Last week the Bureau of Justice Statistics released
the report Female Victims of Sexual Violence 1994-2000.
The most salient point is a decline in sexual assault rates reported. Over that
15 year period, the rate of females age 12 and over who are sexually assaulted decreased
58%, from 5 victims per 1,000 to 2.1 victims per 1,000 annually. We’re heading
in the right direction, but we shouldn’t rest until there are NO MORE.
Another very important point is that 78% of sexual
violence involved an offender who was known to the victim—a family members,
partner, friend or acquaintance. For
many of us, the visual image of a rapist is the masked man jumping out of the
bushes. Women typically (and wisely!) take
extra precautions when walking alone or in unfamiliar surroundings. However, they often feel safe from harm when
in the company of people they know even casually.
That stereotyped
image of the dangerous stranger, engenders a false sense of security. We feel
safe on our home turf, with people we know. In fact, according to RAINN, half of
all reportedsexual assaults occurred within 1 mile of their home
or at their home-- 4 in 10 take place in their home and 2 in 10 at
the home of a friend, neighbor, or relative.
So does that mean women should live in a constant state
of high alert? No. But having the
information that sexual predators are most frequently someone you know, is an
important reminder to practice basic safety routinely. Be aware of your
surroundings. Know that excessive alcohol or drug use could impair your judgment
and make you more vulnerable to predators. And most importantly, if a situation
feels uncomfortable, trust your gut.
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