Sexual Violence

Sexual violence happens everywhere, including Nebraska, where an estimated 1.4 million people experience some form of sexual or intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Sexual violence has serious physical, emotional, and psychological effects on survivors, making it critical to believe and support those who experience it.  

Sexual violence has long-term implications for survivors and potentially large-scale economic impacts for healthcare, workplaces, schools, government, and the community overall. When this violence occurs early in a person’s life, it is often repeated throughout their lifespan. Victimization can have a lifelong, multi-generational impact, and support services are not always available. Fortunately, sexual violence is preventable, and we all play a role in prevention.  

Sexual Violence is More Than Rape

Sexual violence is any sexual act or behavior committed against someone without their consent. It includes a range of actions such as:  

• Rape
• Sexual assault
• Unwanted sexual contact
• Sexual harassment
• Coercion
• Any form of non-consensual sexual activity

Sexual violence can involve:

• Physical force
• Threats
• Manipulation
• Pressure
• Situations where a person is unable to give consent due to  
  • Age
  • Intoxication
  • Incapacitation

It can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age, race, or background. Perpetrators can be strangers, acquaintances, partners, family members, or authority figures. 

Sexual Violence is About Power & Control

Sexual violence is driven by a desire to dominate, manipulate, or exert authority over another person, rather than a pursuit of mutual intimacy or pleasure. Perpetrators use sexual violence as a tool to degrade, intimidate, or harm others, often disregarding consent and violating boundaries to assert their power. This is why sexual violence occurs in various settings, including abusive relationships, workplaces, and institutions, and why it disproportionately affects marginalized groups who may have less social or systemic power. Understanding sexual violence as an issue of power and control helps shift the focus from victim-blaming to holding perpetrators accountable and addressing the societal structures that enable abuse. 

You Likely Know a Survivor of Sexual Violence

With an estimated 1.4 million Nebraskans experiencing intimate partner or sexual violence in their lifetime, it is likely that everyone knows someone who has been affected. More than 57% of women and 34% of men experience unwanted sexual contact, while over 50% of women and 28% of men experience rape or other forms of non-consensual sex involving abuse of power, pressure, threats, force, or incapacitation. These numbers show that sexual violence is widespread, even if survivors do not always disclose their experiences. Whether or not someone has shared their story, the reality is that sexual violence impacts countless people in every community. 

Survivors are Never to Blame

Responsibility always lies with the perpetrator. Consent must be freely given, informed, and enthusiastic—if someone is coerced, manipulated, threatened, or unable to give consent, then the act is not consensual, and the fault rests entirely with the person who violated their boundaries. No one ever "asks for" or "deserves" harm based on what they wear, where they go, or how they act. The idea that survivors hold any responsibility for what happened to them is rooted in harmful myths that excuse perpetrators and shift focus away from the real issue: the choice to commit violence.

Blaming survivors not only deepens their trauma but also discourages them from seeking support or reporting their experiences. It reinforces a culture where perpetrators are not held accountable, making communities less safe. Instead, it’s essential to believe and support survivors, challenge victim-blaming narratives, and work toward a culture where consent, respect, and safety are prioritized. 

Rape is the Least Reported Violent Crime

According to RAINN, only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police, which means more than 2 out of 3 go unreported. Of the sexual violence crimes reported to police from 2005-2010, the survivors reporting gave the following reasons for doing so:

• 28% to protect the household or victim from further crimes by the offender
• 25% to stop the incident or prevent recurrence or escalation
• 21% to improve police surveillance or they believed they had a duty to do so
• 17% to catch/punish/prevent offender from reoffending
• 6% gave a different answer, or declined to cite one reason
• 3% did so to get help or recover loss

Of the sexual violence crimes not reported to police from 2005-2010, the survivors gave the following reasons for not reporting:

• 20% feared retaliation
• 13% believed the police would not do anything to help
• 13% believed it was a personal matter
• 8% reported to a different official
• 8% believed it was not important enough to report
• 7% did not want to get the perpetrator in trouble
• 2% believed the police could not do anything to help
• 30% gave another reason, or did not cite one reason

The decision to report or disclose is deeply personal, and many survivors prioritize safety, emotional well-being, and control over their own healing process. 

Sexual Assault Occurs Early in Life

Sexual violence often begins early in life, with the likelihood of first experiencing violence during adolescence. In Nebraska, 1-in-3 women and 1-in-5 men first experience unwanted sexual contact during adolescence. Additionally, women are particularly vulnerable, with over 14% experiencing rape through force or threat of force before adulthood. Women also face the highest risk of experiencing any form of violence between the ages of 11-19. These statistics highlight the urgent need for early prevention efforts and supportive resources for young survivors. 

What To Do If You Have Experienced Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is a deeply personal and traumatic experience. If you or someone you know has been assaulted, here are steps you can take:

• Find a Safe Place: Your safety is the priority. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or seek a safe location.
• Seek Medical Care: If you feel comfortable, go to a hospital or clinic for a medical exam. This can address physical injuries, provide STI testing, and offer emergency contraception if needed. An advocate at your local survivor support organization can help you understand your options and navigate the systems and processes.
• Consider a Forensic Exam (Rape Kit): If the assault occurred recently, a sexual assault forensic exam can collect evidence. An advocate at your local survivor support organization can help you understand your options and navigate the systems and processes.
• Reach Out for Support: You do not have to go through this alone. A trusted friend, family member, or an advocate at your local survivor support organization can provide emotional support.
• Contact a Confidential Hotline: Your local survivor support organization and the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE or online.rainn.org) offer 24/7 confidential support and can help connect you with resources.
• Report if You Choose To: You have the option to report to law enforcement, but it is your choice. An advocate at your local survivor support organization can help you understand your options and navigate the systems and processes. 
• Practice Self-Care: Healing takes time, and there is no “right” way to feel. Consider seeking professional counseling or support groups that focus on healing from trauma. 

Sexual Violence is Preventable

According to the Centers for Disease Control, decades of research, prevention efforts, and survivor-centered services have deepened our understanding of sexual violence and effective strategies to prevent it. One key finding is the strong interconnection between different forms of violence and how they contribute to the conditions that allow sexual violence to occur. Research shows that:

• People who experience one form of violence are more likely to experience other forms of violence.  
• People who engage in violence in one context (e.g., towards peers) are also likely to be violent in other contexts (e.g., towards dating partners).  
• Various forms of violence share common consequences that can negatively impact mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being and contribute to chronic health conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, or diabetes.  
• Different forms of violence (i.e., sexual, domestic, human trafficking, stalking) share common risk and protective factors.

Understanding the overlapping causes of violence and the things that can protect people and communities can help us better prevent violence in all its forms. 

Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence

Survivors will most likely turn to family, friends, and partners for support. If someone you know has experienced violence and chooses to disclose to you:  

• Believe survivors and avoid judgment.  
• Check in with them in a private space and ask how you can support them.  
• Do not share their story without their permission  
• Help them get in contact with a local survivor support organization to plan for safety and receive additional services and support.  
• Get support for yourself – it can be difficult seeing someone experience violence.

Healthcare professionals can also play a significant role in supporting survivors by:

• Talking with ALL patients about healthy and unhealthy relationships, the health effects of violence, and resources, regardless of screening or disclosures of violence.  
• Displaying trauma-informed information and tools for patients and providers to view, use, or reference.  
• Describing steps of physical exams with patients of EVERY age and ask permission to continue at each step.  
• Working to develop and implement trauma-informed policy and procedures to promote prevention and respond to disclosures of violence if they don’t already exist.  
• Becoming familiar with healthcare, reporting, and parental consent laws, and communicating openly with patients about them.  
• Ensuring a private space and time with just the patient and provider, for at least a portion of the visit, to allow time for patients to discuss issues privately.  
• Considering experiences of violence when offering treatment or building care plans for patients, including reproductive health.  
• Connecting with a local domestic violence and sexual assault program for support to cross train staff and facilitate referrals for victims/survivors.

Additional resources for healthcare professionals:  

• Future Without Violence’s Health Program
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s Assessing Patients for Sexual Violence: A Guide for Health Care Providers