YOU ARE NOT SURVIVING ALONE Sexual violence is a public health crisis. By definition, a public health crisis affects large numbers of people and is determined by its longterm effects. Sexual violence impacts nearly every person in the United States − directly or indirectly. Sexual violence creates health and wellness issues for survivors and their communities, and there is a causal link between the experience of sexual trauma and the fallout from lack of adequate recovery support and resources.
Survivors’ attempts to find rest, safety, and peace through whatever means available to them are vilified. Yet, there is little attempt by the government and communities to address the potential root causes of survivors’ choices and provide adequate resources for healing. This blaming of survivors and its ramifications are evidenced by the interrelationship between sexual violence and incarceration. For example, 86% of incarcerated women are survivors of sexual violence.12 Upon incarceration, over 10% of women are further abused by those who work within the institution.
The experience of any form of violence shifts the physiological body, including the systemic trauma of sexual harm. The rise of mental health diagnoses, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attacks, suicide attempts, eating disorders, and other stressrelated illnesses are directly related to its affects.11
It is important to note here that sexual misconduct is the second most common form of abuse police officers commit,13 making the police actors of sexual violence at a significantly higher rate than the general population.14
A prime example is the link between sexual violence and the rise in opioid usage, poverty, and incarceration. PAGE 22