Becca was raped at the age of 15. Her trauma changed everything.
What Everyone Needs To Know
“Sexual violence occurs when a person is forced, coerced, and/ or manipulated into any unwanted sexual activity, including when they are unable to consent due to age, illness, disability, or the influence of alcohol or other drugs.” (National Sexual Violence Resource Center).
The victim is never to blame.
Common reactions to sexual trauma:
- Emotional: Guilt/shame/self-blame • Embarrassment • Fear • Sadness • Anger • Vulnerability • Isolation • Lack of control • Denial • Numbness • Confusion • and more.
- Psychological and physical: Substance use • Nightmares • Flashbacks • Depression • Difficulty concentrating • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) • Anxiety • Eating disorders • Low self-esteem • Increased startle response • Concerns about physical safety • Suicidal ideation • Self-harm, • Disassociation (when the brain tries to detach from reality) • and more.
- Studies have identified a significant association between child sexual abuse & compulsive sexual behavior (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33425653/)
What BSF Is Doing
Stats
- Ages 12-34 are the highest risk years for rape and sexual assault. 18 percent of girls and 3 percent of boys say that by age 17 they have been victims of sexual assault or abuse at the hands of another adolescent. https://theconversation.com/sexual-assault-among-adolescents-6-facts-103658
- Young women are especially at risk. 82% of all juvenile victims are female. 90% of adult rape victims are female.
- The likelihood that a person suffers suicidal or depressive thoughts increases after sexual violence:
- 94% of women who are raped experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the two weeks following the rape.
- 30% of women report symptoms of PTSD 9 months after the rape.
- 33% of women who are raped contemplate suicide.
- 13% of women who are raped attempt suicide.
- Approximately 70% of rape or sexual assault victims experience moderate to severe distress, a larger percentage than for any other violent crime.
- People who have been sexually assaulted are more likely to use drugs than the general public:
- 3.4 times more likely to use marijuana
- 6 times more likely to use cocaine
- 10 times more likely to use other major drugs
Source: https://www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence
Help Lines
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
Free, Confidential, 24/7
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
Free, Confidential, 24/7
1-800-841-8371
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
If you are a victim of nonconsensual pornography (“NCP”, also known as “revenge porn”), recorded sexual assault (RSA), or sextortion and you reside in the United States, please call the CCRI Crisis Helpline at
844-878-CCRI (2274)
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Maintains a directory of organizations that list state and territory sexual assault coalitions, victim/survivor support organizations and local communities of color sexual assault organizations.
