Download Sexual Violence: An overview

SEXUAL VIOLENCE:
EDUCATION AND
PREVENTION
THE COUNSELING CENTER
PURDUE UNIVERSITY NORTHWEST
SEXUAL VIOLENCE STATISTICS
• Victimization is higher among college-aged women (1824-year-olds) than among other age groups (Brener et
al., 1999).
• College women are at higher risk for sexual assault than
their non-college-bound peers (Fisher, Cullen, & Turner,
2000).
• College women come in contact with high numbers of
men on college campuses.
• Sexual assault is widely considered the most underreported violent crime in America (Karjane, Fisher, &
Cullen, 2005).
SEXUAL VIOLENCE STATISTICS
Did you know?...
• Every two minutes, someone in the United States
is sexually assaulted.
• Each year, there are about 213,000 victims of
sexual assault in this country.
• About 2/3 of sexual assaults are committed by a
person the victim knows.
• Approximately 38% of rapists are friends or
acquaintances of their victims (RAINN, 2009).
EDUCATE YOURSELF
Sexual violence primarily affects women, but any person can
become a victim of sexual violence. Sexual violence can occur to
a person regardless of their age, sex, gender, sexual orientation,
or religion. Men can also be victims of sexual violence.
In the United States, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have
reported an attempted or completed rape (Tjaden & Thoennes,
2000). These numbers are underestimated since most victims
do not report their sexual violence experiences to authorities.
Become educated on ways to help prevent the risk
of sexual violence occurring to you.
WHO MAY BE AT RISK FOR
PERPETRATING SEXUAL VIOLENCE?
The following are risk factors which may increase the probability
of a person engaging in sexual violence (CDC, 2011).
•
Being male
•
Having friends who are sexually aggressive
•
Witnessing or experiencing violence as a child
•
Alcohol or drug use
•
Being exposed to social norms, or having shared beliefs with
others which support sexual violence
HOW CAN I HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF
SEXUAL ASSAULT OCCURRING TO ME?
•
Always trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, do not try
to be ‘polite’ and stay. Remove yourself immediately and call university police
at (219) 989-2911, or local authorities at 911.
•
When going out to social events, try to go with friends you trust. If you go
alone, notify others of where you will be going.
•
If you plan on drinking alcoholic beverages, do not drink from open containers
of alcohol (e.g. open punch bowls). Open containers of alcohol can be easily
spiked with other drugs. Keep an eye on your drink at all times.
•
Be mindful of the amount of drinks you consume. Alcohol decreases your
ability to be fully aware of your environment.
•
Program emergency contacts into your phone. (Click on link)
•
Do not walk home alone. If you do not have a ride, there are local taxi
services you may utilize. (Click on link)
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
• Purdue University Northwest Police Department. When on or
near the university campus, call University police first as
emergency responders will be nearby to help as soon as
possible.
• Emergency: 911 (from a mobile phone); 9-911 (from a
campus phone)
• Anonymous Crime Hotline: (219) 989-2912
•
Hammond Police Department
• Emergency: 911
• Non-Emergency: (219) 853-6490
LOCAL TAXI SERVICES
• Yellow Cab of Northwest Indiana: (219) 932-9999
• Best Calumet Cab Company: (219) 932-2169
• Howard’s Cab: (219) 932-8050
REFERENCES
Brener, N. D., McMahon, P. M., Warren, C. W., & Douglas, K. A. (1999). Forced sexual intercourse and
associated health-risk behaviors among female college students in the United States. Journal of Consulting and
Clinical Psychology, 67, 252-259.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, February 9). Understanding Sexual Violence: Fact Sheet.
Retrieved August 19, 2011 from CDC Violence Prevention Website
Fisher, B. S., Cullen, F. T., & Turner, M. G. (2000). The sexual victimization of college women. (Publication No.
182369). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from NCJRS Website
Karjane, H. M., Fisher, B. S., & Cullen, F. T. (2005). Sexual assault on campus: What colleges and universities
are doing about it. (Publication No. 205521). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from
NCJRS Website
RAINN: Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network. (2009). Statistics. Retrieved from RAINN Statistics
Tjaden, P., & Thoennes, N. (2000). Extent, nature, and consequences of intimate partner violence. (Publication
No. 181867). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from NCJRS Website