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Did you know that April is National Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month?

Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child.

1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime (14.8% completed, 2.8% attempted).
About 3% of American men — or 1 in 33 — have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.

Meanwhile, only 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison.

Showing Support

It’s not always easy to know what to say when someone tells you they’ve been sexually assaulted, especially when that person is a family member, friend or loved one.

But there are ways to show support:

Listen. Communicate with your loved one without judgment.
Be there. If the survivor seeks medical attention or plans to report, offer to be there. Your presence can offer the support they need.
Offer support. Encourage the survivor to get support. But realize that only they can make the decision to get help
Be patient. Remember, there is no timetable for recovering from trauma. Avoid putting pressure on them to engage in activities they aren’t ready to do yet.
Encourage self-care. Following an assault it is important to practice good self-care during this difficult time.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence — you are not alone. Help is available.

Local Hotline & Resources

Locally, Crime Victims Assistance Center provides free counseling, 24/7 crisis support, victims advocacy, as well as prevention education for those affected by crime throughout the Southern Tier.

CVAC: