The Numbers
Sexual violence starts very early in life. By the time a child reaches the age of 18, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys will be victims of sexual abuse (www.allaboutcounseling.com). Of these, 20% occur before the age of 12 for girls, and 48% occur before age 12 for boys (Tjaden and Thoennes 2000).
Contrary to the belief that rapists are hiding in the bushes or in the shadows of the parking garage, almost 2/3rd of all rapes were committed by someone who is known to the victim. Of those sexual assaults, 73% were perpetrated by a non-stranger – 38% of perpetrators were a friend or acquaintance of the victim, 28% were an intimate partner and 7% were another relative. A national survey found that 10% of women were victims of rape or attempted rape by a husband or intimate partner in their lifetime (Basile 2002).
2009 Safe Haven Center Numbers:
There were 212 women who were recent victims of a sexual assault crime seen through the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) program. Of the crimes committed against them, 77% were reported to the police (According to the National Crime Statistics, the national average is 28%).
- 936 hotline calls were received
- clients received advocacy services
- 281 adults received therapy services
- 79 children received therapy
- 4,000 children were taught personal safety skills
In 2/3rd of the elementary schools visited by Safe Haven Center staff, at least one child disclosed that they had been sexually abused.