By: KathyAnn Travis, Crime Victim-Witness Coordinator and Paralegal for the Cook County Attorney’s Office

April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The theme for this year is: Building Connected Communities.

A great way to build connected communities is for us to educate ourselves about the impacts of sexual violence on survivors, their families, our communities, and society as a whole. Rape myths historically perpetuated in our culture impact survivors and their families. If we as a community can dispel these myths it allows survivors to better access support and the resources needed. How can we achieve this? Through educating ourselves and understanding what sexual violence is. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sexual violence is “sexual activity when consent is not obtained or freely given.”

Some common rape myths that we often see in society are:

Myth: Victims lie about being raped or make false allegations.

Fact: The percentage of false reports in sexual assault and rape is the same as any other violent crime which: eight percent. This means that 92 percent of reported incidents are not falsely reported.

Myth: Rape is often committed by a stranger to the victim.

Fact: Most sexual assaults and rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. A study of sexual victimization of college women showed that about 90% of victims knew the person who sexually victimized them.

Myth: Men cannot be victims of sexual violence.

Fact: While sexual violence is more prevalently experienced by women and girls, almost one in three men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes. Even though resources are often focused on women and girls, the impact of sexual violence on men and boys is no less devastating.

Myth: A person cannot be sexually assaulted by their spouse or partner.

Fact: Nearly 1 in 10 women have experienced rape by an intimate partner in their lifetime. You have a right to say no to any type of sexual activity at any time as consent must be freely given.

Myth: People with disabilities are not likely to be sexually assaulted.

Fact: Eighty-three percent of women with disabilities will be sexually assaulted in their lives. Fifty percent of girls who are deaf have been sexually abused compared to 25 percent of girls who are hearing. Fifty-four percent of boys who are deaf have been sexually abused in comparison to 10 percent of boys who are hearing.

Myth: Help for survivors of sexual assault is expensive.

Fact: Advocacy services and counseling are usually free or at a very low cost by sexual assault service providers.

Myth: There is nothing I can do to prevent sexual violence.

Fact: There are many ways you can step up to make a difference. Be an active bystander without causing risk to yourself by creating a distraction, rallying others, and extending support to the person at risk. Always remember your actions matter!

The Cook County Victim Witness Program helps victims of sexual violence navigate the criminal justice system. We know that the process can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when experiencing a traumatic event. We are here to help crime victims understand their rights and ensure that they are enforced. We can also assist sexual assault victims to access financial support for medical expenses, counseling, loss of wages, and property loss or damage related to the assault.

Finally, we can ensure that we assist victims connect with other resources available in the community based on their individual needs. 

Our two main community partners are:

Violence Prevention Center

21 West Second St | PO Box 134

Grand Marais, MN 55604

Contact: 218-387-1237

Grand Portage Human Services

2 Casino Drive

Grand Portage MN 55605

218-475-2208

If you would like to know more about our services or how you can help, feel free to connect with the Cook County Victim Witness Program at 218-387-3669 or visit our office at 411 W 2nd St, Grand Marais MN, 55604.

Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Violence Prevention
• National Criminal Victimization Survey, 2003
• National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. (2011). 
• https://disabilityjustice.org/sexual-abuse
• RAINN: Find Help Near You
• https://www.rainn.org/articles/practicing-active-bystander-intervention
• https://www.ourresilience.org/what-you-need-to-know/myths-and-facts
• https://www.nsvrc.org/saam
• https://mncasa.org

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.