Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a month dedicated in April to raise awareness and educate about sexual assault and its stigma and to honor survivors.
What is Sexual Assault?
Force does not just mean physical force, it includes manipulation, coercion, threats, and situations where person is unable to give consent
Some Statistics:
1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men report experiencing an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime
Women in college are 3x more likely to be victims of sexual assault than women in general
1 in 2 transgender people are victims
Native americans are 2x as likely to be victims compared to other races
Impact on Mental Health:
Has a variety of short and long term effects
Many survivors report flashbacks
Many report feelings of shame, shock, confusion, and guilt
People who are victims of rape/sexual assault are at increased risk for developing:
Depression
PTSD
Substance Use Disorders
Eating Disorders
Anxiety
It is important for these victims to seek help and guidance on how to deal with these feelings and trauma. Seeking therapy or reaching out to hotlines such as RAINN 1.800.656.4673 is always an option.
If you are a victim of sexual assault or abuse, you are not alone.
