Rape and physical sexual assault are crimes of violence intended to terrify and control survivors.
Sexual violence affects thousands of Massachusetts residents each year.
It may cause severe emotional and physical stress that can last for years. Due to issues such as fear, danger, shame, and disbelief, traditional social supports such as family, partners, and community institutions may be or may seem unavailable to many survivors. This is reflected, for example, in the low rates of reporting sexual crimes to law enforcement. The first rape crisis centers began operating in the early 1970s, largely as grassroots, volunteer organizations. The Massachusetts Legislature began allocating funding for rape crisis centers in 1982.