THE SILENT CRIME!!!

RAPE, the "silent crime,"
Rape is the least reported of all crimes.
In fact, fewer than twenty percent of rapes
and attempted rapes are ever reported.
Many victims are silent because they are
ashamed. Others are so afraid - of their
attacker, or of being judged. Others are
simply too hurt or too angry to speak out.
More Public awareness is needed for
this "silent" crime. It means asking our
communities, friends and ourselves what
we can do as a team, to eliminate sexual
violence. We need to respond to survivors
in a way that enables them to heal and
regain control of their lives. Approximately
683,000 women and 93,000 men in this country
are forcibly raped each year. And the numbers
are rising EACH MONTH. Sexual assault
awareness means recognizing that rape is real,
and lives in our own backyards.
Finding the strength to talk to someone
- a friend, a relative, a counselor, anyone
- is the most important step in moving from
rape victim to rape survivor. I want people
to know that there are people who can help,
and services available for those who have been
sexually assaulted or know someone who has
been sexually assaulted. There are many
associations at our fingertips that deal with
this sort of thing. Put your Trust in them.
REMEMBER THIS IS NO LONGER A CRIME
AGAINST WOMEN ALONE.