Sexual Assault Awareness Month Safety and Justice Overview:
- Who: April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which highlights the importance of understanding and preventing sexual violence in common public and digital spaces.
- Why: Statistics show an American is sexually assaulted once every 68 seconds.
- Where: Hundreds of Americans are affected by sexual assault and violence each day.
More than 400,000 Americans over the age of 12 are the victims of sexual assault each year, including one every 68 seconds.
The statistics, as reported by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), only reflect the tip of the iceberg of the prevalance of sexual assault in the United States.
Americans from every age group are victimized by sexual violence; however, children, teens and those younger than the age of 30 are especially vulnerable, according to RAINN.
April, meanwhile, is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is dedicated to helping educate people on the topic and put an end to sexual violence, harassment and abuse.
“Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate about how each of us can prevent sexual harassment, assault and abuse,” said Laura Palumbo, communications director at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, in a statement.
While the broader theme of this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month is how to remain safe from sexual violence online, the problem is certainly not limited to digital spaces.
Uber, Lyft Passengers Vulnerable To Sexual Assault, Abuse
The rideshare industry is one place where Americans have been vulnerable to sexual violence with Uber saying it received almost 6,000 combined reports of “serious sexual assault” during 2017 and 2018.
The sexual assaults involved non-consensual kissing, touching, sexual penetration and attempted sexual penetration.
There are a number of ways to stay safe while getting a ride from a company such as Uber or Lyft, including by sharing trip information with family and friends and ensuring the driver is legitimate before getting in the vehicle.
A rider may also want to make a phone call during the trip, let the driver know someone is looking out for them, sit in the backseat and, if possible, ride with another passenger rather than by themselves.
Sexual Abuse Exposed in Catholic Church
Another place where sexual violence has reared its head over the years is within religious institutions, such as the Catholic Church.
Sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergymen first came to light back in the 1980s, and a number of scandals have since followed over the years.
In total, 6,488 Catholic clergy members have, in modern times, faced credible accusations that they committed sexual abuse in the United States, according to a database put together by Bishopaccountability.org.
With that said, there are steps that can be taken to help curb instances of sexual violence in the Catholic Church, such as by improving the screening and verification of clergy members and volunteers and monitoring sex offenders to ensure they are not left alone with children.
YMCA Focuses On ‘Child Sexual Abuse Prevention’ Policies
Children who go to youth clubs such as the YMCA/YWCA are also at risk of being victims of sexual abuse, harassment and violence.
A former YMCA swim coach was recently charged with sex crimes against a boy whom she sexually assaulted when he was between the ages of 11 and 13.
In an effort to prevent sexual abuse at its centers, the YMCA says it has implemented “child sexual abuse prevention practices and policies.” The policies include requiring criminal background checks for staff and volunteers and providing training on how to respond to child abuse.
American adults who were abused while at the YMCA or YWCA as children can still file a complaint against the centers in many states, meanwhile, on account of the Child Victims Act, which greatly relaxes statute of limitation laws.
Risk Of Sexual Abuse Exists From Daycare To Higher Learning
Learning institutions ranging from elementary schools to higher education to daycare centers are also places where American adults and children have had to endure sexual assault and abuse.
Sexual misconduct occurs in both public and private schools and can be perpetrated by staff, students, coaches or even from someone associated with an outside institution.
Women aged between 18 and 24 are also at an increased risk of suffering from sexual abuse, according to RAINN, with sexual violence in general more common than other crimes on college campuses.
While laws vary by state, teachers, classified employees, administrators and others are required to report any instances of sexual abuse affecting a child while at a learning institution, RAINN reports.
The State of New York also has what is called a mandatory reporting list, which, in essence, helps ensure that cases of sexual misconduct against children don’t get swept under the rug since both the perpetrator and anyone who knew about it but didn’t report will be held responsible.
New York Introduces Bill Allowing Child Sex Abuse Victim Claims
Speaking of New York, the state has also been taking steps to help decrease instances of sexual violence in the state and hold perpetrators accountable, including by relaxing statute of limitations laws for sexual violence claims.
Victims of sexual violence in New York can now make claims for abuse that may have happened decades in the past.
More than 8,000 civil claims have been filed with the state since a bill passed that allowed former childhood sexual abuse victims to attempt to hold their abusers accountable.
Have you or a loved one been the victim of sexual abuse? You could qualify to recieve a free sexual assault lawsuit claim review (links to paid attorney content).
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