Sexual assault awareness month
Sexual violence at its core is an abuse of power, and it affects everyone
Alena Botros / Opinion Editor / The USD Vista
One out of every five women in America has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. That is a terrifying statistic, but it is our reality.
One in 67 men in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape at one point in their lives. Every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. Again, terrifying statistics that are unfortunately necessary to know.
I am 21 years old, a senior in college, and I have met several women who are victims of sexual violence. These women have faced sexual violence both on college campuses and off, there is no restriction to where this violence can occur.
This year, this month marks the official 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual Assault Awareness Month focuses on awareness and prevention of sexual assualt, harrassment, and abuse. And, even though it was only 20 years ago when these concerns were developed into a month dedicated to fighting sexual violence, these issues began long ago.
Women in the 1970s began “Take Back the Night” marches, protesting against the violence women face by simply walking the streets at night. These protests continued to expand leading to a week in April being designated to sexual assault awareness, until finally in 2001, April was declared the official month for sexual assault awareness, the teal ribbon becoming the symbol of the month and movement.
As a woman, I’ve never felt completely safe. I can’t walk at night, not alone. When I’m at a party or a bar, I never leave my drink unattended and never drink something that isn’t poured or opened in front of me. These are things that I, and all women, have to do to protect ourselves, and even then it isn’t always enough.
I have moved past the point of why because asking why hasn’t protected me. I used to wonder why it is that we have to worry about the things I mentioned above, why we have to take extreme precautions. I still have no answer, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to raise awareness in hopes of preventing sexual assault and sexual harrassment.
Every woman in their lifetime has faced some sort of sexual harassment, whether it be a situation at work or school with a superior, or even just being honked at or whistled at by strangers. It is unacceptable, and we finally live in a time where these situations are considered harassment, whereas thirty years ago women were constantly told, “boys will be boys.”
We have fought back against these biases and horrific standards, but the fight is not over. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is just one month out of 12 during which we can be consistently focusing on change.
We have the opportunity to stand together and protect one another from this violence, but we also have the opportunity to stand together and support those who have been affected by sexual assault. Survivors sometimes feel guilt or shame, and we have to change that. Survivors can suffer from anxiety and depression because of the trauma that can eventually lead to greater physical problems. Sexual Assault Awareness Month does not have to be limited to prevention, but also extended to acknowledgement, support, and understanding.
The hope is to raise awareness for any and every kind of sexual assault, and with awareness there is a hope that less will be victimized from such violence.
Things are changing rapidly, and they will continue to change. But acts of sexual violence are still commited every single day. Sexual Assault Awareness Month gives people the chance to use their voices to help put an end to sexual violence.
The views expressed in the editorial and op-ed sections are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego, or its student body.