Sexual violence recognizes no income, age, gender sexual preference or cultural boundaries.
The effects of sexual violence go far beyond the victim, creating a public health problem that threatens the quality of all of our lives. Among ninth graders who have used multiple substances such as alcohol, marijuana, stimulants and other drugs, girls are five times more likely and boys 12 times more likely to have been sexually abused. Victims of sexual violence may experience a wide range of serious health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, chronic pain and injury. The Minnesota Department of Health is supporting local communities and working together with the Minnesota Center for Crime Victim Services, the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault and other organizations to develop innovative strategies to prevent sexual violence. The centerpiece of our effort is a dramatic television program that will engage people in a productive discussion about sexual violence.