in this issue, of Lilada Gee, our first featured author (I Can't Live Like This Anymore), and of author Arlether Wilson who we will feature in the coming weeks (Rewriting the Script) are just three snapshots of the many individuals whose lives have been impacted by sexual abuse. They are not alone.

Sexual assault is defined as any sexual activity involving a person who does not or cannot consent. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, "sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention."  This includes but may not be limited to the following:

  * rape
  * unwanted sexual contact (touching or grabbing)
  * unwelcome exposure of another's body, exhibitionism, or voyeurism
  * child sexual abuse
  * incest or molestation
  * sexual harassment
  * sexual exploitation of clients by therapists, doctors, dentists, or other professionals

Sexual assault is considered an act of power and often involves violence or the threat of violence. In the case of child sexual assault, the perpetrator's size and age are often used to intimidate and manipulate victims into compliance. It is important to remember that anyone can be a victim of sexual assault regardless of age, race/ethnicity, income, gender, or sexual orientation.

There were an estimated 272,350 reported sexual assaults in 2006 alone but this number increases dramatically when unreported assaults are accounted for. Women and children continue to be the most likely victims, though sexual abuse of boys and men is a very real threat. Perpetrators are primarily though not exclusively male.

A few important statistics:

• In 2005, more than a third (36%) of all sexual assault occurred at or in a victim's home.
• Of female sexual assault victims, 73% were assaulted by someone they knew.
• Ninety-two percent of rape or sexual assault victims in 2005 were female.
• In 2005, 38.3% of all rapes and sexual assaults were reported to law enforcement.) (meaning 61.7% went unreported)
• Of the women who knew the offender, 38% were friends or acquaintances of the rapist and 28% were intimate partners.
• Girls age 16-19 are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault.

Victims of sexual assault are:

• 3 times more likely to suffer from depression
• 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders
• 14 times more likely to abuse alcohol
• 26 more times likely to abuse drugs
• 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide

The emotional scars of sexual assault and abuse run deep, as does the risk of unwanted pregnancy and the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS.

African Americans & Sexual Abuse

According to Robin Wise, a sexual abuse survivor and author of No Secrets No Lies: How Black Families Can Heal From Sexual Abuse, African American victims of sexual violence are less likely to seek the help they need to deal with the abuse; and Black women are less likely than their counterparts of other ethnicities to report the abuse. The reasons are many and include fear of betraying black men and other loved ones, distrust of police and courts, cultural expectations to be strong and subsequent reluctance to get counseling; and fear of further negative stereotyping and judgment of black sexuality.

A report by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Action Alliance corroborates these assertions finding that for every Black woman who reports her rape, at least 15 Black women do not report theirs. Likewise, data from the Black Womens Health Imperative states that 40% of Black women report coercive contact of a sexual nature by the age of 18. Attitudes about race on behalf of service providers, law enforcement, and medical staff can further impede Black women and girls' access to the services and support needed to recover from sexual assault.

Whatever the particulars, and whoever the victim, male or female, one fact is clear; sexual assault is not the fault of the victim. Help is available, healing is possible, and we all must play a role in bringing the healing about. Lori Robinson, author of I Will Survive: The African-American Guide to Healing from Sexual Assault and Abuse says it best, "sexual violence is not a women vs. men issue; it is a matter of keeping our entire community healthy, safe and whole. Ordinary women and men are making great strides in the struggle against sexual violence every day".

Recommended Reading for Healing from Sexual Assault

Also see:

I Am Because We Are (a blog committed to ending sexual violence)

How To Reduce Your Risk of Sexual Assault

How to Protect Your Child From Sexual Assault

HELP FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1.800.656.HOPE

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.SAFE

http://www.ndvh.org/

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

http://www.nsvrc.org

How to Support A Survivor of Sexual Assault Tip Sheet

by Men Can Stop Rape

http://www.mencanstoprape.org/usr_doc/Supporting_Survivors.pdf

A Long Walk Home: Healing Resources

http://www.alongwalkhome.org/

If you are in immediate danger, call 911!

References: Wisconsin Coalition of Sexual Assault, Pandora's Aquarium,

Virginia Sexual and Domestic Action Alliance, RAINN.org,

California Newsreel

COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE