FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION:
How should I respond if a man I know tells me he has been assaulted? |
About Policy at the AllianceEvery member of our society deserves the right to live in a world free from sexual violence and sexual exploitation. Until the violence stops, our society has the responsibility to ensure that survivors of sexual assault and sexual violence get the support and assistance they require in the aftermath of these terrible crimes. Additionally, we must strive to educate every member of society regarding the severity of sexual assault and sexual violence and the long-range impact it has on individuals, families, and society.Sexual assault can and does happen to both men and women of all ages. This crime can be perpetrated by anyone; a neighbor, friend, parent, husband, wife, brother, sister, teacher and strangers. In 2003, according to the Criminal Victimization Survey nearly 200,000 rapes or attempted rapes were reported in the United States, 94% of the completed rapes and 91% of attempted rapes, occurred against women. The survey also found that 10-20% of all men will be sexually violated at some point in their lives. In New York City in 2004 there were 1,309 rapes reported to the NYPD and to date in 2005 there have been 1,256 reported rapes this year. Nevertheless, it is estimated that nationwide only 1 in 10 women will report their rape to law enforcement officials (Bufkin and Bray, 1998). Only about 1.5% (weighted estimate) to17.2% (non-weighted estimate) of survivors seek out post-rape medical care within 48 hours of the attack (Resnick, Kilpatrick, Clum, Acierno, Best, and Saunders, 2000). These estimates are even lower, for gay men, lesbians, transgendered, non-English speaking individuals, and other marginalized members of society. Considering the low rates of reporting it is difficult to fully grasp the gravity of this problem throughout the United States and here within New York City. Sexual assault and sexual violence continues to be a major problem in New York City and throughout the United States. Sexual assault and sexual violence is a widespread and devastating problem that affects not only victims, but the broader community. Society fails to see the vital connections between sexual violence and other social problems including homelessness, poverty, substance abuse, mental health, and overall physical health concerns even when it is the root cause. Survivors can suffer both short-term and long-term psychological and physical effects. It is estimated that female-headed households comprise 63% of families living in poverty (Miranda & Green, 1999). Furthermore, past research has demonstrated that 50% of women who are homeless are trying to escape an abusive husband or partner (Bufkin & Bray, 1998). Finally, poor women who have been victimized are more likely to be suffering from mental illness but are least likely to seek help for fear of re-traumatization or fear of betraying their perpetrator by discussing the violence that occurred to them (Miranda & Green, 1999). Survivors do not receive the response and the services that they deserve. In New York City the only city funding provided for direct services for adult and child survivors of sexual assault comes from the City Council. The City Council also provides funding to the Alliance for advocacy, education and research efforts in intervention and prevention. The funding, while welcome and a good first step, is drastically insufficient for the treatment and prevention of sexual assault. As a result, the city’s network of free services relies almost exclusively on state resources. Less than 1 in 4 New York City Hospitals have rape crisis programs in their emergency departments and some geographic areas are not served at all. As of June 2005 only eleven programs in New York City had accredited SAFE Centers of Excellence for assisting survivors of rape and sexual assault. Service providers in New York City need to recognize the wide-ranging impact of sexual assault and sexual violence on its victims. Specialized services that are geographically accessible, culturally sensitive, affordable and/or free are an appropriate response to sexual violence. It is absolutely necessary that public policies and public programs reflect the needs of survivors and foster environments in which survivors are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. The Alliance advocates and supports legislation that will not only prevent perpetrators from committing crimes and assist victims of crimes, but other policies and efforts that will help to create a culture in New York City where sexual assault and sexual violence is not tolerated, whether this violence is in one’s home, apartment, workplace, school, university, religious institution, on the street, or on the subway. Finally, the most effective way to control the human and economic cost of rape is to prevent sexual violence from occurring in the first place. Current spending on rape prevention programs is totally inadequate as compared to the costs of sexual violence. Programs such as rape and sexual assault awareness and prevention for children and youth, public education and awareness campaigns, and programs that work to change the social norms that often fail to condemn if not openly support a sexually violence society are needed in much greater scope, numbers and intensity to actually have an impact on rates of sexual violence. Public policy must strive to address the high occurrence of sexual assault and sexual violence by educating the general public regarding these devastating crimes and providing adequate resources for prevention programs. |
Voices and Faces:
Sasha Walters 
"There is nothing that you could ever do that would make it OK for someone to rape you. Nothing. It doesn't matter where you were, or what you did. For me, realizing this was the beginning of healing."
Read more about Sasha at The Voices and Faces Project »
SAYSO 2008 Album 3
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