Introduction
There was a time when sexual assault was blamed on the survivor usually a woman, and unless it was rape,
no one took much notice of the victim. Fortunately, times have changed.
Victim Blaming
Sexual assault is an intentional act in which a person sexually touches another without the person’s consent.
If the victim reports this crime they should be heard and supported. The victim is never the person to blame,
and any blame will have a lasting effect on them.
Sometimes a victim of sexual assault does not disclose the event for a long time, as they don’t feel safe to
talk about it, thinking that they will suffer victim blaming.
Fear of Reporting
The victim should be encouraged to report the crime and made to feel safe in doing so, to protect themselves
and others. With time, many men who commit sexual assault become more violent, and some go on to
commit murder.
Reporting
Fortunately with the start of the ‘Me Too’ movement more women are coming forward and having their
perpetrators charged.
We need advertising campaigns to encourage more women to report and feel safe in doing so.
