Stand with survivors
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), serving as a critical opportunity to raise awareness of sexual violence and stand in support of survivors.
For many tribal nations and victim services programs, this month helps promote awareness of sexual assault and rape with a goal of prevention for safer communities. People are invited to wear teal on Fridays in April to show their support for survivors.
Data about Sexual Assault
Sexual Violence by any perpetrator (Source: NISVS 2018 Data Brief)
- Approximately 1 in 5 women (21.3 percent or an estimated 25.5 million) in the U.S. reported completed or attempted rape at some point in their lifetime, including completed forced penetration, attempted forced penetration, or alcohol/drug facilitated completed penetration. About 2.6 percent of U.S. men (an estimated 2.8 million) experienced completed or attempted rape victimization in their lifetime.
- About 1 in 14 men (7.1 percent or nearly 7.9 million) in the U.S. was made to penetrate someone else (attempted or completed) at some point in their lifetime.
- Approximately 1 in 6 women (16.1 percent or an estimated 19.2 million women) and approximately 1 in 10 men (9.6 percent or an estimated 10.6 million men) experienced sexual coercion (e.g., being worn down by someone who repeatedly asked for sex, sexual pressure due to someone using their influence or authority) at some point in their lifetime.
- The majority of female victims of completed or attempted rape first experienced such victimization early in life, with 81.3 percent (nearly 20.8 million victims) reporting that it first occurred prior to age 25.
- The majority of male victims (70.8 percent or an estimated 2.0 million) of completed or attempted rape reported that their first experience occurred prior to age 25.
Help is available
If you know anyone that has been assaulted or sexually abuse here are some helpful resources:
Call the StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) if you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or sexually abused.
Other available resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline is 24/7, confidential, and free: 1-800-799-7233
National Sexual Assault Hotline is 24/7, confidential, and free: 1-800-656–HOPE (4673).
National Human Trafficking Hotline is 24/7, confidential, and free: 1-888-373-7888 and through text SMS: 233733 (Text “Help” or “Info”).
Trans Life LifeLine for peer support for trans folks is available 9 a.m.-3 a.m. central time: 1-877-565-8860.
