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In the last decade, the topic of sexual abuse and sexual assault has received widespread media attention. Almost 2 decades ago, the priest sex abuse scandal which rocked the Catholic Church brought the unique problem of sex abuse and assault to light. Since then, there have been other major sex abuse-assault scandals involving schools and other religious organizations.
Two recent reports reveal some startling information and data about how endemic sexual violence really is, especially among young women and children.
The Centers for Disease Control Report, September 5, 2014: Prevalence and Characteristics of Sexual Violence, Stalking, and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization
According to a September 2014 report from the Centers for Disease Control, over 23 million women and nearly 2 million men in the U.S. have been victims of rape. A staggering 79% of women who experienced rape did so before the age of 25. In addition, the CDC report revealed that 40% of rapes occurred before the age of 18 (28% of rapes occurred between the ages of 11–17, and 12% of rapes occurred before the age of 10). These statistics only apply to rape and do not include other forms of sexual violence.
This CDC report clearly highlights the problem of sexual violence against young women and children, especially considering that nearly 40% of all rapes occur before the age of 18.
United Nations, Unicef Report: Hidden in Plain Sight, A Statistical Analysis of Violence Against Children, September 2014
Another report, this one by the United Nations and Unicef, also highlights the extent of the problem of child sexual violence. According to the report, about 120 million girls (roughly 1 in 10) have been victims of sexual violence. In addition, the report shows that sexual violence against children occurs in every single country.
Sexual abuse or assault is a particularly heinous act of violence. The emotional scars of sexual violence are often felt throughout a victim’s entire lifetime. Many times, victims are simply unaware of their legal rights or too scared to assert them. Justice for sexual abuse and assault victims often takes great courage. It’s emotionally difficult to face an abuser and publicly come forward about the abuse. For many victims, it takes years, well into adulthood, to come to terms with the abuse, let alone figure out what steps to take to pursue justice.
Unfortunately, statute of limitations laws in many states are too stringent when it comes to sex abuse cases. For instance, in Pennsylvania, victims abused or assaulted as adults only have 2 years from the date of the incident(s) to file a civil lawsuit against the abuser. Minors get more time, until they are 30, so long as the abuse occurred when they were under the age of 18.
As indicated by these two reports, sexual abuse and assault is pervasive, especially against young people. Therefore, our laws need to reflect a sensitivity to the problem by allowing victims more time to seek justice through the court systems, criminal and civil.
More: The Internet – Your Child’s Safety & Privacy The summer months are the most fun for kids. With school out and parents working, kids have the freedom to do what they want, and that includes getting on the internet. In addition, access to the internet is easier than ever with smart phones, tablets, etc.
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