Do you know someone who is a survivor of sexual violence?
The answer to that question is yes, whether you’re aware of it or not.
That’s because sexual assault, rape, and other forms of sexual violence are frighteningly common. Sickeningly common.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to raise public consciousness about sexual violence with the goal of preventing and ultimately eliminating it.
Take my quick quiz to see just how much you know about sexual violence. Then share with others in order to educate and empower more people to start speaking out against sexual violence of all kinds.
How Much Do You Know About Sexual Violence? [Quiz]
1. Before the age of 18, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in how many boys will experience a sexual assault?Ways to Respond to Sexual Violence
If someone confides in you that they are a victim of sexual violence, keep these tips in mind as you respond.
- Create a safe space for them to share their story with you.
- Believe them.
- Allow them to share as much or as little as they are comfortable with.
- Be open and honest about your responsibility to share what you are told (i.e. you may be mandated to report anything you learn about the mistreatment of a child).
- Connect them to available resources and encourage them to reach out to a trained professional.
Where to Turn If You Are a Victim
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center can help you find the information and resources you need. They also have an online directory of vetted organizations and projects working to eliminate sexual violence across the country.
How did you do on the quiz? Do you think we have a “culture of silence” when it comes to sexual violence?
image via Barta IV on flickr
17 responses to “How Much Do You Know About Sexual Violence? [Take the Quiz]”
Thanks for sharing this, Katie. This is such an important topic and one I am unfortunately all to familiar with. I did pretty well on the quiz; only one answer incorrect, and those are great facts for everyone to know.
I got #6 wrong. I checked out the study sourced in the quiz but it didn’t really give an answer as to why.
These kinds of stats are heartbreaking. I do know at least a handful of people who have been victims of sexual violence. As a parent, it’s mind numbing to think that anyone would do this to anyone else, much less your kids.
I wrote a post about this a while back when my kid was still a toddler:
http://sleepingshouldbeeasy.com/2012/07/11/child-sexual-abuse-what-you-can-do-protect-kids/
After having re-read that old post of mine, I could still continue to apply those tips. Now that my eldest is a bit older, I’ve been giving him more practical tips, mostly when we get to a crowded place and I don’t want him to talk to or go with anyone, no matter how nice they seem. And we review what he should do if he gets lost. Stuff like that.
Thanks for writing this. Katie. I may have to think about this more now that my kid is more cognizant of his environment than he was when he was still a toddler.
Thank you so much for sharing your post. I found your points really useful, especially the first one about emphasizing to your child that his/her body is his own to touch, no one else’s.
Such an incredible post. Thank you for sharing this information so clearly. Everyone SHOULD read this, even though it is hard…because it is hard.-Ashley
This is great info! I used to work in teaching and in youth ministry, so I feel like I have been well-schooled on this issue, but there is always more to learn!
I have an older daughter and a younger son, and I’ve never considered him exempt. Yes, there are people close to me who have been sexually assaulted. It is never far from my mind.
I got six right on the quiz.
Those statistics are sickening. And that we have to raise our children in this culture where sexual violence is so pervasive – how sad. Education is one way to fight it – thank you for doing that, Katie.
I’ve seen some of these stats before and yet they still surprise me. In the treatment center I work with, histories of sexual abuse and violence are extremely common among female clients. Unfortunately, we don’t talk about this subject enough to make people feel safe about telling the truth. Thanks for this post!
Great info…thank you for sharing this with us! I did get a couple wrong…it was eye opening. I will definitely share.
Wow, definitely eye opening. Thank you for sharing this.
Working in the inner city I certainly see the effects of #4. Great post. Thanks for bringing this horrid problem to the fore front. Happy SITS!
Thank you for this post. I sadly am aware of the statistics, being one myself. Now as a parent, I am determined to do all I can to prevent my own child from becoming a victim. Education is the first step. I didn’t even realize April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. I have been toying with the thought of addressing the topic anyway, this might have given me the push to do so. Thank you again.
I admire your strength as a survivor, and I hope you do address the topic, in whatever way seems fitting to you.
Many colleges overlook or don’t report sexual assault stats on campus for fear of scaring off potential students. This only compounds the issue because then there is no real awareness of it.
Yes, the statistics are horrifying, and clearly so bad that we as a culture name a month in which it’s a priority. Protecting children is so crucial but the other side of the coin is in teaching our boys that their desires are not justified just because they’re stronger. Teaching them about respect for everyone’s boundaries is as important as teaching them self-protection. And the reason this must be done in childhood is that the media will do nearly everything in its power to convince them otherwise as they grow into physically powerful men.
A true wake-up call. Most important, BELIEVE THEM.
[…] did I start thinking about this topic again? First, SSBE reader Katie mentioned disturbing statistics about sexual abuse in one of her blog […]