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A book that I think many survivors would be able to gain something from reading this book.  "Rape and Sexual Assault: Healing and Recovery" by Rebecca T. Klein

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While at university, I and many of my friends were sexually assaulted on a regular basis. This can be a tough statement to accept for some people, but virtually every woman (and some men, too) can unfortunately confirm that it is true.

Sexual assault doesn't just mean rape in a dark alley by a stranger - it's groping on a night out, inappropriate comments or being pressured by a friend or partner into a sexual act.

Misconceptions around consent, sexual assault and even rape are inescapable and far too common. It's almost become normalised, an accepted part of student life.

Report rates at universities in the UK are shockingly low and are not representative of the scale of this epidemic. How do you report sexual assault and harassment when the perpetrator is a friend or a friend of a friend, and you could bump into them at any time?

Revolt Sexual Assault is a national campaign that I set up to expose the nature and extent of sexual assault and harassment experienced by students at university in the UK.

We have launched a survey, the first of its kind in the UK for a decade, in partnership with The Student Room. Current students and graduates who take part will generate insights on the prevalence of sexual violence on campuses, rates of reporting and knowledge of support services.

We have also used Snapchat to give a voice to students who have experienced sexual assault. Students can use facial and voice filters to protect their anonymity while ensuring that others can still hear their story.

This became a powerful tool for addressing the serious issue of sexual assault and harassment, humanising a darker side to university life that is often concealed by a cloak of silence. One of our participants fed back about her experience after filming her story: "Telling my story anonymously has been so empowering and I've felt safe and in control the whole time."

Another male student said of the campaign: "I'm not sure how to write this but I want to say thank you...As a male survivor, I'm glad to see such articles are appearing and that the voice is being raised to say, 'No, no more, not again'. And thank you for saying it can happen to men as well - that means a lot."

The current system is under-equipped to deal with the sheer scale of sexual assault and harassment experienced by students. Up until 2016, the Zellick report advised universities that "internal action for rape and sexual assault is out of the question".

Far too many universities still follow this approach, despite the 2016 Universities UK Changing the Culture report stating that: "the idea of going to the police or through formal disciplinary procedures can be a barrier to reporting and result in a student feeling unable to seek support".

One of our campaign participants described this experience: "It's me who has to check whether I share an exam hall with him and if I do I have to explain, normally to a new member of staff, what happened so that they change the room for me. I had to change gyms, I've never been on the university ski trip. Rape is a real thing and so was the way I was treated after. Something really needs to change."

She had reported her sexual assault to the university and the police, who decided not to pursue a conviction because of a lack of evidence.

Universities are reliant on the personal tutor system, but while some individual members of staff can and do act as excellent personal tutors, this is far from universal when many have limited pastoral training and, for some, hearing these stories can cause distress.

However, some higher education institutions are starting to tackle the issue of sexual assault and harassment in the UK, following the Changing the Culture report.

But no student voices were represented in the report and information is not currently available on how often sexual assault and harassment is happening at UK universities and nor are the necessary first-hand accounts from students. Our campaign and survey's mission is to fill this gap.

We are campaigning to the government for a universal policy and minimum standard of care for students experiencing sexual assault and harassment. It's common knowledge that many universities are frightened about approaching this topic as their report rates will inevitably go up, and they will be acknowledging that sexual assault and harassment is happening.

Those same universities should be assured that, for prospective and current students, a university that acknowledges and understands the reality of what we have to go through on a regular basis, that stands up and says that sexual assault and harassment will not be tolerated and that provides clear and accessible reporting procedures and support services, will be one that wins our applications every time.

To help inform universities on the necessary facts needed to inform and shape their handling of the issue, we are offering universities and students' unions in the UK a chance to engage with our work, and participate in the survey, with universities such as Durham University, City, University of London and the University of Sussex being some of the first to sign up. We are urging other universities to follow the lead of these innovative and proactive institutions and commit to putting the real and raw student experience of sexual violence at the heart of their response.

To female and male students and graduates throughout the UK who have been affected, please do get in touch with me and Revolt Sexual Assault through our website or social media. We hope that the compilation and publication of these videos, alongside the results of our national survey, will lead to more awareness, conversation, engagement and momentum for change: #ItsRevolting.

To fill out the survey please click here https://revoltsexualassault.com/survey/

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Sexual assault at universities: #itsrevolting

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While at university, I and many of my friends were sexually assaulted on a regular basis. This can be a tough statement to accept for some people, but virtually every woman (and some men, too) can unfortunately confirm that it is true.

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Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide - including right here in the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use the following methods to lure victims into trafficking situations:

Violence

Manipulation

False promises of well-paying jobs

Romantic relationships

Language barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime.

Traffickers look for people who are easy targets for a variety of reasons, including:

Psychological or emotional vulnerability

Economic hardship

Lack of a social safety net

Natural disasters

Political instability

The trauma caused by the traffickers can be so great that many may not identify themselves as victims or ask for help, even in highly public settings.

Many myths and misconceptions exist. Recognizing key indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying victims and can help save a life. Not all indicators listed are present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking.

The safety of the public as well as the victim is important. Do not attempt to confront a suspected trafficker directly or alert a victim to any suspicions. It is up to law enforcement to investigate suspected cases of human trafficking.

Visit the links below to learn more about human trafficking and how you can protect yourself and others.

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Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.

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Every 98 seconds someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. That means every single day more than 570 people experience sexual violence in this country.

Sexual violence permeates our culture, from violent rape scenes on hit TV shows to sexist dress codes that reinforce rape culture; from famous athletes telling young girls they're " supposed to be silent," to near-daily stories of sexual assaults on college campuses; from a former Olympic doctor accused of sexually abusing more than 100 women, to a President of The United States who has been publicly accused of sexually assaulting more than 15 women and was recorded boasting that he grabs women "by the pussy."

All of these examples create a culture that reinforces the normalization of sexual violence.

Since the first step toward preventing sexual violence is understanding the reality of it, we've rounded up 30 statistics that show just how insidious it is for National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

Sexual violence is a problem that is deeply rooted in our culture, and these numbers prove that.

The estimated number of women who have been the victims of rape since 1998.

The percentage of perpetrators of sexual violence that will walk free.

The percentage of female rape survivors who will attempt suicide.

The percentage of trans people who will experience sexual assault in their lifetimes.

The total amount of money rape costs victims every year in the U.S., excluding child sexual abuse.

The age range that women are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault. Female college students ages 18-24 are three times more likely than women in the general population to experience sexual violence.

The fraction of American women who have survived an attempted or completed rape in their lifetimes.

The amount of times trans people of color are more likely to experience sexual violence than the general population.

The percentage of men who will be raped in their lifetime.

The percentage of adult rape victims that are female.

The average number of victims of rape and sexual assault per year in the U.S.

The estimated number of inmates who experience sexual violence in prison or jail every year.

The percentage of instances of sexual violence experienced by inmates that are perpetrated by jail or prison staff.

The number of times a person with a disability is more likely to be a victim of sexual assault or rape than a person without a disability.

The percentage of sexual contact between inmates and prison guards that is illegal and, therefore, non-consensual.

The estimated lifetime income that a survivor of sexual violence who was abused as an adolescent loses.

The amount of money it costs to get a rape kit tested. According to the Violence Against Women Act, a survivor should never have to pay for their own rape kit, but many states have loopholes that force survivors to do just that.

The age range in which people are most likely to be sexually assaulted.

The percentage of trans or gender nonconforming students who report being sexually assaulted while attending college.

The percentage of bisexual women who report being raped in their lifetime.

The number of military service people who experienced unwanted sexual contact in 2014.

The fraction of military service members who experienced an assault at the hands of someone in their chain of command.

The estimated number of men who have experienced an attempted or completed rape since 1998.

The average number of Native Americans 12 years and older who report being sexually assaulted each year.

The percentage of women who experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the two weeks directly after being raped.

The fraction of rapes committed by someone the victim knows.

The percentage of sexual violence perpetrators that are white.

The percentage of child sexual abuse perpetrators who know their victim.

The percentage of false rape reports.

The amount of money sexual violence and abuse cost the U.S. in 2008 alone.

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30 Alarming Statistics That Show The Reality Of Sexual Violence In America

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Every 98 seconds someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. That means every single day more than 570 people experience sexual violence in this country.

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There is a lot of information that circulates about sexual violence and the people affected by it. The following myths are common and can impact survivors of assault or abuse, as well as the behavior and effectiveness of friends, family, medical, social service and law enforcement personnel. This sheet will help clarify some of the most common myths.

Myth: Sexual assault is an act of lust and passion that can't be controlled.

Fact: Sexual assault is about power and control and is not motivated by sexual gratification.[1]

Myth: If a victim of sexual assault does not fight back, they must have thought the assault was not that bad or they wanted it.

Fact: Many survivors experience tonic immobility or a "freeze response" during an assault where they physically cannot move or speak.[2]

Myth: A lot of victims lie about being raped or give false reports.

Fact: Only 2-8% of rapes are falsely reported, the same percentage as for other felonies.[3]

Myth: A person cannot sexually assault their partner or spouse.

Fact: Nearly 1 in 10 women have experienced rape by an intimate partner in their lifetime.[4]

Myth: Sexual assaults most often occur in public or outdoors.

Fact: 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.[5]

Myth: Rape does not happen that often.

Fact: There is an average of 293,066 victims ages 12 or older of rape and sexual assault each year in the U.S. This means 1 sexual assault occurs every 107 seconds.[6]

Myth: People that have been sexually assaulted will be hysterical and crying.

Fact: Everyone responds differently to trauma- some may laugh, some may cry, and others will not show any emotions.[7]

Myth: Men are not victims of sexual violence.

Fact: 1.5% of all men have been raped and 47% of bisexual men have experienced some form of unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime. ⁴

Myth: Wearing revealing clothing, behaving provocatively, or drinking a lot means the victim was "asking for it".

Fact: The perpetrator selects the victim- the victim's behavior or clothing choices do not mean that they are consenting to sexual activity.[8]

Myth: If a parent teaches a child to stay away from strangers they won't get raped.

Fact: 60% of child sexual abuse cases are perpetrated by someone the child knows outside the family, and 30% are assaulted by family members.[9]

Myth: Being sexually assaulted by someone of the same gender can make a person gay or lesbian.

Fact: 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.[10]

Myth: People with disabilities are at low risk for sexual assault.

Fact: People with disabilities are victims of sexual assault twice as much as people without disabilities. ⁶

Myth: Prostitutes cannot be raped because they are selling sex.

Fact: Prostitutes have the right to give and withhold consent to any sexual activity, and therefore, can be raped just like anyone else.[11]

Myth: Getting help is expensive for survivors of assault.

Fact: Services such as counseling and advocacy are offered for free or at a low cost by sexual assault service providers.[12]

Myth: There is nothing we can do to prevent sexual violence.

Fact: There are many ways you can help prevent sexual violence including intervening as a bystander to protect someone who may be at risk.[13]

[1] Groth, A., Burgess, W., & Holmstrom, L. Rape: Power, anger, and sexuality. American Journal of Psychiatry, 134(11), 1239-43. Pubmed.gov.

[2] TeBockhorst, S., O'Halloran, M., & Nyline, B. (2014). Tonic Immobility Among Survivors of Sexual Assault. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 7(2). 171-178

[3] Lonsway, K., Archambault, J., & Lisak, D. (2009). False Reports: Moving Beyond the Issue to Successfully Investigate and Prosecute NonStranger Sexual Assault. The Voice, 3(1).

[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. (2011).

[5] Planty, M., Langton, L., Krebs, C., Berzofsky, M., & Smiley-McDonald, H. (2013). Female Victims of Sexual Violence, 1994-2010. Bureau of Justice Statistics.

[6] U.S. Department of Justice. National Crime Victimization Survey. 2009-2013.

[7] Fanflik, P. (2007). Victim Responses to Sexual Assault: Counterintuitive or Simply Adaptive?

[8] The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: The Truth About Sexual Abuse

[9] US Department of Justice: Facts and Statistics

[11] Sullivan, B. (2007). Rape, Prostitution, and Consent. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology (Australian Academic Press), 40(2), 127-142.

[12] RAINN: Find Help Near You

[13] RAINN: Your Role in Preventing Sexual Assault

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There is a lot of information that circulates about sexual violence and the people affected by it. The following myths are common and can impact survivors of assault or abuse, as well as the behavior and effectiveness of friends, family, medical, social service and law enforcement personnel.

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The Rape Crisis Center for Children and Adults

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Built out of response to a need in our community and born from grassroots efforts, The Rape Crisis Center has been empowering survivors since 1975. We offer a continuum of care- from intervention to prevention and advocacy, including wrap-around resources.

We provide 24-hour crisis intervention, free and confidential counseling and a community wide prevention education program. We not only create awareness through presentations, but also through events, campaigns and dynamic partnerships and collaborations.

We envision a world free from sexual violence where equity in relationships and social inclusion are the norm, and we work passionately to make this vision a reality. We won't stop until we achieve a safe, healthy and equitable San Antonio for all.

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Home | The Rape Crisis Center for Children and Adults

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Built out of response to a need in our community and born from grassroots efforts, The Rape Crisis Center has been empowering survivors since 1975. We offer a continuum of care- from intervention to prevention and advocacy, including wrap-around resources. We provide 24-hour crisis intervention, free and confidential counseling and a community wide prevention education program.

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Sexual assault can occur between people of different genders (sex), or of the same gender.

Even if the person was your date, boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or someone you live with, they still need your consent.

Recovering from sexual assault takes time, and how recovery happens will be different for everyone.

Sexual Assault Includes:

Being forced to watch porn when you don't want to.

Being touched in a sexual manner against your will, regardless of where you were touched.

Being prevented from using a condom or other protection during sex.

Someone putting a penis, finger or object in your vagina, mouth or anus when you didn't want them to.

You Did Not Give Consent if You:

Were pressured, intimidated or forced to do sexual things you didn't want to do.

Were incapacitated due to drugs or alcohol.

Changed your mind about engaging in sexual activity.

Coercion in Rape and Sexual Assault

Coercion is being pressured or forced to do something sexual you did not want to do. Any sexual activity that involves coercion is sexual assault.

Some forms of coercion are:

Use of threats (i.e., if you don't do this, I'll get you in trouble)

Intimidation (with looks, gestures, or body language)

Encouraging or forcing you to drink or do drugs

Use of a weapon

Underlying threat of violence if you don't submit (if there's been violence in the past, for example)

Not respecting someone saying "no" or "stop"

Making you feel like you owe the person sex

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Rape and Sexual Assault - Get Help | Safe Horizon

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Sexual assault can occur between people of different genders (sex), or of the same gender. Even if the person was your date, boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or someone you live with, they still need your consent. Recovering from sexual assault takes time, and how recovery happens will be different for everyone.

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Key data and statistics for injury and violence prevention and control

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I created this padlet to provide more information for people that want to know more about sexual assault. Whether you yourself are a survivor or just someone who wants to learn more about this. I hope that you learn something new and tell someone else what you learned.