Introduction
Sexual assault is a serious crime and it has been a part of human history since the beginning of time. Although sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes, there are still ways to help prevent it.
How is sexual assault defined?
Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. Sexual assault may be committed by a stranger, acquaintances, intimate partners, dates, or people in positions of power over the victim.
Sexual assault is never the fault of the survivor. The perpetrator chooses to commit a crime and should be held accountable for their actions. Being assaulted is not an isolated incident but rather a result of a larger culture that tolerates violence against girls and women.
Why do some women not report sexual assault and harassment?
Fear of retaliation:
A fear that the perpetrator or a member of their family will retaliate against you if you report them. This may be true even if they are not arrested, convicted, or even charged with a crime; however, it is also illegal for any such threats to be made (or acted on).
Fear of being blamed:
You may worry that others will blame you for what happened and not believe your story. Victims often feel shame after being assaulted because of the way society blames women for sexual assault or harassment. These feelings can lead victims to feel powerless and isolated from others who might help them heal from their experience.((The National Sexual Violence Resource Center) reports that one-third of sexual assaults happen while the victim is under 18 years old.) So it’s important to know that anyone who sexually abuses someone else should be held accountable—and it isn’t your fault!
How can you help a friend who has been sexually abused?
When a friend shares with you that they have been sexually abused, there are a few things you should not do.
Don’t judge them—don’t tell them that what happened was their fault, or that they “asked for it,” or that they should be over it by now. None of these things are true and will only make your friend feel worse than they already do.
Don’t blame them—even if the abuse was part of their job (like in the case of child care workers), no one deserves to be touched without consent. It is never okay for an adult to touch a child in any way without consent, even if the adult is responsible for taking care of children professionally!
How does sexual harassment affect the Latino community?
Sexual harassment is a problem in the Latino community.
Latinos are less likely to report sexual harassment than other groups.
Latinos are more likely to be sexually harassed by a family member or friend.
Latinos are more likely to be sexually harassed by someone of the same gender.
The following information is from “The Sexual Assault Among Latinas Survey,” by Carlos A. Cuevas,
Ph.D. and Chiara Sabina, Ph.D. in 2010 o One in six Latina women experience sexual victimization
in their lifetime. o Almost 90% of Latina survivors of sexual violence have experienced more than one form of violence, including physical violence, threats, stalking, or witnessing violence.
-Most Latina survivors, including those victimized as children, know their perpetrators.
– Only 20% of Latina survivors seek formal support, such as medical, legal, or counseling assistance.
What are some ways to prevent sexual assault?
Make sure you know the person you are with.
Don’t leave your drink unattended.
Don’t accept drinks from strangers.
Don’t go to a party alone, especially if it’s your first time at that venue or if it’s an out-of-the-way place where you might not know anyone else there (and therefore find it difficult to leave).
If you are in a situation that makes you uncomfortable, leave—even if it means walking home alone late at night, which is unfortunate but far better than risking sexual assault or other harm because staying would make things worse than leaving would.* Do not get drunk around people who may be predators or who could take advantage of your altered state of mind. It is important to remember that alcohol does not cause rape—predators do.* Avoid drinking games like “beer pong” where players must consume large quantities of alcohol quickly in order to win points and play continues until one player downs his/her last cup full of beer
Sexual assault can be prevented.
Don’t blame the victim.
Don’t engage in sexist behavior like catcalling or using slurs.
Don’t use alcohol or drugs to excuse bad behavior.
Don’t be afraid to speak up if you see someone being harassed!
Conclusion
Sexual assault is a problem in our community, and it’s important to know the facts. We need to understand the signs of sexual abuse and how it can affect us personally, as well as what we can do to help others. The more we know about this issue, the better equipped we will be when faced with difficult situations or questions about our own safety and well-being at home or work.