Our society can perpetuate behaviors, statements, and systems that harm survivors of sexual assault significantly, making it difficult to report and seek justice for sexual violence. This is largely due to rape culture, a phenomenon where a society creates and fosters an environment in which rape is normalized and excused in our
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Survivors of sexual assault deserve to seek justice against their perpetrators without judgement or blame from their communities. Unfortunately, many survivors face acts of scrutiny after coming forward — and victim blaming is an all-too-common occurrence. Instead of focusing on supporting the survivor and ending sexual violence in their own communities, some
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One of the most common myths surrounding sexual assault cases is that men never experience this type of abuse, and if male sexual assault does occur, it only happens in prisons. However, research shows that approximately 1 in 6 men have suffered from sexual abuse or sexual assault — and the actual
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Sexual assault is a traumatic experience to live through, both physically and emotionally. Survivors often feel a whirlwind of emotions, from extreme anger and sadness to feeling numb and experiencing dissociation — and all of these emotions are valid and common. However, some survivors may face stigma or victim blaming because their
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While sexual assault is a rampant issue across the United States, statistics from law enforcement fail to capture the scope of the problem because many survivors do not report these crimes to the police. According to the United States Department of Justice, survivors do not report approximately 80% of sexual assaults and
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After a sexual assault, advocates, experts, and online resources encourage survivors to visit a local hospital or medical center to receive a sexual assault forensic exam, also known as a rape kit. However, these health centers can fail to test many of these kits — leading to a significant backlog that survivors
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Sexual assault is a heinous crime that can have a significant impact on each aspect of a survivor’s life — and without proper healing and justice, overcoming assault can be a momentous challenge. While many people understand the physical realities of sexual assault, many fail to understand how deeply an act of
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Human trafficking and sexual exploitation are serious crimes that often occur undetected in the United States. A trafficked person may seem like he or she is traveling with a friend, parent, or significant other, and the people who provide services to him or her may not realize the danger he or she
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Sexual violence is a rampant issue across the United States, affecting thousands of people each year. While many of us recognize these actions as wrong and inappropriate, we can hesitate to intervene when we see someone acting in a sexually violent way toward another person. By promoting bystander intervention, we can all
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The aftermath of a sexual assault can be disorienting, confusing, and scary. You may not know how to seek help, how to report the crime to police, or whether you want to report the crime at all. While it is important for survivors to weigh their options and make an informed decision
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