Understanding sexual assault

Did you know that, according The National Sexual Violence Resource Center, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted every two minutes?

April is sexual assault awareness month. It was created as a way to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.

According to the United States Department of Defense, since 2006, there has been a 64 percent increase in reported sexual assaults nationwide. This information was released following the Steubenville, Ohio rape case in which two high school football players were tried and convicted in March for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. The two football players were convicted of rape and sentenced to at least one year in a juvenile detention center.

Many people, such as the teens at the center of the Ohio case, seem to have a limited idea of sexual assault. They imagine a dangerous stranger lurking in the dark waiting to commit rape, when, in reality, sexual assault encompasses so much more.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines sexual assault as non -consensual attempted rape or sexual contact, and can include non-contact acts like verbal sexual harassment.  In the case of the Steubenville trail, the two teenagers never initiated sexual penetration but were still convicted of rape. The victim also knew the teenagers but because of the under aged drinking involved, the victim was not conscious and unable to give consent.

According to the National Institute of Justice, 80 to 90 percent of sexual assaults on college campuses are committed by perpetrators who know their victims. The U.S. Justice Department also found that 60 percent of completed rapes that occur on college campuses take place in the victim’s residence, while 31 percent occur in other living spaces.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center estimates that about 63 percent of sexual assault cases go unreported. Victims often worry that they will not be believed by authorities or that the assault was not serious enough to report.

Laura Palumbo, prevention campaign specialist for the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, said that there are a number of reasons someone may find it difficult to report their sexual assault case.

“The initial experience of trauma may be a challenge in itself to overcome. Our society often blames victims so there is a lot of fear on whether or not there would be appropriate support,” said Palumbo.

Other cases go unreported because the victim knows his or her assaulter or because he or she worries that the assaulter may take revenge.

“Pretty often, people are familiar with or have a connection with the person who assaulted them. It may be someone in their family or friend circle so it is not always as a black or white decision on whether or not someone feels they could report their case,” said Palumbo.

According to ABC news, police in the Steubenville case also interviewed many teenagers who witnessed the sexual assault acts. It leads to the question of why did these teenagers stand by and watch the victim being sexually assaulted rather than calling for help.

“Stuebenville is a great example where there was a lot of opportunity for bystanders to get involved and no one did the right thing,” said Palumbo.

The case also grabbed a lot of attention for the huge role that social media played. ABC news reported that there may not have been a trail or a conviction without so much evidence in the form of shared texts, photos and videos.

Sexual assault is something that affects people across the world that is why it is important to be accurately informed. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network advise certain tactics for reducing the risk of sexual abuse.  Avoid dangerous situations and always be aware of your surroundings. If a situation or location feels uncomfortable, than it is probably is not the best place to be.

“The main thing for folks to know is that it is never their fault and the victim is never to blame,” said Palumbo.

Debra Goldman, director of Henderson Student Counseling Services said, “If someone finds themselves in this situation, then they should always talk to someone they trust. The worst thing they can do is keep something to themselves that can make them uncomfortable.”

If anyone has been a victim of sexual assault or knows of anyone that has and are looking for someone to talk to, please refer to the NSU’s campus resources below.

Campus Resources

The NSU Office of Public Safety

• Available  24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergency or non-emergency situations

• 954-262-8999

The Henderson Student Counseling Center 

• Offers individual and couple counseling, as well as psychiatric services, for students struggling with personal or interpersonal problems and crises.

• Current students are eligible to receive up to 10 free counseling sessions per year with a licensed therapist.

• Though students are charged a nominal fee for appointments with the psychiatrist, Henderson accepts most insurance plans and NSU Health Insurance covers 100 percent of the cost.

• Open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Regular office number and 24/7 crisis hotline: 954-424-6911

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