In the United States, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. Many other people have survived other types of sexual violence, as well. The experience of sexual violence has different meanings for each person. No one knows precisely how an individual will react. There is no “right” way to act after experiencing sexual violence. After the violence, some victims are very emotional and some are numb initially. However, sexual assault advocates have found that many people experience sexual violence as a severe emotional and physical violation. The effects of that violation can be seen in victims directly after or many days later. Trauma can produce pronounced feelings of helplessness and powerlessness, as well as physical symptoms such as breathing problems, vomiting, nightmares, and the inability to remember events.

Sexual Violence in Kansas

• In Kansas, approximately 245,000 women and 40,000 men will be raped in their lifetime and many more Kansans will experience other forms of sexual violence such as human trafficking, sexual harassment, child molestation, and other forms of sexual violence.
• In Kansas, one rape is reported to law enforcement every seven hours.
• In 78 percent of law enforcement reported cases of rape in Kansas, rapists know their victims.
• Sexual violence happens in every community in Kansas.