By Nyk Miller
LifeAtStart.com reporter
It’s a controversial and startling topic, sexual violence. The numbers are disgusting, between men and women and the unnerving numbers of victims that haven’t come forward about their experiences.
1 of every 6 women are victim to attempted or completed rape.
9 out of 10 rape victims are female.
When brought to my attention all of the tactics women use to protect themselves from an attack, I’ve realized just how bad it is and it needs to stop.
What kind of life is it to live when you go out with your friends and you have to keep your drink covered, more focused on waking up safe in your own home than having a good time with your friends?
- How about not being able to walk home alone without feeling worried?
- Staying on the phone when even doing something as simple as walking across campus?
- Using a key as a weapon between your fingers when walking to your car?
- Being cautious to ask any strangers, especially males, for help?
- Meeting in a busy area for a date?
- Having to tell someone where you’re going and who you’re going with?
And so many others I doubt we’ve even heard of. In reality, it’s crazy to think about, and unfair. It’s not to say that men don’t have these things happen to them either, it’s just less common, around 1 in 33 men have reported cases of sexual assault or rape.
While hard for men and women, men are less likely to report such a case, whether from embarrassment or from fear, or any other reason they may have. While many things about sexual assault should be frowned upon, such as how much women have to do to protect themselves and the statistics, the worst thing is how many victims are told, “It’s your fault.” Is it ever really the victims fault? Is it always the predators fault? The conflict could go on forever, but truthfully, there are just some monsters in this world.
Monsters who are okay with potentially ruining a life, even someone as young as 12 years old, and often times, (34%) even younger.
12 to 17 is the most common age for sexual assault victims.
From 2009 to 2013, an estimated 63,000 children a year were involved in sexual abuse.
There may not be much we can do, but we have to do better, we have to teach more about consent, we have to do something. While we have done something, as sexual violence had fallen 63% in 2015 since 1993, we have to do better. And if you don’t think so and you think it’s no big deal ask yourself, what if it were you, or your family, your best friend, or even your child.
Statistics found by https://www.rainn.org/statistics/scope-problem