Sexual Assault

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Experiencing sexual violence transforms people and changes their lives, forever. Sexual Assault is a crime of violence, not sex. Sexual Assault is about power and control, sex is the weapon.

The following facts reflect the magnitude of the problem:

• A sexual assault occurs every 1.6 minutes in this country
• Survivors in Florida range from 2 months to 94 years old
• 80% of sexual assault survivors know their assailant, at least by sight
• 1 in 4 women will be raped in her lifetime
• 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys will be sexually assaulted by the age of 13
• 10% – 14% of all married women have been raped by their husbands
• Nearly 1/3 of all rape survivors develop Rape-Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Cooperation DOES NOT mean consent
Rape is NEVER the victim’s fault

Sexual assault is a violent, unexpected, traumatic, and sometimes life threatening experience. Sexual assaults are directed against women, men, and children. Assaults include any type of unwanted sexual activity expressed by one person toward another either overtly or in a subtle manner. If you have experienced this type of assault, it is important for you to remember that… Cooperation is NOT consent!

Perpetrators sometimes use threats of physical harm, physical force or the use of a weapon. The fear of harm or even death may have prompted you to cooperate with the assailant. This does not in any way mean that you consented to the assault. Since rape can feel like… and can often be a life-threatening situation, whatever measure you took to survive was EXACTLY the right thing to do.