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SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH (SAAM)

The  purpose of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and

 to educate  communities and individuals on sexual violence prevention.

WHAT IS SEXUAL ABUSE? 


Sexual abuse is any sexual activity (verbal, visual or physical) engaged in without consent, which may be emotionally or physically harmful and which exploits a person in order to meet another person's sexual or emotional needs. 

                                                                           Shelter from the Storm©


SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE ARE: 

  • 3 times more likely to suffer from depression
  • 6 times more likely to suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol
  • 26 times more likely to abuse drugs
  • 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide                               
   **Statistics by www.rainn.org 

STATISTICS

  • 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse (verbal, visual or and/or physical) before age 18                     
  • 90% of reported cases the victim knew their attackers

                                                                          ** Statistics: 2000, National Center for Victims of Crime


View more statistics at: Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)


Statistics indicate the majority of sex offenders are male. However, women can and do sexually abuse children either:


1) directly by initiating or participating in the offense

2) indirectly by failing to intervene upon knowledge sexual abuse is occurring 

ABUSER PROFILES

Contrary to popular belief sex offenders are not “dirty old men hiding in bushes."


While stranger rape is a reality, sexual abuse is frequently committed by someone the victim knows & trust. (i.e., a parent, family member, step-parent, neighbor, brother, cousin, babysitter, friend, teacher, coach, clergy, etc.)


A person who commits sexual abuse can be male or female, rich or poor, young or old. Sexual abuse does not discriminate it crosses all:

  • educational status
  • socioeconomic levels
  • religion
  • race
  • gender
  • age

There are no physical characteristics that will identify an individual as a sex offender. Sex offenders (male and female) come from all walks of life and look like ordinary people. Sex offenders are rarely strangers.  They can come from any place within the family system and  from any place within society.   


The traits they possess in common are psychological rather than social, cultural, racial or economic.



GLOSSARY OF TERMS


SEXUAL ABUSE: A SILENT EPIDEMIC 

Sexual abuse is not an easy subject to talk about but we cannot remain quiet any longer and just turn a deaf ear to this silent and horrendous CRIME! Sadly, the heartbreaking reality is that the most vulnerable in society are being preyed upon and many lives have been and are being destroyed at an alarming rate.


Sexual abuse creates illegitimate guilt and shame in a person that will prevent them from seeking the help they need and deserve in order to heal from the traumatic event(s). There are many consequences due to sexual abuse but the most common are:

  • misplaced guilt and shame (responsibility belongs to the abuser not the person who was victimized)
  • anger
  • confusion
  • low self-esteem
  • fear and anxiety
  • depression
  • controlling behaviors
  • loneliness
  • numb (suppression of feelings)
  • distrust of people

LEGAL RESOURCES

Legal Aid for Survivors of Sexual Assault (LASSA) 

The LASSA hotline is answered by attorneys seven days a week. 

Please call (844) 303-SAFE (7233).  Visit website for more info.


Texas Advocacy Project

Free Legal Help - 800.374.HOPE (4673)

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