Sexual violence will not disappear overnight, because it took 190 years for this country to recognize that rape is a crime. Surely it will take many more years to dispel the myths and relearn the truth about sex, gender and society. In 1992 Victims Research Center of the National Victim Center found that statistically 1.3 adult women are raped every minute. Harlow found that women between the ages of 16 and 24 were three times more likely to be raped than women in other age cohorts.
Rape violates one's right to say no.
It is the sexual expression of aggression, not the aggressive expression of sexuality. It is forcing someone into sexual activities without verbal or non-verbal consent. It is a violent act of degradation and humiliation against the victim and an act of power and control from the perpetrator. Sexual assault is often treated as a dirty secret in this victim-blaming society. Sexual assault is increasing throughout our community and it is time to take control of our safety.