Every woman you know has a story about their experiences with sexual violence. This can include sexual harassment, unwanted sexual remarks, groping, rape, and much more. These situations can also happen anywhere, no place is safe. Women can experience sexual violence at their work place, home, or in public. Even today with people becoming much more progressive, sexual violence remains an issue in the U.S and around the world.
Sexual violence is so common in fact, that in the United States alone over half the population of women have experienced sexual violence, and 1 in 3 women have experience with sexual harassment in public spaces, according to the CDC website (CDC.gov). As a woman myself, I know this issue all too well. I have my own experiences with creeps, sexual remarks from strange men. Every woman I know also shares this sentiment. The sentiment of not feeling safe while being out in public, or being extra cautious with your drink when you are just out and trying to have a good time with your girls. This issue of prominent sexual violence is worse when you are a woman of an ethnic group. According to the CDC, “…more than 2 in 5 non-hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native and non-Hispanic multiracial women were raped in their lifetime,” (CDC.gov). It is clear that the sexual violence issue we have in this country is due to sexism and racism, as well as power and violence. Sexual violence against women is an issue as old as our history.
Every woman you know has an experience with a form of sexual violence. So, when you walk down the street and see a woman, when you spend time with your sister, your mother, they may have a story of their own that they keep inside out of shame or embarrassment. Hopefully, if the time comes, they will be willing to tell their story to you, so they may finally let it out to someone who is willing to listen.
Preventing Sexual Violence – Fast Facts
