Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Sexual Assault: Never The Victim’s Fault

It has been said that a society is ultimately judged by its crimes, and perhaps rape is the crime by which our society will be evaluated. The definition of sexual assault as provided by Brown University is as follows: “Sexual assault is the legal term for rape, and it also encompasses other behaviours beyond forced sexual intercourse. Sexual assault can be any unwanted sexual contact, such as unwanted touching, fondling, or groping of sexual body parts. It can be committed by the use of threats or force or when someone takes advantage of circumstances that render a person incapable of giving consent, such as intoxication.” The statistics regarding sexual assault in the United States are astounding. According to RAINN (the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network – www.rainn.org), a woman is sexually assaulted every two and a half minutes. Further, they claim that one in every six American women is a victim of sexual assault. Finally, they state that 44% of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18. This is clearly an unacceptable state of affairs.

But these numbers are not the ones I want to discuss in this article. Sexual assault is a peculiar crime in that it is a crime which victims are hesitant to prosecute. RAINN suggests that half the sexual assaults committed are never reported to police. This severely restricts the means that our justice system can take action against the perpetrator. One never hears about a convenience store clerk who decides not to prosecute a robber or a victim of a carjacking declining to press charges, but somehow sexual assault seems to be a special crime.

The question on the tips of your tongues, no doubt, is: “Why is sexual assault so underreported?” One of the primary reasons sexual assault is underreported is that victims are afraid they will not be believed. One common response to sexual assault charges is to doubt or blame the victim. Our society has a pervasive belief that women frequently lie about sexual assault. This is a myth. According to the F.B.I., only 5.5% of reported sexual assaults are determined to be unfounded (which includes cases in which the judge found that there was insufficient evidence to convict). Other reasons women give for not reporting sexual assaults include fear of reprisals, desire to avoid an intrusive and uncomfortable rape examination, and the belief that sexual activity is a personal matter.

These reasons reveal a deeper problem – mistrust and mistreatment of women in our society. It is considered valid to argue that if a woman wears a short skirt, she is inviting rape. This is a fallacy however. Do we tell jewellers that they were inviting robbery by displaying their jewels in their store windows? Do we tell victims of car-jacking that they invited a car-jacking by having nice cars? No we do not. All I am asking you is to extend to victims of sexual assault the same courtesy we extend to victims of other crimes.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (henceforth, SAAM). During SAAM I ask that you take a few moments out of your day to consider the plight of women who have been sexually assaulted. If you would like to learn more about sexual assault or are interested in living a violence-free lifestyle, I cordially invite you to join me and the rest of the Safe Space staff at our Take Back The Night Rally on May 4 at 6:00 PM on the courthouse steps. There we can let our voices be heard that violence in all forms is unacceptable and that to better our lives, we should be more peaceful.

Sexual Assault Information

A Few Statistics For Your Consideration


Key Facts
· Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted.
· One in six American women are victims of sexual assault, and one in 33 men.
· In 2004-2005, there were an average annual 200,780 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault.
· About 44% of rape victims are under age 18, and 80% are under age 30.
· Since 1993, rape/sexual assault has fallen by over 69%

What should I do if I am sexually assaulted?
· Find a safe environment - anywhere away from the attacker. Ask a trusted friend to stay with you for moral support or contact your local shelter.
· Preserve evidence of the attack - don't bathe or brush your teeth. Write down all the details you can recall about the attack & the attacker.
· Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, operated by RAINN, for free, confidential counseling, 24 hours a day: 1-800-656-HOPE.
· Get medical attention. Even with no physical injuries, it is important to determine the risks of STDs, unknown injuries and pregnancy.
o To preserve forensic evidence, ask the hospital to conduct a rape kit exam.
o If you suspect you may have been drugged, ask that a urine sample be collected. The sample will need to be analyzed later on by a forensic lab.
o Report the rape to law enforcement authorities. A counselor can provide the information you'll need understand the process.
o Remember it wasn't your fault.
o Recognize that healing from rape takes time. Give yourself the time you need.
o Know that it's never too late to call. Even if the attack happened years ago, the National Sexual Assault Hotline can still help. Many victims do not realize they need help until months or years later.
. What can I do to reduce my risk of sexual assault?
· Don't leave your beverage unattended or accept a drink from an open container.
· When you go to a party, go with a group of friends. Arrive together, watch out for each other, and leave together.
· Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
· Don't allow yourself to be isolated with someone you don't know or trust.
· Think about the level of intimacy you want in a relationship, and clearly state your limits.
. How can I help a friend who has been sexually assaulted?
· Listen. Be there. Don't be judgmental.
· Encourage your friend to seriously consider reporting the rape to law enforcement authorities. A counselor can provide the information your friend will need to make this decision.
· Be patient. Remember, it will take your friend some time to deal with the crime.
· Let your friend know that professional help is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
· Encourage him or her to call the hotline, but realize that only your friend can make the decision to get help.

A History of Take Back the Night

A History of Take Back the Night (from www.takebackthenight.org)

Take Back the Night’s roots may lie in 1877 when women protested the fear and violence they experienced in the night-time streets of London, England. Others believe that the first rally occurred in 1976 when women attending the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women lit candles and took to the moonlit streets of Belgium to denounce the continuation of violence against women. While the origins of Take Back the Night may be disputed, its impact is undeniable. Since its inception, thousands of marches and rallies bearing the name Take Back the Night have taken place worldwide. The hope of Take Back the Night made its way stateside in 1978 when protesters in San Francisco invoked the slogan following an anti-pornography conference. On that night, those who had been adversely affected by pornography openly shared their stories with those who had gathered. Today, survivor speak outs are an inseparable part of Take Back the Night. Most present-day rallies offer survivors of violence an opportunity to give voice to their experiences and publicly affirm their transition from victim to survivor.

Common components of Take Back the Night rallies include candlelight vigils, empowerment marches, and survivor testimonials. The goals and specific features of a TBTN rally are just as varied as its vast array of supporters. Throughout its history, Take Back the Night has inspired both women and men to confront a myriad of social ills, including rape, sexual violence, domestic violence, violence against children, and violence against women. The unifying theme throughout these diverse topics is the assertion that all human beings have the right to be free from violence, the right to be heard, and the right to reclaim those rights if they are violated.

Donations and Contributions

Safe Space would like to thank the following individuals, businesses and organizations who donated financially and materially to Safe Space and Suited for Success between 01/01/2007 and 04/01/2007.

4-H Club
Irene Boyle
Mary Brandl
Jody Bickford
Sally Bridges
Helen Brown
Seila Burton
Connie Everly
Alana Ferki
Tori Hafer
Carol Heim
Michelle Held-Hoffman
Bernita Hoellein
James and Denise Holman
Lori Huff
Tricia Gallagher
Geoff Gallus
Sella Galvan
Evelyn Graham
Glen Granger
Joanne Greene
JC Penny Salon
Frank Juarez
Marie Kadillak
Ann Killoy
Pamela King
Mary Larkin
Holly Martell
Margaret Martell
Tim McCarthy
Kathy Morris
Geri Mihelich
Jean Mulcahy
Jessica Munson
Brad Newman
Mary North-Abbot
Amelinda Olson
Kelly Parina
Debbie Petersen
Patti Ratfish
Linda Rogers
Kathy Schelin
Catherine Shea
Michelle Sullivan
Eloise Sunberg
Sheryl Tremis
Stephen and Trudy Tomazich
Darlene Welsh
Brian Wolter
John Young
Jan Zimmerman


Donations
Donations can be dropped off at Curves for Women at 1001 Front St. If you are unable to drop off your donations at Curves, give us a call at 782-8511 and a Safe Space Advocate will arrange a time to come pick the donations up. Please remember to include your name and address with your donations so that we can send you a receipt.