October is Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month in the United States. Survivors of gender violence are encouraged to wear purple ribbons and allies are encouraged to wear green. And in recognition of survivors as allies and allies as survivors, one may wear a green ribbon intertwined with purple.
While in my undergrad career at Earlham College, I was an advocate for survivors of sexual assault. I was trained to be an active listener for survivors and give them the safe space necessary for healing. I sat with folks of all genders and cried with them, breathed with them, and healed with them. Hearing how people could have such brutal disregard for the emotional and physical safety for people was haunting. This was the most worthwhile and wonderful experience of my college career. And I still hold their pain for them.
In recognition of Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, I would like to share a few statistics from the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). These statistics are usually conservative numbers as they have been found from the 2005 National Crime Victimization Survey conducted by the US Department of Justice. Many scholars of the field believe the numbers are usually much higher then published due to the overwhelmingly low reporting of survivors.
• Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted.
• One in six American women are victims of sexual assault, and one in 33 men.
• Approximately 60% of all cases of gender violence are not reported.
• 98% of all survivors know their attacker.
• 95% of all sexual assaults involve drugs or alcohol.
If you or some one you know needs help, please call for help. It is never too late. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). It is free, confidential and always open.
Find a safe place. Go to a family or friend’s house. If you are unable to, please find a local shelter here.
And if you are an ally for a survivor, please find someone to share your feelings in a safe, confidential setting. 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) is open for allies and supporters of survivors. “Good Listeners need Good Listeners”.
