The Bureau of Justice Statistics defines Rape as: unwanted/forced vaginal, oral or anal penetration including with a foreign object. “Force” includes physical force, threatened force and psychological coercion. Sexual Assault is defined as: “a wide range of victimizations, separate from rape or attempted rape. These crimes include attacks or attempted attacks generally involving unwanted sexual contact... Sexual assault may or may not involve force and includes grabbing or fondling.” (1)

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According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (2010),

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1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men

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reported having been victim to an attempted or completed rape in her/his lifetime (approximately 22 million women and 1.6 million men) (2). Men are less likely than women to report rape.

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1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men

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have experienced sexual assault other than rape at some point in his/her life (approximately 53 million women and 25 million men). In most cases the perpetrator is someone that the survivor knows. Sexual violence is known to have a negative impact on the physical and mental health of the survivor. (3)

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Sexual assault has devastating and horrific consequences for the survivor including, but certainly not limited to: increased risk for mental illness (specifically depression, anxiety and PTSD), increased likelihood to develop a substance use disorder, poor physical health, contraction of an STD from the assault, loss of identity, interpersonal problems and deep emotional impacts.

Stigma and shame surrounding sexual violence has bred a deadly silence. We cannot afford to remain silent about this issue. In the USA we have created a culture that blames the survivor and normalizes the actions of the offender. Our media, jokes and gender norms perpetuate this violence. It has become “okay” to make a rape joke, but not “okay” to talk openly about the reality of rape. Song lyrics glorify objectification, condone stalking, and invalidate consent. Gender norms and media tell women that her value lies within her sexuality and men’s value lies within his ability to obtain that female sexuality.

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We can all stand up against sexual violence by not adhering to these societal norms that perpetuate the problem.

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I believe that it is time that we dissolve the silence and open the dialogue on this issue. The devastating reality of sexual violence needs to be brought to the surface in hopes that, as a society, we will shift our culture to one that stands up against rape and sexual assault. Below, in the blog post sections, you will find real expressions from real people who have experienced rape and its devastating impacts.

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** If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted and are looking for support please call the number below for support services:

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1-800-656-HOPE (4673)