How to Prevent Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is any unwanted behavior of a sexual nature that makes someone feel upset, scared or ashamed. It can take many forms including: being stared at, being sent inappropriate messages, being followed, getting hit and/or being touched without permission. Sexual violence affects people of all ages, cultures, sexualities, faiths, and genders. It is a global phenomenon that occurs in every country and community and can be used as a weapon of war or to control populations and destroy the social fabric.

When a person experiences sexual violence they can experience physical, psychological, emotional and economic impacts. People who have experienced sexual assault and abuse often feel shame, guilt and self-blame. They may have difficulty expressing their emotions and are at risk for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal thoughts. They can also experience a wide range of sexual and physical injuries such as sexually transmitted infections, bruises, cuts and broken bones. They may have to leave their job or school due to missed classes and/or lost wages.

Survivors often feel alone, confused, depressed or anxious and have trouble sleeping. They might lose weight or have trouble concentrating. They may not be able to make decisions and find it hard to trust others. Sexual violence and abuse is also a family issue and can have a negative impact on the lives of the survivor’s parents, siblings, children, partners, friends and co-workers.

It is important to remember that no one deserves to be raped or assaulted and it is never the victim’s fault. It doesn’t matter what they were wearing, who they were with or whether they drank alcohol or took drugs. Many survivors “freeze” during an attack and don’t fight back, because they are afraid of being hurt or losing control. This is because the brain goes into survival mode during an ordeal and takes over automatically. Often it is not possible to physically fight a perpetrator because of their size and strength or because of the fact that they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

All people can help prevent sexual violence. They can learn to recognize the warning signs and keep themselves safe by making sure they are always aware of their surroundings. They can teach their children that sexual contact must be agreed upon freely and willingly by both people. They can support the efforts of organizations that advocate for sexual violence prevention and educate survivors. They can volunteer their time, donate money or lobby legislators to create laws that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable. They can raise awareness about the issues of sexual assault and harassment by talking about it with their families and friends and by challenging images of violence against women in advertising, pornography, professional wrestling and other types of media. They can also help by supporting each other and encouraging each other to intervene when they see a friend at risk of sexual assault. Bystander intervention is safely stepping in to help while protecting your own safety.