What is Sexual Violence?

Fact Sheet

Sexual violence affects women, men and children throughout their lives and can be devastating for individuals, families, and communities. However, help is available. Together, we can change the conditions that contribute to sexual violence.

What is sexual violence? sexual orientations. However, social inequalities can heighten the risk. Sexual violence means that someone forces or manipulates someone else into yyBy age 18, 1 in 4 girls will be sexu- unwanted sexual activity without their ally assaulted; by age 18, 1 in 6 boys consent. Reasons someone might not will be assaulted (Finkelhor, Hotaling, consent include fear, age, illness, disabil- Lewis & Smith, 1990). ity, and/or influence of alcohol or other yyAt some time in their lives, 1 in drugs. Anyone can experience sexual 6 women have experienced an violence including: children, teens, adults, attempted or completed rape; and elders. Those who sexually abuse more than half occurred before the can be acquaintances, family members, woman was 18, and 22% before age trusted individuals or strangers. 12 (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). yyDuring their lives, 1 in 33 men Forms of sexual violence have experienced an attempted or yyRape or sexual assault completed rape; 75% occurred before the men were 18, and 48% before age yyChild sexual assault and incest 12 (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). yyIntimate partner sexual assault FACT: Victims usually know their yyUnwanted sexual contact/touching assaulter. yySexual harassment yyPeople who sexually assault usually yySexual exploitation attack someone they know — a friend, yyShowing one’s genitals or naked classmate, neighbor, coworker, or body to other(s) without consent relative. yyMasturbating in public yyOf adults, 73% knew the attacker, 38% were friends of the attacker, yyWatching someone in a private act 28% were an intimate partner of the without their knowledge or permission attacker, and 7% were a relative of Facts about sexual violence the attacker (Maston & Klaus, 2005). yyChild victims knew the offender FACT: Chances are you know someone before the attack 90% of the time who has been sexually assaulted. (Greenfeld, 1996). yySexual violence affects people of all yyAbout 40% of sexual assaults genders, ages, races, religions, incomes, take place in the victim’s own home. abilities, professions, ethnicities, and Another 20% occur in the home of a

NSVRC • 123 North Enola Drive, Enola, PA 17025 • Toll free: 877-739-3895 • www.nsvrc.org • [email protected] friend, neighbor, or relative (Greenfeld, 1997). y Create policies at your workplace or school FACT: Victims are never at fault for a sexual assault. system to stop sexual violence and help victims y yyIt doesn’t matter what someone is wearing or Coordinate a community event to raise aware- how they are acting, no one asks to be raped. ness about sexual violence or talk with commu- nity members about ways they can get involved yyPeople who sexually assault often use force, y threat, or injury. Talk with your legislators and ask them to support prevention and victim services yyAn absence of injuries to the victim does not FACT: Help is available indicate the victim consented. FACT: Rape is the least reported and convicted yyLocal sexual assault centers can provide help. In crisis situations, contact RAINN at violent crime in the U.S. 1-800-656-4673. For more information, There are many reasons why victims may choose visit http://www.nsvrc.org. not to report to law enforcement or tell anyone about what happened to him/her. Some include: yyConcern for not being believed References yyFear of the attackers getting back at him/her Finkelhor, D., Hotaling, G., Lewis I.A., & Smith, C. (1990). yyEmbarrassment or shame Sexual abuse in a national survey of adult men and women: Prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors. Child Abuse & yyFear of being blamed Neglect, 14, 19-28. y yPressure from others not to tell Greenfeld, L.A. (1996). Child Victimizers: Violent offenders yyDistrust of law enforcement and their victims. (NCJ 153258). Retrieved from Bureau of Justice Statistics: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/ yyBelief that there is not enough evidence CVVOATVX.PDF yyDesire to protect the attacker Greenfeld, L.A. (1997). Sex offenses and offenders: An Many victims who do report a rape or sexual analysis of data on rape and sexual assault (NCJ 163392). assault find that there is no arrest or conviction. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Justice. yyProbability of arrest after a report is 50.8% Maston, C., & Klaus, P. (2005) Criminal Victimization in the (Reynolds, 1999) and the probability of a rapist United States, 2003 statistical tables: National Crime Victimization Survey (NCJ 207811). Retrieved from Bureau being sent to prison is 16.3% (Reynolds, 1999). of Justice Statistics: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/ FACT: Sexual violence is preventable. pdf/cvus03.pdf By working with your community’s sexual assault Reynolds, M.O. (1999). Crime and punishment in America: center, you can: 1999 (Report No. 229). Retrieved from National Center for Policy Analysis: http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/st229.pdf yyModel supportive relationships and behaviors with your friends and families Tjaden, P. and Thoeness, N. (2000). Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women: finding from the yyStand up for victims and believe them National Violence Against Women Survey. Retrieved from yySpeak up when you hear harmful comments or http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/183781.pdf witness violent acts

This document was supported by Cooperative Agreement #1VF1CE001751-01 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. © National Sexual Violence Resource Center 2010. All rights reserved.