It is known that sexual assaults occur in the United States, but exact numbers and figures are difficult to determine based upon the suspected number of unreported sexual assaults that occur (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network [RAINN], 2014). Approximately 60% of all sexual assaults are never reported to police (RAINN, 2014). Despite the lack of sexual assault reporting, it has been determined that a sexual assault occurs every 2 minutes in the United States resulting in over 230,000 sexual assaults each year (RAINN, 2014). 1 in 6 women will be a victim of sexual assault within their lifetime resulting in over 17 million American women that have survived a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault (RAINN, 2014). Men can also be survivors of sexual assault. It is thought that many sexual assaults that occur among men go unreported, more often than sexual assaults against women (After Silence, 2011). Approximately 1 in every 33 men in the United States will experience sexual assault in their lifetime (RAINN, 2014). Among all sexual assaults, 90% occur between acquaintances, meaning that most survivors of sexual assault knew the assailant (RAINN, 2014).
Recently, the Department of Education published updated requires for higher education institutions regarding the reporting and handling of sexual assault cases among college students. These new regulations can be attributed to the high number of sexual assaults that have occurred on college campuses for a number of years (Franklin, Boufford and Pratt, 2012). About 1 in 4 college women and 3% of college men have reported surviving sexual assault after the age of 14 (One In Four USA, 2011). In fact, 25% of all reported sexual assaults occur among women aged 18-25, ages of a traditional college student (RAINN, 2014). The culture of college campus and the behaviors of college students may be attributed to these high rates (Franklin, Boufford and Pratt, 2012). Acquaintance or date rape tends to be the most prevalent form of sexual assault among college students (Franklin, Boufford and Pratt, 2012). This can be linked to high rates of alcohol and drug use among college students than individuals aged 18-24 not attending college (Franklin, Boufford and Pratt, 2012). The new federal regulations from the Department of Education will enforce increased education and prevention efforts provided to all college students and help regulate the reporting and judicial processes colleges and universities take when addressing sexual assault claims/reports among students (Not Alone.gov, 2014).
The effects that sexual assaults have adverse effects in survivors' lives (RAINN, 2014). Survivors of sexual assault are 3 times as likely to suffer from depression than someone who has not experienced sexual assault (RAINN, 2014). Even more alarming, survivors are 26 times more likely to abuse drugs and 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol as a result of sexual assault (RAINN, 2014).
The effects of sexual assault on survivors and the alarmingly high rates of sexual assault among men and women are validation that sexual assault is a public health issue that needs to be addressed through education and prevention efforts. Increased efforts to educate the public about the incidence of sexual assaults and ways that they can be prevented will help reduce the number of survivors battling the lasting effects of sexual assault.
References
After Silence (2011). Male Surviviors. Retrieved from http://www.aftersilence.org/male-survivors.php
Franklin, C.A., Boufford, L.A.. and Pratt, T.C. (2012). Sexual assault on the college campus: Fraternity affiliation, male-peer support and low self control.
Criminal Justice and Behavior, 39, 1457- 1480. doi: 10.1177/0093854812456527
One In Four USA (2011). Sexual assault statistics. Retrieved from http://www.oneinfourusa.org/statistics.php
Not Alone (2014). Title IX compliance requirements. Retrieved from https://www.notalone.gov/schools/
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (2014). Who are the victims?. Retrieved from
https://www.rainn.org/get-information/statistics/sexual-assault-victims