Sexual Assault: the Offender & the Victim

1. Sexual Assault: the Offender & the Victim By Esther L. Stap & Liz Everitt

2. What is considered Sexual Assault? (Examples) • child molestation • attempted rape • sexual intercourse that is said no to (rape) • inappropriate touching • Vaginal penetration • Anal penetration • Oral penetration Definition of Sexual Assault! Sexual assault is a sexual activity that doesn’t have one of the people’s consent.

3. What Percentage of Sexual Assaults Go Unreported? 54% Sexual assault is the least reported violent crime in the United States! How Often is Someone Sexually Assaulted in the U.S? • Every 2 minutes • This means there are about 720 new victims EVERYDAY! Common Questions & Thesis

4. When? Where? How? • Between6:00pm –12:00am: 43%of rapes occur! • 2out of 5take place in the victim’s home • 1out of 5take place in the home of a friend, relative, or neighbor.   • 1 out of 12takes place in a parked car.   • 84%of the offenders only used physical force • Only11%of reported cases involved a weapon.   • 3%: Gun • 6%: Knife • 2%of some other kind of weapon Statistics!

5. Comparative Statistics: Majority of victims are women 1in6women in the U.S. have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime compared to 1in33men. 17.7 millionwomen and 2.78million men in the U.S. are reported victims Shared Effects: • Symptoms of fear, embarrassment, anxiety attacks, nightmares and much more! • Trust in others is shattered, especially if it was committed by someone the victim trusted Comparing Women & Men Victims

6. Statistics are not completely accurate on the number of actual victims of either sex due to the suspected number of cases that go unreported • Many males refuse to admit they have been sexually assaulted Analogy • Male victims experience even a worse case of shame • Might be considered “weak” or “gay” • Men are more likely suffer from PTSD • “Supposed to enjoy sexual acts.” Men are LESSlikely to report the sexual crime! Why do women get sexually abused more often than men?

7. Victims of sexual assault are: Many people have inaccurate assumptions of the sexually abused • Liars • “Men don’t get sexually abused” • “What’s the point of telling the authorities if there is not enough evidence to back it up” • “If you didn’t fight back, it’s not rape.” • 3x more likely to suffer from depression • 6x more likely to suffer from PTSD • 13x more likely to abuse alcohol • 26x more likely to abuse drugs • 4x more likely to contemplate suicide Everyone is a POTENTIAL VICTIM! Degree FALSE! 2/3 of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows!

8. A continuing cycle of sexual assault that perpetuates itself • The victims of sexual assault sometimes later become potential offenders • The offender feels shame and have need for power and control • The motivation is more of a sense of control than it is sexual attraction or anything sexually related Cause Unaware People that are not educated about sexual assault and how to prevent it. AKA: ignorance

9. What causes someone to become a potential rapist? • What causes people to believe that RAPE is acceptable? - Sons are pressured by their fathers to have sex, to always be a winner, and always get what they want/control women! - Has Been a Victim “Men can’t control themselves.” “Men are born rapists” Cause (Continued) “He could never be a rapist!” “Not saying NO means YES.” - Lack of Empathy “Boys will be boys” “It’s unacceptable for men to show female traits.” - The Stereotype that rapists can only be psychopaths in dark alleys! They will never be people you know. - Taught that men are higher than women - High/Low Self-Esteem

10. The pain and memory NEVER goes away completely… Many victims have to take depression, anxiety, & sleeping medications • Emotional Side Effects • Attempts to avoid anything associated with the trauma • Restlessness • Emotional mood swings • Depression • Nightmares & Flashbacks • Feelings of helplessness Effect Physical Side Effects Aches and pains Sudden sweating and/or heart palpitations Changes in sleep patterns, appetite, interest in sex Easily startled by noises or unexpected touch More susceptible to colds or illnesses

11. NO ONE takes it seriously! There is no EVIDENCE! SLUT! WHY? Assumptions LIAR! NO ONE believes me… ATTENTION WHORE! They WILL get away with IT

12. Present Facts 44% of sexual assault victims are under the age of eighteen 93% of sexual abuse cases today involve someone the child knows Out of all sexual assault cases, 73% of sexual assault offenders were a non-stranger. 7% - relative 28% - intimate partner 38% - friend or acquaintance. Past Facts Important Facts Possible Future Facts • Sexual assault is being reported less every year • This pressure upon the victim will only keep increasing, which will make the reporting rates continue to decrease.  

13. Common Characteristics of Offenders Average age: 31 52% - White 22% - Married Rapists are not just men! Women rape too! • Technique called “grooming.” • It is a method to build trust with a child and the parents or adults around the child to be able to access alone time with the child. • “Stranger danger” is really a myth. Offenders! Rapists aren’t born rapists, they are raised that way!

14. Possible Outcomes Make others aware of the issue Strategize ways to prevent it from happening as often Teaching others how to take care of the survivors Impossible Outcome • For sexual assault and/or rape to ever come to an end in the United States! Outcomes

15. Only 9.8% of 117 hospitals provided: • Acute medical care • History and physical examination • Acute and long-term rape crisis counseling • Prophylactic and therapeutic management for HIV or other STI’s (26.3% of victims contract) • Provision of emergency contraception, with appropriate counseling • The presence of a family member or friend isn’t recommended during the interview with the police, because the victim may hold back information. (Being quoted). Authorities • Nearly 80% of victims treated receive less than acceptable care! Hospital patient’s permission must be obtained before contacting the police. • Much evidence has to be collected. (DNA, or specific parts of the body, pieces of clothing). Photographs of injuries have to be taken and shown to the police! Counseling is recommended!

16. Lauren Kyle, a Portage Northern Senior • She was raped by a boy from the neighborhood (that was an old friend from elementary school) • “It was like an out of body experience. It was like I was watching it from above.” • “So I can call this rape?” said Lauren. The nurse said, “Absolutely. That’s absolutely what it was.” Lauren’s mother stated that “relief came on Lauren’s face because she was worried that somehow it was her fault.” • She started a “No Means No” campaign for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April 2013 News Story

17. Liz’s Story

18. Esther’s Story

19. Refutation of Opposition • Most offenders know what they are doing is wrong but they “can’t help themselves.” It just “happens.” • It’s more of a sense of control, than it is sexual attraction (or anything sexual related)

20. Don’t RAPE! • Becoming aware of the issue • Be supportive to victims: listen and offer comfort • Be aware of your surroundings • Walk with confidence • Limit with alcohol/drugs • Trust your instincts • Lock your door, windows at all times (car or house) • Watch your keys/Have your keys ready • Watch out for unwanted visitors • Be wary of isolated spots (Avoid walking or jogging alone) • Park in well-lit areas • Drive on well-traveled streets • Keep car in good shape with plenty of gas • Make sure you have your cell phone The Solution

21. Exposure • Don’t wait to tell • Make others aware of the issue • Call: National Sexual Assault Hotline to report sexual assault: 800-656-HOPE (4673) CALL TO ACTION!

22. The End