April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). As a survivor of sexual assault and polyvictimization, bringing this issue out of the shadows is especially important to me. It is often silence that allows this conduct to continue. We won’t necessarily deter all perpetrators by publicizing and punishing their crimes, but we might be able to deter those who will consider the rights of victims.
If it’s true that hurt people hurt people, raising awareness might give victims greater access to healing so they don’t become perpetrators. It might also reduce the suicide and other self-harm rates among sexual assault victims. This is not, as Basketball Coach Bobby Knight once said, something we should just lie back and enjoy. His attitude still disgusts me and remains prevalent in some circles.
This is a problem we can all participate in solving. Developing a lasting solution begins with understanding the problem.
Sexual Assault Myths
Here are three sexual assault myths we still need to debunk:
- It’s about sex. Sexual assault is more about controlling the victim than the sexual act. Perpetrators often objectify and dehumanize their targets. Focusing on their own needs for higher self-image rather than another human’s rights to bodily autonomy, they seize the victim’s power through sex.
- Victims who didn’t fight back or hard enough must have wanted it. This myth ignores the natural human response of freezing, for example.
- A lot of victims lie. (versus 2-8% of those who report sexual assault and the huge number of unreported cases).
Challenge your biases by learning more about sexual assault on the National Sexual Assault Victims Resource Center website.
Who Are the Perpetrators?
According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), only 310 of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police. That means there is a lot we still don’t know about 69% of sexual assaults.
Based on the reported cases, we believe:
- 50% of perpetrators are 30 years old or older
- 57% are white
- 27% are Black
- The balance are of unknown, mixed, or other race(s)
As an employer, you have to strike a delicate balance when developing awareness campaigns and support services. It helps to know the statistics. You must be careful not to discriminate unlawfully.
Who Are the Victims?
According to RAINN, an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. By the time you finish reading this post, approximately six more will have become victims.
It’s not a matter of whether one of your employees will be sexually assaulted, it’s how many of them have been or will be.
Who is at the greatest risk of sexual assault?
- 54% of people aged 18 to 34
- 1 in 6 women
- 42% of people who identify as LGBTQIA+
- 41% of indigenous women
- 24% of people who identify as mixed race
- 19% of Black people
- 18% of white people
Alarmingly, 79% of sexual assault victims know their assailants. I knew each of mine. Statistically speaking, it’s possible that your workforce contains a victim and a perpetrator. You would be wise to learn more about sexual assault and SAAM.