That is why it is so important that each of us be an everyday advocate by Believing, Supporting and Advocating for victims. It is those three attributes – believing, supporting, and advocating that can make …
Breaking the Silence: Advocating for Sexual Assault Awareness
Silence is not always golden, especially when the reason someone is silent is that they were sexually assaulted.
Too often, sexual assault victims fear not being believed which leads them to keeping the secret of their assault to themselves. Sexual assault is an intimate crime where most times the victim knows the perpetrator.
In fact, in 8 out of 10 cases of rape, the victim knew the person who sexually assaulted them, according to the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking. (ICESAHT) Unfortunately, still too often people question a victim who states they have been raped if it was not a stranger who committed the act of violence.
That is why during the month of April, nationally and locally, emphasis is placed on Sexual Assault Awareness. It is essential that society, break the silence of sexual violence.
It can be uncomfortable to talk about sex, yet, what is critical to realize is sex has nothing to do with someone who has been sexually assaulted. Rape is an act of power and a crime. It has nothing to do with sex which in a loving relationship is one way to show affection to your partner.
In a loving relationship there is clear communication about just what both people are ready to engage in, whether that be kissing, hugging or intercourse. Consent is at the forefront of the relationship and ‘no’ or’ not now’ are acceptable responses.
When boundaries are crossed and consent is not given, the result is devastating and damaging. For a victim, depending upon how they believe they will be perceived, the result is likely to be a long, lonely journey to recovery.
Sexual violence can have psychological, emotional, and physical effects on a survivor. It is not uncommon for a victim to wait months or years before they disclose what happened to them, only after suffering depression, anxiety, or physical ailments.
That is why it is so important that each of us be an everyday advocate by Believing, Supporting and Advocating for victims. It is those three attributes – believing, supporting, and advocating that can make such a difference in transforming a victim into a survivor.
I encourage you to wear Teal every Tuesday in April and Denim on April 29 and post it on social media and tag Hands of Hope, so others can see that you won’t let victims of sexual violence suffer in silence.
