Every 73 seconds someone in America is sexually assaulted. This can mean a lot of different things. sexual assault can be attempted rape, unwanted touching, rape, non consenual sex. As a woman, sexual assault has always been a big fear of mine. This fear affects my thoughts and actions. Millions of people are in some way indirectly or directly affected by sexual assault. ` 

I have been fortunate enough to never experience sexual assault personally. However, it has been a part of my life for many years. It happens so often it’s hard not to learn about it from a young age. I’ve always been interested in the topic in general. Why people commit sexual assault, why it’s so hard for people to believe survivors, why people always believe men over women, and how it feels to talk about you’re personal story. I have grown up watching brave women be ignored and attacked to protect the reputation of men. I believe a large part of it is that people tend to men over women constantly. Another reason is because it is easier to not believe someone is capable of that, especially if you are friends with them or know them at all. The trauma of sexual assault as well as the hardship of either coming forward to talk about it or keeping to yourself is known to be traumatic to it’s victims. 

People who have been sexually assaulted are more likely to use a form of drugs. (rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence) 13% of women who have been sexually assaulted attempt suicide, 33% consider it. These statistics among others show the terrifying effects of sexual assault. Being assaulted has life long or fatal effects. Many people however, don’t believe survivors. While the numbers are increasing, many women who come forward are never believed. For example, 68% of Americans believe Donald Trump sexually assaulted several women. However, 1 out of 5 people that believe this still voted for him. If people choose to believe survivors, they still might not change their thoughts or opinions of the attacker. Many things come into play when deciding, as a victim, whether or not to come forward and share your story. Is it going to be told correctly and accurately? Is it going to be believed by anyone? Are they going to get attacked, sued, threatened, or have their life ruined? Will it be worth it? Often, people feel safer coming forward after others have shared their stories about similar situations or even the same person. This way they know partly how people will react and if it will be worth it to share their story. Sometimes when people come forward after others, they are accused of lying to gain fame or money. This is also being accused of people that come forward after years of silence. There are many reasons survivors stay quiet for years before they talk about it. First, it takes years to put the trauma aside and even be able to talk about it for some people. Another reason is that our world is changing and slowly becoming more accepting and willing to believe survivors. Our society is more accepting than it was years ago. Finally, some assaulters are finally being held accountable. While a majority of attackers walk free after being called out by multiple people, some are resigning, apologizing, and more after public outrage. If the attackers reputations aren’t hurt, the survivors are. 

In my novel; All The Rage by Courtney Summers, a girl decides to come forward about being sexually assaulted only to be bullied and harassed for lying about it. She is assaulted by the town sheriff’s son. I think the fathers status in the town makes people want to believe her less because it’s easier for them. The sheriff is popular and connected and his son is spoiled because of it. His son, Kellan, has been raised with an overall privilege including male privilege. The girl Romy, shared her story and nobody got in trouble. There were no consequences for the boy’s actions, which will only make him think he is entitled to do it again. Later, when Romy tries to run to the boy she likes for safety, she’s only reminded of Kellan. “He covers her mouth. That’s how you get a girl to stop crying; you cover her mouth until the sound dies against your palm. He says, okay? Okay. when he’s sure she’s going to be quiet, he lets her breathe again. He tells her, it’s okay.” (pg. 272). This shows the amount of trauma she endured and is scarred with permanently. One can only guess how long it will take to feel comfortable with someone for her. How long it will take to redefine the way she views what being intimate is. Finally, how long it will take her to understand that what she went through is not how she should feel. She should not feel forced or scared, she should not feel uncomfortable or be waiting for it to be over. She should feel loved and safe. She should feel respected and listened to. She should over everything, feel comfortable.  

There are many things to think about on the topic of sexual assault. This issue is different from others in the way it’s viewed and treated. Unlike any other crime, people are very skeptical to believe survivors even though sexual assault is one of the most biggest crimes discussed in media. With everyone’s varying opinions, this topic is extremely interesting to me. Why are people so quick to dismiss reports and judge survivors while they can only imagine what they’ve been through, and see only the good in attackers. 

Citations: 

“Sexual Assault.” RAINN, www.rainn.org/articles/sexual-assault.

“Victims of Sexual Violence: Statistics.” RAINN, www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence.

“Why We Often Don't Believe Women Who Report Sexual Assault.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 28 June 2019, www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-we-often-dont-believe-women-who-report-sexual-assault.

Subject, Courtesy of the. “Coming Forward About Sexual Assault, and What Comes After.” The Cut, 30 Sept. 2019, www.thecut.com/2019/09/coming-forward-about-sexual-assault-and-what-comes-after.html.