Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and this year is the official 20th anniversary of SAAM. This annual campaign is an important time to raise awareness about sexual assault, educate about consent, and work on ways we can prevent sexual assault, harrassment, and abuse from occurring (National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 2021). Sexual assault is a public health issue, a human rights issue, and a social justice issue that must be addressed and prevented (GWSPH, 2021). This violence impacts everyone, including the LGBTQ community. 

This violence can be extremely damaging to the physical health, mental health, and overall well-being of victims and survivors. According to the National Intitmate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, LGBTQ+ respondents reported rates of sexual violence that were the same or higher than heterosexual respondents (NISVS, n.d.).

  • 44% of lesbian women and 61% of bisexual women experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, compared with 35% of heterosexual women 

  • 26% of gay men and 37% of bisexual men experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, compared with 35% of heterosexual men

  • 46% of bisexual women have been raped, compared to 17% of straight women and 13% of lesbians

  • 22% of bisexual women have been raped by an intimate partner, compared to 9% of straight women

  • 40% of gay men and 47% of bisexual men have experienced sexual violence other than rape, compared to 21% of straight men.

The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found high rates of sexul violence experienced by transgender individuals as well, with 47% of transgender respondents having been sexually assaulted in their lifetime (James et al., 2016). For each of these statistics, the numbers may be higher due to underreporting. 

This crisis is multifaceted so there is no quick solution. Prevention efforts and services need to be specific and inclusive of LGBTQ+ needs. Some of the opportunities for prevention and action recommended by the NISVS include “implementing prevention approaches that promote acceptance and recognition of healthy, respectful relationships regardless of sexual orientation, including LGBTQ+ persons in national, state, and local violence research, and referring victims and survivors to culturally appropriate accessible services'' (NISVS, n.d.).

And finally, if someone tells you they’ve been sexually assaulted: listen to them, believe them, keep it confidential (unless it is a situation that involves mandatory reporting). Validate their feelings. Let them know you are there for them and will continue to support them (RAINN, 2021). 

Resources:

Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN)

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

National Domestic Violence Hotline

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC):

Sources:

GWSPH (2021). The GWSPH Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force continues to acknowledge Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Retrieved from https://publichealth.gwu.edu/blogs/deptannouncements/2021/04/14/the-gwsph-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-task-force-continues-to-acknowledge-sexual-assault-awareness-month/ 

James, S. E., Herman, J. L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., & Anafi, M. (2016). The Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality. Retrieved from https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/usts/USTS-Full-Report-Dec17.pdf 

NISVS (n.d.). An Overview of 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/cdc_nisvs_victimization_final-a.pdf

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2021). History of sexual assault awareness month. Retrieved from https://www.nsvrc.org/saam/historys 

RAINN (2021). LGBTQ survivors of sexual violence. Retrieved from https://www.rainn.org/articles/lgbtq-survivors-sexual-violence

Photo credit: National Sexual Violence Resource Center

Lucy Dollinger