April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, but the risks exist year-round. Here’s 5 facts you won’t want to believe:

 

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1) Rape Culture is Real.

31.7% of college-aged men surveyed said they would act on “intentions to force a woman to sexual intercourse”, but only 13.6% surveyed said they would act on “intentions to rape a woman”. Additionally, 1/12 men surveyed admit to having legally raped someone in the past. (Source: Lisak and Miller, 2002)

2) It Won’t Stop By Itself.

On average, a sexual assault occurs every 2 minutes in the United States. 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime in the United States. (Source: RAINN)

3) Sexual Assault Begins as Sexism.

Worldwide, between 80-100% of women have experienced street harassment. (Source: Hollaback!)

 

4) It is Hidden in Plain Sight.

Acquaintance rape is more common than left-handedness, heart attacks, or alcoholism. (Source: ASU)

5) It Hurts Our Economy.

Rape is the most costly crime to victims in the U.S. Medical costs, lost earnings, pain, suffering and lost quality of life total more than $127 billion per year. (Source: McCollister, French, & Fang, 2010)