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Amnesty International. “Amnesty International.” Amnesty International, 10 Nov. 2023, www.amnesty.org.

“Facts and Figures: Ending Violence Against Women.” UN Women – Headquarters, 26 Oct. 2023, www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures#:~:text=Globally%2C%20an%20estimated%20736%20million,does%20not%20include%20sexual%20harassment.

“Home - Women’s Aid.” Women’s Aid, 8 Nov. 2023, www.womensaid.org.uk.

“National Sexual Violence Resource Center.” National Sexual Violence Resource Center, www.nsvrc.org.

“Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).” United States Department of Justice, 7 Nov. 2023, www.justice.gov/ovw.

RAINN | the Nation’s Largest Anti-sexual Violence Organization. www.rainn.org.

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs. www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/type/sexual_assault_female.asp.

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Sexual violence is a traumatic experience that often leaves victims with long-lasting physical, emotional, and psychological scars. To ensure the successful recovery of survivors, it is so important to offer considerate support that helps the needs unique to them. To begin with, quickly connect victims with medical care to ensure their well being. There are many specialized sexual assault response teams and advocates that would benefit the victim heavily. There should also be a safe space where the survivor can freely express any thoughts and emotions they might be feeling. Another important aspect of support is to allow the survivor to have control over their recovery. Immediately forcing them to do certain things, or act a certain way could potentially set them back in recovery, even if it's done with the best of intentions. Providing information on local support groups, counseling, and other resources can be done but allow them to pursue those matters on their own terms. Self-care, such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques could also be promoted! Each person carries different characteristics, personalities, and backgrounds. This means that each survivor is going to need help in different way. It's important to understand what kind of support will fit them and their specific needs. Art therapy, group therapy, or expressive writing are all also great ways to show self-expression. Self-expression is crucial to recovery. Legal support can also be considered as well, which can provide another sense of safety if the survivor has legal help to protect themselves from their perpetrator. Supporting victims of sexual violence on their journey to recovery requires a multifaceted approach that includes immediate assistance, empowerment, therapeutic interventions, and legal support. By implementing these strategies, we can create a supportive environment that fosters healing and empowers survivors to reclaim their lives.

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To protect ourselves from becoming victims of sexual violence, there are several steps that we as women can take. It is important to remember that the responsibility for preventing sexual violence lies with the perpetrators, not the victims. However, being proactive and informed can help us reduce the risks.

1. Education and Awareness: Educate yourself about sexual violence, its causes, and its impact. Stay informed about local resources and support networks available for survivors.

2. Self-defense and Safety Training: Consider taking self-defense classes that teach practical techniques to protect yourself. Learn strategies for staying safe in different environments, such as walking alone at night or using public transportation.

3. Trust Your Instincts: Learn to trust your instincts and listen to your intuition. If a situation or person feels unsafe, remove yourself from it or get help immediately.

4. Set Boundaries and Communicate: Clearly communicate your boundaries to others and assertively say "no" when you feel uncomfortable. Avoid compromising situations or individuals who do not respect your boundaries. Never be afraid to say no, or hurt someones feelings in this situation. The only person that matters is you!

5. Use Technology Safety Measures: Be cautious with your personal information online. Set strict privacy settings on social media platforms and avoid sharing sensitive details with people you don't trust.

6. Travel Safety: Plan your travel in advance and research the safety measures specific to your destination. Inform a trusted friend or family member about your itinerary and keep them updated about your whereabouts.

7. Supportive Networks: Build a support system of friends, family, and allies who can provide assistance, guidance, and emotional support if needed.

8. Consider sharing your location on an app such as Find My, or Life360 with someone you know and trust. If that doesn't work, try to get in the habit of letting a loved one know where you are, what you're doing, and who you're with before going out.

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The impacts of sexual violence against women can have severe consequences on both the victims and their families. Victims of sexual violence often experience physical, psychological, and emotional trauma. They may suffer from physical injuries, such as bruises, scratches, or even broken bones. In addition to the physical harm, victims may also face long-lasting psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even suicidal thoughts.

The impact of sexual violence extends beyond the individual victim. The family members of victims may also experience significant distress and trauma. Witnessing a loved one suffer from such a traumatic event can cause immense emotional pain and internal conflicts within the family. It can strain relationships, create feelings of guilt or blame, and lead to a loss of trust and security within the family.

Furthermore, survivors may face difficulties in forming intimate relationships, trust issues, and challenges in rebuilding their lives. Families, on the other hand, may continue to experience the emotional, psychological, and financial burdens associated with supporting a survivor.

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It is important to understand that sexual violence can happen to anybody, not just one person is subject to it. However, for this presentation, the focus will be on sexual violence against women. Sexual violence is the act of any sexual activity between at least two people, and one of the people involved is not doing so voluntarily. Often times, many people think of this as just a physical act. Sexual violence can be both physical and non-physical. There are times when this occurs with someone who may have a higher authority over a female. They will abuse their power in making an attempt to manipulate or bribe the other to get their way. However, violent acts to make the victim do what they want can happen as well. It is understandable that this is a delicate topic. But it is also one that we must educate ourselves about in this horrifying world.

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1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. (RAINN)

Globally, an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life (30 percent of women aged 15 and older). This figure does not include sexual harassment. ("Facts and Figures")

The rates of depression, anxiety disorders, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV are higher in women who have experienced violence compared to women who have not, as well as many other health problems that can last after the violence has ended. ("Facts and Figures")

Most violence against women is perpetrated by current or former husbands or intimate partners. More than 640 million or 26 percent of women aged 15 and older have been subjected to intimate partner violence. ("Facts and Figures")

Of those who have been in a relationship, almost one in four adolescent girls aged 15–19 (24 percent) has experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner or husband. Sixteen percent of young women aged 15 to 24 experienced this violence in the past 12 months. ("Facts and Figures")

At least 162 countries have passed laws on domestic violence, and 147 have laws on sexual harassment in the workplace. However, even when laws exist, this does not mean they are always compliant with international standards and recommendations or are implemented and enforced. ("Facts and Figures")

In 2020, for every 10 victims of human trafficking detected globally, about four were adult women and about two were girls. Most of the detected victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation (91 percent) are women. ("Facts and Figures")