April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and support for survivors. Sexual violence can happen anywhere, in any community, and affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, including Native American communities, who are disproportionately impacted. Sexual violence means any unwanted sexual contact or behavior without consent. This can include rape, child sexual abuse, unwanted touching, sexual harassment, exploitation or trafficking, sharing private images without permission, or exposing oneself in public. It can involve pressure, threats, manipulation, or force.
Sexual violence is more common than many people realize. About 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men report experiencing rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. Around 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men report unwanted sexual contact. Many survivors know the person who harmed them, and more than half of women who experience rape report it was by an intimate partner. These experiences often begin at a young age, showing why education and early support are so important.
If you or someone you know needs help, you are not alone. Free and confidential support is available through the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE or by texting 64673. You can also call the National Sexual Assault Legal Hotline at 567-742-8837 for legal support. Reaching out can be a powerful first step toward healing, and there are people ready to listen and help.
Statistics In-Depth – National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)