21 Facts On Rape Every Woman Should Know

21 Facts On Rape

Every Woman

Should Know…

March 6, 2019

These are the most recent statistics on rape according to The National Sexual Violence Resource Center:   

Sexual Assault in the United States:

• One in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives (a)
• In the U.S., one in three women and one in six men experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime (o)
• 51.1% of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance (a)
• 52.4% of male victims report being raped by an acquaintance and 15.1% by a stranger (a)
• Almost half (49.5%) of multiracial women and over 45% of American Indian/Alaska Native women were subjected to some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime )
• 91% of victims of rape and sexual assault are female, and nine percent are male (m)
• In eight out of 10 cases of rape, the victim knew the perpetrator.
• Eight percent of rapes occur while the victim is at work.

Things To Know…

• Remember that a person who is raped is the victim, and is not at fault in this violent crime. Here are some common-sense tips that can help keep you from being a target:
• Trust your instincts. If a situation or place makes you feel uneasy, move quickly.
• Make sure all the doors in your home or apartment have dead-bolt locks and use them. Install a peephole in the door and keep entrances well lighted.  Be careful who you open your door to.
• Be wary of isolated spots – laundry rooms, underground garages and parking lots after business hours. Always walk with a friend or security guard, especially when you stay at hotels.
• If you come home and see a door window open or broken, don’t go in. Call the police.
• Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas.
• If you think you’re being followed, change direction and head for open stores, restaurants, theaters or an occupied house, or the street. Flag down a car if you have to.

There is no one right or wrong answer in handling a rape attempt.  How you decide to react depends on your physical and emotional capacities.

• Keep the following tactics in mind:
• Make noise to discourage your attacker.  Try to escape.
• Talk, stall for time, and constantly reassess your options.
• The presence of a weapon may mean you have to submit in order to survive. This is your choice.
• If you decide to fight back, strike hard, strike fast and get away. Target the eyes, groin or knee.
• If you are victimized, report it to the police and seek help from a local rape crisis center or hospital.