The Prevalence of Sexual Harassment and Assault in our Society
There are moments in life when we are confronted with events that make us feel vulnerable, exposed, and scared. Sexual harassment and sexual assault are two such events. Unfortunately, they are also all too common, particularly for women. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 1 in 5 women in the United States will be raped at some point in their lives, and 1 in 3 will experience some form of sexual violence. And these numbers are likely even higher, as many cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment go unreported.
Sexual harassment can take many forms, but it generally refers to unwelcome sexual advances or comments. It can happen in person or online and doesn't necessarily have to be physical. Sexual assault, on the other hand, is a type of sexual violence that includes any form of unwanted sexual contact, from groping to rape.
While sexual harassment and sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of their gender, age, or background, women are disproportionately affected. In fact, according to the National Women's Law Center, women of color and LGBTQ women are even more likely to be targeted.
There are several reasons why sexual harassment and sexual assault are so common, but one of the biggest is a culture of silence and victim-blaming. Too often, survivors feel it was their fault or that they should have known better. This needs to change.
Sexual harassment and sexual assault have been seen as taboo subjects. But the reality is that sexual harassment and sexual assault are happening everywhere, even within families. Many of us don't talk about it because we are afraid of what will happen if we do. We worry that people won't believe us or that they will blame us. Or that there will be severe consequences if we speak up, like losing a job.
We have seen many cases in recent years regarding this subject. In the #MeToo movement, for example, high-profile individuals in various industries were accused of sexual misconduct. The movement encouraged more people to come forward with their own stories of sexual harassment and assault. This, in turn, led to more awareness and conversation around the issue.
However, there is still a long way to go. We need to continue discussing sexual harassment and sexual assault to break the silence and the stigma surrounding these topics. We need to provide support for those who have been affected. And we need to work together to create a safe environment for everyone to prevent these things from happening in the first place.
When people are violated at home or work by people, they trust it could lead to enormous psychological effects. One in three women and one in six men have experienced sexual violence. This statistic does not include the many more who are sexually harassed. In other words, these are just the reported cases. In reality, many people never speak out about what has happened to them.
It is important to remember that no one deserves to be sexually harassed or assaulted, no matter what they wear, how much they have had to drink, or where they are. No one asks for it or deserves it. It is never the victim's fault.
With the advent of ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft, the environment for sexual assault happening is ripe in these rides. There have been many cases, some especially tragic. For this reason, Cutter Law has decided to make a comprehensive guide about sexual assault in ride sharing services with info about how to stay safe and options in case it happens. Check it out here.
Join us on Monday, September 12th at 6 pm on Zoom as we discuss sexual assault and molestation. We're creating a safe space to talk about sexual assault trauma and discuss resources that can help you overcome the pain of abuse.
**Listen to the playback here
