 |
Women and Girls |
| |
|
| |
Sexual Violence |
| |
|
| |
What is Sexual violence? |
| |
|
| |
Sexual violence violates a person’s trust and feeling of safety. It occurs any time a person is forced, coerced, and/or manipulated into unwanted sexual activity. The continuum of sexual violence includes rape, incest, child sexual assault, ritual abuse, date and acquaintance rape, statutory rape, marital or partner rape, sexual exploitation, sexual contact, sexual harassment, exposure, and voyeurism. |
| |
|
| |
Who is at Risk for Sexual Violence? |
| |
|
| |
You are! Sexual violence can happen to anyone—regardless of gender, race, age, socio-economic status, or religion. It is generally believed that 1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Sexual violence can occur at any time and be perpetrated by anybody. It is a common misconception that most sexual assaults are committed by stranger. You are more likely to be sexually assaulted by someone you know—a friend, date, classmate, neighbor, relative- thank by a stranger in a dark alley. |
| |
|
| |
Rape is a crime. It is motivated by a need to control, humiliate, and harm, it is not motivated by sexual desire. Rapists use sex as a weapon to dominate others. Rape is never the victim’s fault! Because of gender stereotypes and rape myths in our society, it is common to blame the victim—for dressing suggestively, having too much to drink, taking a walk alone, inviting someone into her/his bedroom. However, no matter when, where, or how it happened, sexual violence is not the victims fault. Bad judgment is never rape-able offense. |
| |
|
|
|
