Newspapers / Wilkes Community College Student … / April 1, 2003, edition 1 / Page 8
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Cougar Cry 8 Sexual Assault Facts Submitted by: Dr. Lynda Black ♦ According to the NC Department of Health and Human Services, in North Carolina 1 in 5 women have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives. ♦ Over 10,000 North Carolinians were affected by sexual violence last year. ♦ NC Rape Crisis Centers reported 70% of vic tims knew their assailant last year. ♦ Only 46% of victims reported their case to NC law enforcement last year. Sexual Assault Pro gram Statewide Data: 7/01/01-6/30/02 (2002) NC Council for women; p.1 ♦ In 2001 there were a total of 75 convictions for 1st degree sex offense and 78 convictions for 2nd degree sex offense in North Carolina. ♦ In 2001, there were a total of 40 convictions for 1st degree rape and 82 convictions for 2nd de gree rape in North Carolina. Tallv of Offense Codes Used in the Criminal Index in 2001 North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts ♦ False accusations of sexual assault are esti mated to occur at the low rate of 2 percent - simi lar to the rate of false accusations of other violent crimes. First Response to Victims of Crime: A Handbook for Law Enforcement Officers on How to Approach and Help (2002) Office for Victims of Crime p. 8-9 ♦ In the United States rape is the most costly crime to its victims totaling $127 billion a year considering factors such as medical cost, lost earnings, pain, suffering and lost quality of life. Miller, Ted, Mark Cohen & Brian Wiersema. (January 1996) Victims Costs & Consequences: A New Look Washington. D.C.: National Institute of Justice Report, U.S. Department of Justice) If you or someone you care about has been as saulted please con tact S.A.F.E., your local law enforcennent agency or Lynda Black at WCC. ♦ Rape, childhood sexual abuse, and domestic violence are among the most common causes of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in women. The chances a woman will develop PTSD after being raped are between 50% and 95%. Sexual assault is closely associated with depression and anxiety disorder. (Population Information Pro gram. (2002) Population Reports: Ending Vio lence Against Women Center for Communication Programs, The John Hopkins School of Public Health and Center for Health and Gender Equal ity) ♦ The numbers that follow were provided by SAFE and they pertain to sexual assault in Wilkes County. ♦ Numbers reported to SAFE (face to face) that may not have been reported to the police: Rape: 10 Marital Rape: 8 Crisis calls related (sexual assault): 19 ♦ On 19 occasions, SAFE sent an advocate to the hospital because someone (a female in each of these instances) reported she had been raped. Rape is a violent crime, a hostile attack. It is NOT the result of "uncontrolled passions." It is an at tempt to hurt, humiliate, and control the victim. Sex is only the weapon. Rape can happen to any one. Children, grandmothers, students, working women, wives, mothers, and even males are the victims of rape. Rape can occur anywhere and at anytime in pub lic or in your own home, day or night. Rapists are not necessarily strangers. In fact, in over one third of reported cases (this statistic varies de pending on source) the rapist is an acquaintance, neighbor, friend, or relative of the victim. Safety Tips Even the best self-defense program cannot com pletely prevent sexual assault. Anyone can be come a victim. The following tips are designed to increase your awareness of personal safety and to encourage you to think ahead about how you would react if assaulted. At Home Many rapes occur in or near the victim's home. One of the best ways to prevent sexual assault is to practice good home security. continued next page
Wilkes Community College Student Newspaper
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April 1, 2003, edition 1
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