Part of an ongoing series dedicated to ending violence through education and community support.
Sexual assault is experienced by far too many of us — about half of women and girls. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, more than 53% of women report experiencing sexual violence. Most of those assaults will be perpetrated by people we know; participants reported 39% by an acquaintance and 33% by a partner. Locally, there were 147 felony sexual assaults cases filed in Northeast Florida last year (131 in Duval, 14 in Clay, and 2 in Nassau).
Sexual violence refers to any unwanted sexual contact, including harassment, abuse, and assault. Like other forms of violence in WGA’s focus area, sexual violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
Girls and young women ages 12-34 are at the highest risk of sexual violence, according to the Department of Justice. Of assaults reported by girls, 93% knew their perpetrator.
And yet, help and hope are available. Women and girls who have experienced this crime have safe places to go, where they will be believed and will have caring people walk alongside them. Locally, there are several certified sexual assault centers (see list below) where survivors can go to get help. These organizations and others also focus on prevention and education. Some programs specifically focus on prevention and education for teens and college-age students.
Whether we’ve experienced it or know someone who has, it’s key we communicate that no one deserves to be sexually assaulted or abused. Be mindful of the questions you ask when speaking with someone who has experienced sexual violence. There is no circumstance where someone has put themselves in a situation to cause the violence. It is the perpetrator alone that is responsible for the crime committed. We all deserve to be safe from violence in our homes, in our schools, and in our communities.
During sexual assault awareness month, consider how you can raise awareness about the violence women and girls face. If you are a parent of a teen, you might consider having conversations about what a healthy relationship looks like. Consider sharing social media posts from local organizations or sharing the local hotline in your county with your friends and family.
Northeast Florida 24-Hour Sexual Assault Hotlines:
Betty Griffin Center (St. Johns): (904) 824-1555
Florida Department of Health (Putnam): (386) 983-1358
Quigley House (Clay): (904) 284-0061
Women’s Center of Jacksonville (Baker, Duval, Nassau): (904) 721-7273