April is SA Awareness Month
April is SA Awareness Month.
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center:
• One in five women in the United States experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime.
• Nearly a quarter (24.8%) of men in the U.S. experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime.
• Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.
• One in three female victims of completed or attempted rape experienced it for the first time between the ages of 11 and 17.
• About one in four male victims of completed or attempted rape first experienced it between the ages of 11 and 17.
• Forty percent of rapes and sexual assaults were reported to police in 2017, but only about 25% were reported to police in 2018.
• The prevalence of false reporting for sexual assault crimes is low — between two percent and 10 percent.
• Almost one in four undergraduate women experienced sexual assault or misconduct at 33 of the nation’s major universities.
• About half (51.1%) of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance.
#SAAwareness #SAAwarenessMonth #EricSwalwell #SexualAssaultprevention #SexualAssaultAwareness
@Brooke.talks.politics @Maggie Gehlsen-Burnett @creditcarson @Jamilah @Franchesca Ramsey
During Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, it's important not only to share statistics but also to understand the human impact behind the numbers. From personal experience and observations in discussions around this topic, I have seen how victim-shaming and misconceptions about reporting timelines continue to create barriers for survivors seeking justice and healing. Many survivors choose not to come forward immediately due to fear, stigma, or uncertainty about being believed. False reporting rates for sexual assault remain low—between 2% and 10%—which is significantly less than the prevalence of assault itself. This highlights the need to trust and support those who choose to share their experiences, even if delayed. Further, men are often overlooked in conversations about sexual violence. Data indicates men experience high rates of contact sexual violence—nearly a quarter in the U.S.—and are significantly more likely to be victimized by other men. Raising awareness on this reduces harmful stereotypes and encourages inclusive prevention efforts. Educational institutions also bear responsibility, as almost a quarter of undergraduate women report assault or misconduct. Prevention programs must be strengthened on campuses to foster safer environments. One helpful way to contribute is by engaging with community initiatives and using social media hashtags like #SAAwareness and #SexualAssaultPrevention to amplify survivor voices and inform the public. Remember, sexual assault prevention starts with everyone having candid, compassionate conversations, advocating for survivors, and challenging harmful beliefs around blame and timing of disclosures.
