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Sexual Assault Awareness
Posted By: | April 19, 2022
April is a time to appreciate the spring.
It’s a month of beautiful weather and signs of growth.
It’s also a time to observe Sexual Assault Awareness month and grow
in our understanding and prevention of sexual violence.
Experiencing sexual trauma is very difficult and can be confusing. If this is a situation you have faced, you are not alone. We are here to support and listen to you. And please know, this is not your fault. No matter the situation, you did not deserve this. You did not ask for this.
Sexual assault is any sexual contact or behavior that occurs without consent. Consent happens when one person gives permission to another person to do something. And – permission for sexual contact given only because of coercion or pressure is not consent. Consent cannot be given while a person is intoxicated. Even if someone is under the influence, a nonconsensual sexual incident is still not OK. For more on consent, visit our previous blog on the topic here.
RISK
College-age women have an elevated risk of sexual violence,
and research shows incidents of sexual violence, date rape, coercion for sex –
however it is described – are often reported on university campuses.
In Lubbock, women between the ages or 18 and 25 report the highest number of sexual assaults among all age groups.
In 2017, that number was 116 women.
Statistically over half the victims are assaulted by an acquaintance, relative, or friend.
In addition to the physical after effect of sexual assault: pain from bruises or injury to the body (internal and external), pregnancy concerns, exposure to sexually transmitted infections, there is also likely to be long term emotional and mental impact. The Mayo Clinic lists sexual violence as one of the three most common traumatic events leading to post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can appear in a variety of ways and can cause anxiety, disruptions in sleep, nightmares, reliving the memories of the traumatic event. This trauma can impact a person’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Therapy can effectively address the trauma of sexual assault. There is hope for those who have been impacted by sexual violence. Always. There is strength in seeking help, not shame.
If you are a victim of sexual assault and seeking help, contact Voice of Hope on their 24-hour crisis hotline, 806.763.7273, for assistance. For immediate response to violence or a threat of violence contact local law enforcement. Parkridge can provide pregnancy testing, ultrasound confirmation, and STD testing and treatment, and is a confidential resource for follow up on concerns after initial medical treatment is received. Parkridge also offers counseling and therapy to help in processing past abortion decisions. Please reach out to us, we are here to help. Call us 806.794.8555 or make an appointment here.
We hope this information is helpful and is received in addition to other medical information. This blog is not intended to replace information received directly from a medical provider.
Other Lubbock resources:
Women’s Protective Services
Hotline: 806.747.6491
Office: 806.748.5292
Website: www.wpslubbock.org
Voice of Hope
Hotline: 806.763.7273
Office: 806.763.3232
Website: www.voiceofhopelubbock.org
RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline)
Phone: 800.656.4673
https://www.voiceofhopelubbock.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Statistics-2017.pdf
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/sexual-abuse
https://www.rainn.org/statistics/campus-sexual-violence
https://parkridge.org/request-an-appointment/
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