The Forgotten Survivors of Sexual Violence
- It's On Us
- Apr 4, 2022
- 2 min read
TW: this post includes topics relating to interpersonal violence and mentions of sexual assault.
This Sexual Assault Awareness Month and every month, we want to recognize and bring awareness to the marginalized and often overlooked groups of survivors of sexual violence. Even in 2022, survivors everywhere are not recognized and are commonly ignored by society due to their ethnicity, race, religion, sexuality, and/or gender identity. The following statistics are only a few examples that show the high rates in which minority groups experience sexual violence...
Indigenous women are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual assault than any other race, 96% of attackers of Native women are non-Native American men
35% of Black women have experienced sexual violence, 1 in 4 before the age of 18
1 in 2 of trangender individuals experience sexual violence, only 57% of trangender and non-binary individuals report that they are uncomfortable asking the police for help
21-55% of Asian American women report experiencing sexual violence
Over 30% of Hispanic and multiracial women have experienced sexual violence
Although these are recent statistics, this discimmantion is based on historical sexism, misogyny, and racism that still persists in societies everywhere. For example, in Ohio efforts to address the rape kit backlog have revealed systemic injustice regarding the assault of Black women and girls over the years. Women and girls of color, those who are transgender or indentify as non-binary are rarely seen as victims. They are often dehuminaized and seen as deserving of violence and discrimination. The bias against minority women has devastating consequences including the incarceration of survivors themselves. The justice system continues to fail those who are more vulnerable to violence. Efforts and legislation to bring justice to survivors, such as the reauthorization of The Violence Against Women Act, are steps in the right direction. However, education and increased awareness are necessary to support survivors and to end this discrimmation, starting in your own circle and community.
If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, please visit our "Crisis Support" tab that has resources for reporting and getting the help you need. If you are a student at Clemson University, you can reach out to any of our leadership for support.
We believe you and we support you,
It’s On Us
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