Rape is any form of unwanted sexual behaviour that is imposed on someone.
Rape and sexual violence are more common than most people realise and there is still a lack of clarity about the true extent of rape.
So here is a compendium of rape facts and what you can do to protect yourself...
* Rape includes:
Sexual harassment
Verbal abuse
Leering, threats
Exposure
Being forced to watch pornography
Unwanted touching
Incest
Penetration
Mutilation
Ritual abuse
* The vast majority of sexual assaults and rapes are committed by men against women or girls they know.
* Many rapes or sexual assaults happen during childhood or in early adulthood and some people experience multiple rapes.
* One out of every four women over the age of 14 will be sexually assaulted at least once in her lifetime.
* Over 70% of rapes are committed by someone with whom the victim is acquainted.
* 40% of victims have known their attacker less than 24 hours.
* 9 out of 10 rapes are never reported, allowing a rapist to rape again.
* In at least 76% of the cases, the rape survivor will be of the same race and class as their attackers.
* Rape is a crime of power, an attempt to hurt and humiliate. It is not “uncontrollable passion.”
* Rape can happen to anyone, from small children to grandparents, males and females.
* Rape can occur in public or your own home, day or night.
* Many rapists target people they feel will not tell, such as children or teens that may have mistakenly placed themselves in a risky situation such as using alcohol or drugs.
* Over 70% of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. Sometimes the victim has only met the rapist casually. Other times the rapist is well known to the victim.
* Most of these rapes occur in the victim’s own home or the home of a friend or relative. These relationships may make it more difficult for the victim to report the crime.
* Many survivors experience tonic immobility or a “freeze response” during an assault where they physically cannot move or speak.
* 55% of rape or sexual assault victimizations occur at or near the victim’s home, and 12% occur at or near the home of a friend, relative, or acquaintance.
* There is an average of 293,066 victims ages 12 or older of rape and sexual assault each year. This means 1 sexual assault occurs every 107 seconds.
* 1.5% of all men have been raped and 47% of bisexual men have experienced some form of unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime.
* The perpetrator selects the victim- the victim’s behavior or clothing choices do not mean that they are consenting to sexual activity.
* 60% of child sexual abuse cases are perpetrated by someone the child knows outside the family, and 30% are assaulted by family members.
* The assault is typically not based on the sexual preferences of the victim or rapist, and therefore does not necessarily change the victim’s sexual orientation.
* People with disabilities are victims of sexual assault twice as much as people without disabilities.
* Prostitutes have the right to give and withhold consent to any sexual activity, and therefore, can be raped just like anyone else.
* There are many ways you can help prevent sexual violence including intervening as a bystander to protect someone who may be at risk.
* Rape results in about 32,000 pregnancies each year.
* 4 out of 5 rape victims subsequently suffer from chronic physical or psychological conditions.
* 40% of rape survivors develop sexually transmitted diseases as a result of sexual assault.
* Over a third of women who are raped as minors are also also raped as adults.
* 42% of raped women expect to be raped again.
* Rape survivors are 13 times more likely to attempt suicide than are people who have not been victims of a crime.
* Most men who sexually assault other men identify themselves as heterosexual. This fact helps to highlight another reality: sexual assault is about violence, anger and control over another person, not lust or sexual attraction.
* Although the majority of perpetrators are male, people of all genders can be both victims and perpetrators of sexual violence.
* Sexual arousal, including climax, erection and ejaculation are physiological responses that may result from mere physical contact or even extreme stress. These responses do not imply the survivor wanted or enjoyed the assault and do not indicate anything about sexual orientation.
* Some rapists are aware how arousal, climax, erection and ejaculation can confuse a victim of sexual assault; this motivates them to manipulate their victims to the point of arousal, climax, erection or ejaculation to increase their feelings of control and to discourage reporting of the crime.
What can a rape survivor do?
Call emergency lines
Tell a police
Tell a trusted and close relative
Tell a friend
* 40% of victims are assaulted by a brief encounter assailant (A suspect who knew the victim less than 24 hours) and report using alcohol or drugs prior to the assault.
* If you suspect that you have been drugged and/or raped, call the police department or the Rape Crisis Hotline.
Rape prevention
* Predatory suspects understand the value of alcohol and drugs. Avoid occasions that will leave you alone and vulnerable.
* The most important concern is your survival. No one can tell you if you should resist or submit. The decision you make at the moment IS the right one.
* Any situation with heavy drinking/parting is placing you in a HIGH RISK situation. So don’t drink anything out of a punch bowl.
* Monitor the behavior of friends who seem intoxicated.
* Never accept a drink (even soda or water) from someone you do not know or trust.
* If you hear someone “kidding” about rape drugs, pay attention. That should be a warning to leave the party or that individual.
What To Do If You Are Attacked:
* Get away from your attacker.
* Get to a safe place.
* Seek help immediately.
* Your survival is your first priority.
* Get away from your attacker as soon as you are able.
When raped, for evidence purpose follow this procedure:
* DO NOT shower or bathe
* DO NOT eat or drink anything
* DO NOT brush your teeth
* DO NOT douche
* DO NOT change your clothing or clean up in any way until you speak with the police, a potential witness, a confidant and then go to the hospital.
* Doing any of the above could destroy important physical evidence.
How to Stay Safe At All Times
Outside or inside the Home
* Be alert to your surroundings as well as the people around you, especially if you are alone or if it is after dark.
* Whenever possible, travel with a friend.
* Stay in areas with good lighting and ask for an escort to walk you to your car.
* Make eye contact if someone approaches you. Rapists often look for someone who appears to be weak or vulnerable. Unfortunately, if an attack still occurs, this may help to identify your assailant later.
* Walk on the side of the street facing traffic.
* Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes and hallways where rapists can hide.
* If you think you are being followed, walk quickly to an area where there are people and lights.
* If a car appears to be following you while walking, turn and walk in the opposite direction or on the other side of the street.
* If you feel you are in danger, scram and run. Yell “FIRE” or break a window to attract attention.
Whenever possible, don’t carry a purse or backpack.
While at Home
* Install effective locks on all doors and windows and use them at all times.
* Never open your door without knowing who is on the other side. Install a peephole.
* If someone calls or comes to your door, don’t admit that you are alone.
* If you come home and find a door or window open, or signs of forced entry, don’t go in. go to the nearest phone and call the police.
* Install a motion-triggered light by your front door to prevent you from having to fumble with you keys to try to get into your house. Without light to ensure a quick and sure entry into your home, you are vulnerable to attack.
In Your Car
* Lock you car doors as soon as you get in.
* Always park in well-lit areas.
* Have your car keys securely in your hand and ready to open your car door.
* Make sure the dome light in your car is operating.
* Always check the back seat of your car, or any other hidden areas before getting into your vehicle.
* If you think you are being followed while driving, go immediately to a public place or police station.
* If your car breaks down, keep the doors locked and stay inside (if it is safe to do so based on traffic conditions).
* If someone stops to help, roll down you window slightly and ask them to call the police.
* Don’t park next to a van with a sliding door if the sliding door opens up next your car.
This is my contribution to speaking up against rape. It is pure evil!!!
Do not justify, glorify, weaponise or fantasize about rape.
Rapists, sexual or violent assaulters should be castrated and or paralysed once proven guilty of the allegation.
#SayNoToRape
Read up on ways to prevent being raped:
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