Post by Moses on Apr 22, 2005 22:05:31 GMT -5
<br>April 22, 2005
Sexual violence statistics
By DEBORAH RATCLIFF
SPECIAL TO THE PVT
Sexual violence is primarily a crime of power and control. It can impact all people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race or economic status. It can happen in a dating relationship and even a marriage. Although younger women represent the majority of victims, not all young women are at equal risk for sexual violence. Additionally, there are other populations with high rates of sexual victimization such as American Indians, immigrants and the elderly that are often voiceless in society and marginalized from medical, legal, and social services. Did you know that:
•In eight out of 10 rape cases, the victim knew the perpetrator.
•Nearly one in four women may experience sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
•The cost of rape and sexual assault, excluding child sexual assault, per criminal victimization is $87,000 per year. For the victim, the average rape or attempted rape costs $5,100 in tangible, out of pocket expenses.
•One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually assaulted by the age of 18.
•Many long-lasting physical symptoms and illnesses have been associated with sexual victimization including chronic pelvic pain; premenstrual syndrome; gastrointestinal disorders; and a variety of chronic pain disorders including headaches, back pain, and facial pain.
•Rape victims are more likely than non-victims to smoke cigarettes, overeat, drink alcohol, and are not likely to use seatbelts.
•In a study of elderly female sexual abuse victims, 81 percent of the abuse was perpetrated by the victim's primary caregiver and 78 percent by family members, of which 39 percent were sons.
•Of adult American women who are raped, 31.5 percent are physically injured, but only 35.6 percent of those receive medical care.
•Each year it is estimated 25,000 American women will become pregnant following an act of sexual violence. As many as 22,000 of those pregnancies could be prevented through the prompt use of emergency contraception.
•There is at least a 50 percent likelihood that a woman will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being raped.
Sexual assault is also closely associated with depression and anxiety disorders.
•Statistics provided by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
Did you know that I still to this day experience some of what you've just read? It's not something a woman or a man or a child ever forgets or gets over. It will always be a part of my life.
But good can come of it. I took my rape and transformed it into a teaching tool. Now I teach others how to be as safe as possible. I teach others what to do if they are raped. I teach others what not to do if they are raped. I teach others that it doesn't only happen to little girls and women, it happens to little boys and men, too. And one last thing, I teach that all people can help to put a stop to this insidious crime. Whether you're a girl or boy, a woman or man, you can reach out to others and help.
If you or anyone you know has been sexually assaulted, abused, or raped, please contact the Nye County Sheriff's Office and report it. You can also call No To Abuse (NTA) and we will help you in your journey to recovery. I sincerely hope that this article helps someone out in our community.
Editor's note: You can contact No To Abuse at 751-1118. The Nye County Sheriff's Office can be contacted at 751-7000 for non-emergencies. Otherwise dial 911.
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<br>Find this article at:
www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2005/04/22/news/rapestats.html
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