April 16, 2022
By Vanessa Guevara
Staff Writer
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which recognizes the dangers and effects of nonconsensual sexual activity. Some think sexual assault can only happen in person, but that is not the case. It can also happen through social media or online. Non-consensual sexting and posting or sharing sexual pictures without someone’s consent is another form of sexual assault.
Consent is an important term that is critical to this issue. When one gives consent, they allow the other person permission to move forward. Whether it’s sending pictures back and forth, posting sexual pictures or having sexual intercourse, consent is needed.
Sexual assault affects all genders and age groups. More than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced sexual assault involving physical contact during their lifetimes. One in 3 female rape victims experienced rape for the first time between 11-17 years old, and nearly 1 in 4 male rape victims also experienced rape for the first time between the ages of 11-17.
Sexual violence on college campuses is pervasive as well. Among undergraduate students, 26.4% of females and 6.8% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation. A 2019 survey of 181,752 students at 33 universities across the country found that 25.9% of undergraduate girls had experienced “nonconsensual penetration.”
Sexual assault can lead to a variety of mental and physical health problems. After being sexually assaulted, there is a chance of physical issues, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Victims could also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as well as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and sexual health problems. Victims may have difficulty maintaining personal relationships, returning to work or school and regaining a sense of normalcy.
A national survey from the nonprofit Stop Street Harassment revealed that the most common places for a person to be sexually assaulted is in public spaces such as a club, movie theater, pool, street or store.The second most common place a person is sexually assaulted is in their residence or private home.
Many times when a person is sexually assaulted, it is by someone they know or have met before. It could be a best friend, boyfriend, brother, father, girlfriend, sister, uncle or someone you could have just met at a party. It is very important to make sure you know who you surround yourself with and what information you give that person. Even if it’s someone you trust or know well, it is still necessary to be alert and careful.
Unfortunately, rape culture is pervasive. Rape culture is a culture where sexual assault and rape are excused and normalized in the media.
Unfortunately, rape culture is pervasive. Rape culture is a culture where sexual assault and rape are excused and normalized in the media. Rape culture can go from making sexually explicit jokes, defining “manhood” as dominant and sexually aggressive, defining “womanhood” as submissive and sexually passive, assuming that men don’t get raped or that only “weak” men get raped and refusing to take rape accusations seriously. Rape culture is evident through the use of misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies and the glamorization of sexual violence.
Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. One reason some people may blame a victim is to distance themselves from an unpleasant occurrence and thereby confirm their invulnerability to the risk. When a person is sexually assaulted, it is not because of who they are or something they have done. Someone has chosen to hurt them and behave badly towards them, but it is not a reflection of the victim’s actions, character or values.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, do not hesitate to seek out resources by getting medical care and talking to the police. There is also help available 24-7 at the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which can be reached by dialing 1-800-656-4673. Those impacted by sexual assault should know they are never alone, and the help they want and deserve is available.
