Becoming a Rape Advocate – Day 2

This week I attended the second training day to become a Rape Advocate.  We had two assistant district attorneys from the county come and speak to us about the difficulties of prosecuting rape and sexual assault cases as well as the process of trying a perpetrator.  I figured I’d share some of the information I was given. 

This information can be found here.

They got this information from RAINN, which is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.  You can check out the stats and get more information on their website www.rainn.org. 

Additionally, they shared that 36% of rapes are among family or intimates and 42% of rapes are among friends or acquaintances.  So basically, a victim of rape and sexual assault is more likely to know the person than not. 

So what does all this mean?  Well, it means that perpetrators of sexual violence are less likely to go to prison than other criminals.  And in the majority of sexual assault cases the victims have named their rapist unlike victims of robbery who rarely know the identity of the perpetrator.  The DA’s told us that sexual violence crimes are some of the hardest to try and even more difficult to receive a conviction. 

I’m sure you’re asking why, if victims name the person who assaulted them, is it so hard to convict more of these people?  Well, all you really have to do is check out social media.  Every day we are treated to stories about victims of rape who didn’t report immediately and those who do/did report are basically raked over the coals – accused of bringing it on themselves by virtue of the clothes they are wearing, their levels of intoxication, etc.  Those who don’t report immediately are accused of lying in order to ruin a person’s life, to gain money and/or fame, etc.  The stories of men false accused are dredged back up as if this is the majority of what happens in rape cases rather than the minority.  And just to remind everyone, only 2-8% of sexual assault accusations are false.  So which is more likely? 

As a survivor, I can tell you that I was scared, confused, and ashamed.  I didn’t know what to do or say.  I was afraid of what would happen if I said anything.  I was afraid I wouldn’t be believed or that nothing would be done.   

From the RAINN website (based on information gathered from victims from 2005-2010):

• 20% feared retaliation
• 13% believed the police would not do anything to help
• 2% believed the police could not do anything to help

This month is Sexual Violence Awareness Month.  I ask that people do their research, listen to the stories of survivors with open minds and open hearts rather than cynicism and judgment.  Please wear teal to bring awareness, volunteer at a women’s shelter, and do research about sexual violence against women and children.