Sexual Violence
**Click here for Sexual Assault Awareness Month materials.**What is Sexual Violence? Sexual Violence is any sexual contact forced upon a person against his or her will or when a victim is unable to consent due to age, illness, disability, or the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Sexual violence is not just rape or attempted rape, it also includes intentional touching of the genitals, anus, groin, or breast, voyeurism, exposure to exhibitionism, or undesired exposure to pornography. Sexual Violence may involve actual or threatened physical force but it can also be verbal coercion, intimidation, or pressure.
Sexual violence perpetrators may be a stranger, friend, family member, or intimate partner, but, according to the 2000 National Crime Victimization Survey, most perpetrators know their victims. Sexual Violence is a huge issue in our society. In 2000, the National Violence Against Women Survey found that, in the United States, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men experiences an attempted or completed rape at some time in their lives. In 2000, more than 260,000 rapes or sexual assaults occurred, 246,180 to females and 14,770 to males and those numbers are low because fewer than half of all rapes and sexual assaults are reported to the police (DOJ 2001.)
Statutes
Sexual Violence, no matter what form, is a crime. Click here for a list of the applicable Montana statutes.
Montana Statistics
Direct service programs across the state have been busy. In calendar year 2003, they reported (through PDQ) helping 18,044 individuals, providing them with 215,186 separate services - such as shelter, personal advocacy, transportation, crisis counseling, and legal advocacy.
Over 2,552 of those individuals sought help because of sexual violence. This represents an increase of about 18 percent over 2002.
Related Topics
Sexual Violence is a complex issue and its presence permeates our society in many ways and has many consequences. Below is a list of related topics that you can click on for further information. It is by no means complete and, as we collect information, we will be adding and adapting this material.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
Trafficking and Prostitution
Elder Abuse
Dating Violence
Child Sexual Abuse
Sexual Violence Resources
Since you are here, you are probably interested in
building a better understanding of sexual violence and the many
interrelated topics. Below are some of the resources that we use on a
regular basis. This is not an exhaustive list and we would welcome any
comments or additions you might suggest. (Please e-mail your
suggestions to MCADSV)
Reports and Publications
A number of organizations and groups are conducting studies and
publishing reports and papers that contain helpful information. Below
are links to some of the ones we've found most helpful or most
interesting.
2007 Annual Report of Sexual Assault in the Military
Links
A lot of groups are working in this field and have Web sites that could
provide important information. Below are some links to Web sites we use
most often for information, insight, and ideas.
National
Center for Injury Prevention and Control
The
Family Violence Prevention Fund
The American
Bar Association
The National
Center for Victims of Crime
SAFETY ALERT: Home computers can pose a safety threat if you are being abused. When you visit this or any other site about domestic or sexual violence, it is possible for your abuser to find out that you have been getting information on domestic or sexual violence. There are some precautions you can take (click here for more information).
If you feel you are in danger after reading this, please call your local crisis hotline or the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). If the danger is immediate, call 911.
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