Sexual Assault As Most Serious Public Health Issue

December 19, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Landmark Report Reveals Sexual Assault As Most Serious Public Health Issue

Raleigh, NC- December 14, 2011- Today the Center for Disease Control released its landmark report, National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS). The findings offer an analysis of the prevalence of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking. This large-scale ongoing study confirms sexual violence as one of the most pervasive and serious public health issues in this country. This epidemic is evidenced with stats revealing nearly 1 in 5women have been raped at some point in their lives, including the 1.3 million raped in the last 12 months nationwide.

The North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA), a statewide alliance working to sexual violence through education, advocacy and legislation, believes a report of this caliber presents an opportunity to educate local communities about sexual assault. "Common misconceptions around sexual violence prevent communities from responding to sexual violence. It is imperative to understand sexual assault is not just rape, but a range of non-consensual behaviors including rape, sexual coercion, unwanted sexual touch and non-contact forms of abuse," Monika Johnson-Hostler, NCCASA Executive Director.

Other key findings from the report are:
• The impact of sexual violence is far-reaching and no group is free from violence. However consistent patterns have emerged showing that women, young people, and racial and ethnic communities are the most heavily affected.
• Services for victims of sexual assault are essential. The trauma associated with sexual assault can result in serious long-term physical and mental health problems.
• Women who were sexually abused as minors are at significantly increased risk of being raped again as adults.
• Most perpetrators of sexual violence abuse people that they know, often using their positions of trust and authority to do so.
The Center for Disease Control's report most important finding is that sexual violence can be prevented. This can be achieved by implementing prevention efforts, supporting strategies to mobilize communities and the development of more local and federal funding streams for sexual assault specific service providers. "One pivotal lesson learned this year from NCCASA's work is that there has to be a proactive engagement from survivors, advocates, law enforcement, legislators and community leaders to increase funding and resources for coordinated responses to ending sexual violence in North Carolina," said Johnson-Hostler. She added, "This report also reveals to us (you and I) that WE have to make a greater investment to ensure OURchildren and communities are safe and have a voice against perpetrators. NCCASA newest project, the Young Advocates Institute, seeks to do just that. In 2012, NCCASA will bring together 200 teens from across the state for a weekend of prevention education workshops and build skills to develop a statewide network of peer to peer educators. We know sexual violence can be prevented. We must now work together to END rape and sexual assault!"

To view the Center for Disease and Prevention's National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence survey go to http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/NISVS/index.html
For information from the CDC please review the summary, fact sheet, and toolkit. The toolkit provides information on the survey methodology, best ways to interpret and use the data, tips for working with media, and answers to frequently-asked questions.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center has created initial talking points related to sexual violence.

For more information about the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, visitwww.nccasa.org.

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