Preventing Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is an experience that can leave lasting and painful physical, emotional and psychological effects. It may have a significant impact on someone’s sense of safety in the world and their ability to participate in activities they value, such as going out alone at night or riding public transportation. It can also have a devastating financial impact, resulting in lost wages, medical and legal costs and a loss of quality of life.

Sexual assault is defined as any type of non-consensual sexual contact or penetration. It can involve touching of the genitals, breasts or bottom or any other part of the body, including through clothing. Perpetrators often use force to coerce victims into having non-consensual sex. Force can be physical, emotional or both and it can come from people who are known to the victim, such as acquaintance rape, friends and intimate partners and also from strangers. It can also include the use of drugs to control the victim or a sexual assault that occurs over time, such as a prolonged relationship or a long-term abusive pattern of behavior.

When a person experiences sexual violence, their reactions vary and they can be overwhelmed by shock, fear, shame or apathy. They might feel like it was their own fault for what happened to them and blame themselves. This is especially common when it happens to women, girls and gender-diverse people. It’s important to remember that no one deserves sexual violence and it is never the victim’s fault, no matter how they were dressed, whether they drank alcohol or took drugs or what they were doing at the time of the attack.

The majority of perpetrators in sexual violence incidents are someone the victim knows, such as a friend or acquaintance. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), about eight out of 10 rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. People who know their victims are more likely to use force and pressure, especially if they believe the victim won’t fight back. It’s also easier for perpetrators to disguise their actions.

There are a number of ways that everyone can help to prevent sexual violence. Promote safe behaviors and healthy relationships, intervene to stop disrespectful or problematic behavior and support survivors and their recovery. The best way to prevent sexual assault is to make it harder for people to get away with it by keeping them out of dangerous settings, educating communities on the dangers of violence against all members of society and changing policies in schools, workplaces, neighborhoods and local governments that send the message that this type of violence is acceptable.

Individuals can also play a role in prevention by learning the warning signs of sexual assault and by staying alert, especially when they are out and about. It is important to always trust your instinct and if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. You can also take precautions such as not putting yourself in situations where you have to depend on others for housing or income, not taking strangers at face value and staying in charge of your own life.