Sexual Abuse and Assault Information
1 IN 4 FEMALES AND 1 IN 7 MALES ARE AT RISK OF SEXUAL ABUSE BEFORE THE AGE OF 18 (those reported)
Did you know?
- In the United States, a woman is sexually assaulted every 2-3 minutes.
- 1 in 36 college women will experience attempted or completed rape in an academic year.
- There are more women in America who have been victims of sexual assault than women who wear glasses.
- About 2/3 of sexual assaults are committed by persons who are know to the victim.
- When you factor in unreported rapes, only 1 of 16 rapist will ever spend any time in jail (source: http://www.geocities.com/tear7506/factsheet1.htm)
Sexual Assault Can Happen:
- To anyone, any time (day or night), anywhere (home, on a date, at a party in a car, in public).
- Regardless of gender or sexual orientation, age, race, appearance, occupation.
- Even if you say “no” to an acquaintance or on a date.
- As a drug-facilitated offense (whether or not you know you are consuming it)
Find more information:
- Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network – http://www.rainn.org
- New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault – http://www.njcasa.org
- The National Center for Victims of Crime – http://www.ncvc.org
24-HOUR RAPE CRISIS HOTLINE: 201-487-2227
Bergen County Rape Crisis Center
If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted:
- Get to a safe place.
- Don’t bathe, shower, douce, change your clothes, eat, drink, smoke or urinate, if possible.
- Contact your local rape crisis program (In Bergen County, call 201-487-2227) for support, guidance, and information or to meet you at a hospital. The centers are free, confidential, and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For centers in New Jersey, click here.
- Get immediate medical attention for possible injuries, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. A medical exam is also necessary to gather physical evidence.
Survivors may experience some or all of the following reactions:
- Emotional shock
- Helplessness
- Fear
- Guilt
- Anxiety
- Shame
- Concerns about sexual intimacy
Your rights as a survivor of sexual violence:
- To be treated with respect and dignity.
- To be assured of confidentiality.
- To be allowed freedom of choice concerning the decisions that affect your life.
- To be made aware of all the medical, legal and social service options available.
- To be made aware of and to receive medical and counseling services whether or not the crime is reported to the police.
- To be treated without prejudice regarding race, class, life-style, age, or occupation.
Support is available, whether the victimization occurred several minutes or many years ago.
Adapted from a publication of the
NJ Division on Women
Office on the Prevention of Violence Against Women