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Sexual assault, also called sexual violence, is a serious public health concern in the United States. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, making it a good time to start conversations about awareness and prevention. While many people believe sexual assault only affects women, people of all genders, ages and sexual orientations can experience sexual violence.��

“Sexual assault is an act that is really about power and control. It refers to a sexual behavior or contact that happens without consent,” says Rama Rao, M.D., chief of the Division of Medical Toxicology in the Department of Emergency Medicine and medical director of the Safe Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Program at Ģ����Ƶ. “We really have a lot of agency about who touches us under what context and what parts of our body they can have access to. That's a very private thing, and once that is taken out of the control of an individual, we use the term sexual assault.”��

Why Sexual Assault Is Underreported��

The statistics on sexual assault in the United States are staggering. According to the :��

However, survivors of sexual assault often don’t report the crime, especially for people in the LGBTQ+ community.��

“Men are generally left out of the conversation when it comes to being survivors and they really need to be invited into that discussion,” Dr. Rao says. “Similarly, people that are non-binary or transgender also may underreport their experiences with sexual assault because they may perceive that the systems of care and the criminal justice system do not serve them the same way that it may for other people.”��

There are many other reasons people who experience sexual assault don’t disclose what happened to them:��

Seeking Support��

If you experience sexual assault or know someone who has, remember it’s always up to the victim whether to report what happened and who they want to talk to about it. But there are benefits to seeking support from others.��

“I think that the most important thing for survivors and people close to survivors to know is you're really not alone,” Dr. Rao says. “There are many people who have experienced the same thing, and it's very difficult for people to be open about something that is often so very private. But there are many resources available that can help.”��

One of the most important things to consider after a sexual assault is getting medical attention. Some hospitals provide specialized services for survivors of sexual assault. Weill Cornell Medical Center offers the , a designation given by the New York State Department of Health. Medical providers, including doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners provide compassionate medical and forensic care, working alongside social workers and advocates from the .����

“If you are a victim of any crime and you reach out to the Victim Intervention Program, you can receive free confidential support, counseling services, legal advocacy and support,” Dr. Rao says. “You can also be connected to people who can support you if you choose to move through the criminal justice system.”��

The offers the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. Trained counselors can talk to victims and direct them to local services as well.����

Preventing Sexual Assault��

It’s important to remember that sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. But there are steps you can take to help keep yourself safe. If you are out by yourself:��

If you are at a party or out with friends:��

If you are being pressured into sexual activity you don’t want:��

Taking a self-defense class is also a good idea, as it can not only give your self-confidence a boost but also teach you valuable skills and strategies to protect yourself.����

Need to talk to a provider? Find a doctor at Ģ����Ƶ who can help.��