Would you know what to do if...

Someone like a customer, a friend or a family member approaches you to share they have been sexually abused. Unfortunately, with the statistics below it could easily happen. Very sad but we have to be prepared. A few things you can do: 

.Listen in a way that supports and validates their feelings.

.Let them know that you believe what they are telling you.

.Make yourself available

.Encourage them to seek help.

.Let them disclose details of the abuse at their own pace.

.Ask them what they need from you to feel safe and supported.

.Take care of yourself and get help if needed.

.Educate yourself on recovery issues.

.You can go to the police, hospital or counseling with them

. Refer them to someone you know

 that has gone through a similar experience

The statistics:

How Often Does Sexual Assault Occur? 


·            1, 397 sexual assaults occur in Canada every day.

·            Once every minute a woman or child in Canada is sexually assaulted (forced sexual touching)

·      A woman is raped (forced to have sexual intercourse) every 17 minutes in Canada 




 

Who Are The Victims Of Sexual Assault?

·      82% of sexual assault victims are women or girls

·      15% of sexual assault victims are boys under 17

·      3% of sexual assault victims are men over 17

·      56% of female victims are under 18 years of age

·      25% of female victims are under 12 years of age

·      44% of female victims are over 18 year of age

·      77% of stalking victims are women 




 

What Percentage of Canadian Women Are Victims Of Sexual Violence?

·      39% of Canadian women (or 2 out of 5) have been sexually assaulted since the age of sixteen

·      24% of Canadian girls under age 16 have experienced rape or coercive sex.

·      51% of Canadian Women have been victims of physical or sexual violence since the age of sixteen.

·      24% of Canadian women have been forced into sexual activity by threat, by being held down, or by being hurt in some way.

·      30% of women currently or previously married have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence at the hands of a marital partner.

 

More information:

  http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfvcnivf/familyviolence/html/nfntsxagrsexadult_e.html

http://www.safekidsbc.ca/statistics.htm