The Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
campaign sheds light on the harrowing
statistics surrounding sexual violence and
provides education on the topic as well as
resources and support for survivors. The
campaign's history
dates to the early 1970s
when activists organized national
movements to reduce sexual assault and
violence against women. Though sexual
assault affects people of all genders, women
are harmed at disproportionate rates.
According to data collected from the Rape,
Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), 1
in 6 American women are a victim of
attempted or completed rape in her lifetime
compared to 1 in 33 American men. One
point the SAAM campaign has consistently
raised is how factors like gender and consent
play a role in how we discuss and navigate
instances of sexual assault.
Understanding the Numbers
While RAINN aims to reflect the most reliable and up to
date statistics for each topic, it's crucial to understand that
sexual assault statistics are hard to measure.
Many sexual
assault survivors choose not to report for a variety of
reasons. They may not immediately recognize the instance
as assault or may not feel comfortable speaking up,
especially if they feel they may not have support. Many also
fear that any retaliation from their assaulter, peers, or the
public is not worth the slim-to-none chance of receiving
justice. Data from RAIIN shows out of every 1000 sexual
assaults, 995 perpetrators will walk free; compared to
robberies, assaults, and battery crimes, sexual assault
perpetrators are less likely to go to jail or prison.
Survivors may choose not to pursue legal action simply
because gathering substantial DNA evidence can include
completing a rape kit which is a problematic and invasive
process, especially immediately following a traumatic
incident. Many instances of sexual assault can't be
determined by a kit and may be even harder to prove,
further justifying survivors' logic that speaking up may not
be in their best interest. It's also important to understand
that our current justice system continues cycles of abuse:
though the amount of sexual violence happening against
prisoners is knowingly staggering, little is being done. While
a jail sentence may seem like justice, it is only furthering
the problem, not solving it.
Misconceptions surrounding sexual assault have created a
rape culture that perpetuates gendered harassment and
abuse and shames survivors out of coming forward. By
understanding the prevalent patterns in sexual assault
cases, we can collectively better spot warning signs of
potential harm and intervene or offer support proactively.
The annual SAAM campaign is necessary to understanding
what sexual assault is, why it happens, and what role each
of us play in creating a safer place for everyone with a focus
on those who need it most now.
What is Sexual Assault?
In popular media, sexual assault is frequently depicted as a
violent, lust-driven attack usually committed by a stranger
in a dangerous environment. However, in 8 out of 10 sexual
assaults, the assaulter is someone known to the victim such
as family, romantic partners, or social acquaintances. It also
isn't necessarily violent – determining whether sexual
assault occurred relies on the consent of those involved.
When the attacker is someone we know, trust, or even love,
the lines of consent can be blurred, making it easy to fall
victim to assault and especially to be confused about or not
fully recognize what happened.
Sexual assault is defined
as sexual contact or behavior that
occurs without explicit consent of the victim and can include
attempted rape or rape, fondling or unwanted sexual
touching, and forcing someone to perform sexual acts. An
important distinction RAINN makes is that "force" does not
always refer to physical pressure, but can also include
emotional coercion, psychological force, manipulation, and
intimidation.
Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in
sexual activity; it must be given freely, verbally, and
consistently. Enthusiastic consent, the newest
understanding, looks for the presence of "yes" rather than
the absence of "no." Consent cannot be given by individuals
who are underage, incapacitated by drugs or alcohol,
asleep, unconscious, under pressure of intimidation or
coercion, or in an unequal power dynamic such as an
employee or student.
Sexual assault is driven by a want for power and control
and is typically committed by someone in a position of
authority. This imbalanced power dynamic helps explain
child/domestic assault, assault by a supervisor at school,
work, a religious institution, the military, jail/prison, or
elsewhere, and people who are abused while sleeping. It
also emphasizes the intersection of power dynamics and
identity within hate crimes such as assaults against disabled
people.
Changing the Online – and Offline –
Discourse
Depictions of and discourse surrounding sexual assault are
extremely harmful to our collective understanding of the
issue. Male minors are considered "lucky"
to be assaulted
by female teachers, jokes about sexual assault in prison are
culturally accepted, and women victims are frequently
blamed for their attacks. Failing to take assault seriously or
suggesting it can be prevented ignores the root of the
problem. Victim blaming women for their assault, such as
suggesting they "asked for it" by wearing provocative
clothing, insinuates that assault is caused by attraction or
lust. Understanding that sexual assault is instead driven by
power and control helps us better understand the patterns
of sexual violence. Harmful discourse surrounding sexual
assault, especially comments blaming, negating, or making
light of a victim's experience, silences survivors and
empowers attackers to feel justified.
Instead of treating each instance of sexual assault in a
vacuum, we need to collectively recognize that there are
telltale patterns. Instead of debating what victims could
have done to prevent their assault, we need to acknowledge
that we can all take proactive measures to make the world
safer for everyone. Assault is never the fault of the victim
and anyone can be affected. It's necessary to not only
understand how sexual assault can appear in our own
relationships, families, schools, workplaces, and social
circles but also to teach and respect consent early on.
The theme of SAAM this year is creating a safe space
online. By shifting our online – and offline – discourse
surrounding sexual assault, we can better work towards
true harm reduction for everyone. Join the discussion this
April by participating in SAAM's #30DaysOfSAAM Instagram
challenge. SAAM offers an array of educational and support
resources for survivors and those wanting to learn more.
Any survivors of sexual assault or those who may have
been and are seeking answers and judgment-free support
are encouraged to call the National Sexual Assault hotline at
1.800.656.4673 or chat with someone here.
PAGE 15 April Issue 2021
