By: Caroline Anawate
The Theme for this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month is Drawing Connections: prevention Demands Equality.
This theme discusses how there is a link between sexual violence to systems of oppression, therefore we can’t talk about sexual violence without also talking about racism. As individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions we must build these systems surrounding us on racial equity and respect. Systems of oppression such as racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism, and others contribute to higher rates of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse.
Discussions about racial issues, equity, and inclusion are important to be having in all spaces. One must draw connections between themselves, history, and the world around them to create and help build awareness.
It is evident that certain groups of people are at higher risk for sexual violence and that those same people are also the most impacted by inequitable systems and oppression in our society.
Important Statistics:
More than 1 and 4 non-Hispanic Black women (29%) in the United States have faced sexual violence in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022).
More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3%) have experienced violence in their lifetime (Rosay, 2016).
1 in 3 Hispanic women (34.8%) reported unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022).
32.9% of adults with intellectual disabilities have experienced sexual violence (Tomsa et al., 2021).
47% of all transgender people have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives (James et al., 2016).
It is important to strive to build equity and respect within our communities, and workplaces in order to make real and lasting change.
Importance of awareness and education
When discussing combatting sexual assault, it is also important to build awareness and educate individuals on consent.
What is consent?
Consent must be freely given and informed, and a person can change their mind at any time. Consent is more than a yes or no. It is a dialogue about desires, needs, and levels of comfort with different sexual interactions.
The impact of sexual violence extends beyond the individual survivor and reaches all of society. It is important to build awareness and fight against sexual assault not only during Sexual Assault Awareness Month but every month.
Resources
Connecting with support can be extremely important after a sexual assault.
Here are some important resources:
OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES OFFERED AT WELLMINDED COUNSELING
Therapy for depression isn’t the only service we offer. WellMinded Counseling offers the following counseling services: