i decided to start posting batches of questions that are asked by students during presentations, i hope they are helpful and or interesting.
these are from middle school
1. How many rape calls do you get per week?
It really depends; some weeks are busier than others, especially around the start of the school year and little 5. We have gotten as many as 10/15 calls in a week, or none at times. In 2007 we had about 70 calls to the hospital.
2. Do you house couples that are both in a difficult situation?
We don’t house couples because it would be difficult and possibly dangerous. As you might remember the people in shelter live in a communal space, meaning that they have to share bathrooms, a kitchen and a room sometimes. In order for it to be a safe and comfortable place for everyone we don’t house couples, because it might become a dramatic, emotion-laden situation that would not be conducive to a safe living environment. Also, most often one person in the relationship is responsible for trying to control and have power over their partner, so we try to help and support the person being abused.
3. Why do people sexually assault?
That’s a really good question! We talked a bit about that already. People assault mostly because they want to feel in control of another person, and have power over them. Many times people that rape/assault feel entitled to force someone to have sex with them, many times because they feel that they are better than the other person because of sexism, classism, or racism. Unfortunately we live in a society where rape and sexual assault are sometimes seen as acceptable and not a big deal. It’s up to all of us to change that, and to push for a society where people engage in healthy behaviors, and see each other’s as equals.
4. Do really young children get sexually assaulted?
Yes. Sexual assault happens to people of all ages, colors, and backgrounds. People that are more vulnerable (like young people/people with serious mental illnesses) might be at a higher risk for being assaulted. Again sexual assaults do not happen because of sex, or how attractive someone is necessarily, they are more about power and control.
5. How many people become pregnant because of rape?
The latest information is could find was from a Center for Disease Control (a federal agency) study done in 2000. They report that about 4.7% of people that are raped become pregnant because of it.
6. If someone is over 16 and it’s raped by a parent, is it still rape?
Absolutely! Indiana Law just says that when you are 16 you are legally able to consent, meaning that legally you can decide whether you want to have sex or not. If a person does not want to have sex and someone has sex with them against their will it’s rape. No matter if the person raping you is your boyfriend, or a member of your family, or a stranger!
Q: Have you ever had a call of someone saying they have an online relationship & feeling assaulted or in danger?
A: Yes. In the past 10-15 years dating online has become more and more common and can have similar dynamics to “normal” relationships. The anonymity of the Internet can also give people a sense that they are less accountable for their actions, and make violence and threats escalate. It can be a very scary situation for people that can cause a great deal of stress and trauma. Harassment on the web is illegal and punishable by law.
Q: How often does rape occur?
A: According to research 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men in the United States experiences rape or attempted rape at some point of their life.
Q: Do people rape to get rid of anger?
A: People usually rape because they want to control or hurt another human being. Anger can be part of this desire for power and control.
Q: in what places do the highest numbers of sexual assaults and rape happen?
A: If you mean places in the world, countries where there is war of civil strife have the higher incidence of rape. Rape has been used throughout history as a weapon of domination and control in war. The lack of law enforcement agencies during war also creates a lack of accountability for the rapists. Countries in which one gender is considered less important or valuable than the other also have a higher incidence of rape (example: places where women are considered inferior than men). If you mean to ask if there are specific places where people are usually raped, the answer is in their home, or in the house of someone they know. The idea that people are attacked in a dark alley by a stranger is a myth, a stereotype, and rarely happens in real life.
9. If you see someone getting assaulted, how can you help?
It depends on the situation. You can decide to call for the police if you think someone is in danger and you don’t feel safe stopping it yourself. If you are at school you can call a teacher that you trust. If you see someone getting inappropriate attention you can also engage them directly and ask them if they are ok, if they need help or resources. You can also simply tell the assaulter to stop, many times people that assault rely on everyone around them being silent about what is going on, and calling attention to it can be a powerful deterrent.
