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While we all remember September 11th, the fact that every 68 seconds someone is sexually assaulted doesn't change due to a time of remembrance or a holiday.
It is estimated that every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. This staggering statistic means that every day in the United States, more than 630 people are sexually assaulted. To put it another way, this means that there are nearly 237,000 sexual assault victims in America every year.
These numbers are shocking, but they don't tell the whole story. The reality is that most sexual assaults are never reported to the police. In fact, it is estimated that only around 1 in 3 sexual assaults are ever reported to authorities. This means that the true number of sexual assault victims in America is likely much higher than 237,000.
Why Aren't Sexual Assaults Reported?
There can be a number of reasons why sexual assault victims choose not to report their attack to the police. In some cases, the victim may be afraid of retribution from their attacker. In other cases, the victim may feel ashamed or embarrassed and think that they will be blamed for what happened. Additionally, many sexual assault victims know their attacker, which can make coming forward even more difficult.
Unfortunately, when sexual assaults go unreported, it makes it harder to hold attackers accountable and also makes it more likely that they will strike again. This is why it's so important for survivors of sexual assault to have access to support and resources so that they can make the best decision for themselves about whether or not to report their attack.
The statistics on sexual assault in America are startling, but the reality is that these numbers only scratch the surface of the problem. Most sexual assaults are never reported to authorities, which means that the true scope of the problem is unknown. However, it is clear that more needs to be done to support survivors of sexual assault and bring attackers to justice.