Supporting Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Domestic Violence, Human trafficking, & other Trauma
DID YOU KNOW?...
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a single year. Here are some relevant statistics:
Prevalence: Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner and reported it having a related impact on their functioning. 9.4% of high school students reported being hit, slapped, or physically hurt intentionally by their partner in the previous 12 months. (Source: NCADV)
Lethality: During 2018–2021, a total of 3,991 female victims of intimate partner homicide were reported to NVDRS (Table). The median victim age was 38 years; 49.3% were non-Hispanic White (White), 29.9% were non-Hispanic Black or African American, (Black), 14.8% were Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic), and 6.0% comprised all other races and ethnicities. (Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report MMWR)
Barriers to Seeking Help: Domestic violence victims face unique barriers to seeking help, including fear of retaliation or escalation, lack of trust in law enforcement, concerns about privacy and confidentiality, the impact of mandatory arrest policies, and various socioeconomic and cultural challenges. Limited resources and inadequate support services further complicate their ability to access safety and assistance. (Source: YWCA Spokane)
Intersectionality: Experiencing multiple forms of oppression increases one’s vulnerability to violence and can make it more challenging for victims to find the help and support that is responsive to their individual needs. Domestic violence is linked to a web of oppressive systems such as racism, xenophobia, classism, ableism, sexism, and homophobia; therefore, it disproportionately affects women, children, and other marginalized groups. (Source: VAWnet.org)
Why We Do What We Do...
Sexual abuse and assault are unfortunately widespread issues that impact many women globally. Here are some statistics that shed light on the prevalence of these crimes:
Global Prevalence: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1 in 3 (35%) women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. According to ManKind Initiative, One in five men (21.7%) said they have been a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime (5.1 million). They consist of 41% of all victims.
National Statistics (United States):
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The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) reports that every 73 seconds, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted.
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In the U.S., 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have been raped at some time in their lives.
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About 51.1% of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance.
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The vast majority (91%) of victims of rape and sexual assault are female.
Underreporting: It's important to note that sexual assault is often underreported due to factors like fear of retaliation, stigma, and mistrust in the justice system. It's estimated that only 5-20% of sexual assaults are reported to authorities.
Impact on Mental Health: Survivors of sexual abuse and assault often experience long-term psychological consequences, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders.
Intersectionality: Victims of domestic violence are deeply connected to systems of oppression such as racism, poverty, sexism, classism, ableism, xenophobia, and homophobia. These overlapping injustices increase a person’s vulnerability to abuse and create significant barriers to safety, healing, and justice. Survivors—whether women, men, or youth—often face compounded challenges when their identities intersect in ways that society marginalizes.