Every 2.5 minutes someone in the United States is sexually assaulted.
Hubbard House, the certified domestic violence center serving Duval and Baker counties, will observe April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence (focusing on sexual assault and rape) and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.
Sexual assault can come in many forms including: Sexual Assault, Rape, Incest, Hate Crimes, Male Sexual Assault, Acquaintance Rape, Partner Rape, Child Sexual Abuse, Child Abuse, Sexual Exploitation by Helping Professionals, Sexual Harassment, Dating and Domestic Violence, Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault and Stranger Rape.
Sexual abuse is a common form of sexual assault and one of the four types of domestic violence, also including physical, emotional and economic abuse. While sexual assault may commonly be thought of as occurring between strangers, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) reports that 72 percent of victims are sexually assaulted by someone they know.
Sexual assault affects many aspects of a victim’s life. Victims of sexual assault are:
- Three times more likely to suffer from depression
- Six times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Thirteen times more likely to abuse alcohol
- Twenty six times more likely to abuse drugs
- Four times more likely to contemplate suicide
Sexual Assault is a preventable issue, the key is awareness. Don’t be afraid to speak up against sexual assault.
Resources:
Hubbard House Hotline: 1 (800) 500-1119, www.hubbardhouse.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1 (800) 656-4673, www.nsvrc.org/saam
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network Hotline: 1 (800) 656-HOPE, www.rainn.org
Women’s Center of Jacksonville’s Rape Crisis Hotline: 1 (888) 956-RAPE, www.womenscenterofjax.org
ABOUT HUBBARD HOUSE
Hubbard House is a nationally recognized leader in domestic violence intervention. Founded as the first domestic violence shelter in Florida in 1976, Hubbard House is a certified, comprehensive domestic violence center providing programs and services to more than 5,000 women, children, and men annually in Duval and Baker counties. While Hubbard House is most known for its emergency shelter, the agency also provides extensive adult and youth outreach services, school-based education, therapeutic childcare, batterers’ intervention programs, court advocacy and volunteer and community education opportunities. Visit www.hubbardhouse.org to learn more.
By Rachel Esser