Because many of these attacks occuring daily go unreported and unrecognized, sexual assault can be considered a silent-violent epidemic in the United States today. 1 out of every 3 American women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime. 1 in 7 women will be raped by her husband. 1 in 4 college women have either been raped or suffered attempted rape. 1 in 12 male students surveyed had committed acts that met the legal definition of rape.
Rape has a devastating impact on the mental health of victims.
When compared with non-victims, rape victims have been found to be 8.7 times more likely to attempt suicide. When the number of female children and males assaulted during that same period are added, it is likely that well over twice that many Americans were sexually assaulted. Nor does anyone's behavior justify or excuse the crime. People have a right to be safe from a sexual violation at any time, any place and under any circumstances. The offender, not the survivor, must be held responsible for this crime.