By Nurse Diane
I have never lived in a big
city; have always lived in small towns, kinda like the song in Cheers, where
everybody knows your name. Places like
that are almost free from the crimes you see in the big cities, but they do
occasionally happen. That is why,
several years ago, the whole community was shaken to the core when an elderly
woman and her female roommate were found attacked in their home.
The victim, a woman in her late
60's was my Sunday school teacher at church.
She was the type of person who would do anything to help someone in
need. They lived in an older part of
town in a suspect neighborhood. She was
coming home from Sunday night church. As
she entered her home, her 80-year-old roommate was they’re waiting for
her. Before she had time to set down her
belongings, there was a knock at the door.
She went to see who was there, a young man asking for something, and she
invited him in.
- A stranger - into her home at night,
- He attacked her, raped her there near the door, then attacked the other woman in her wheelchair, then went about tearing up the place looking for drug money.
- When he couldn't find any, he raped the woman again, and then left.
News of this attack spread
quickly, even without the Internet, and the community rallied together to find
the suspect and punish him severely. My
teacher was hospitalized, and the women were no longer able to share living
accommodations, and both moved in with family members.
It was so horrific that this
kind of attack happened to the elderly ladies, however, it could have been
easily avoided had the door remained locked, and the person was asked to leave
the premises.
The month of April has been
designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
in the United States. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about
sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent
sexual violence. In 2009, President
Obama was the first United States president to proclaim April as Sexual Assault
Awareness Month.
According to the CDC, 1 in 5
women and 1 in 71 men have been raped in their lifetime and nearly 1 in 2 women
and 1 in 5 men have experienced other forms of sexual violence at some point in
their lives. Sexual violence is any
sexual activity where consent is not freely given. This includes completed or
attempted sex acts that are against the victim's will or involve a victim who
is unable to consent.
Sexual violence also includes:
- Unwanted sexual contact, and
- Non-contact and unwanted sexual experiences (such as verbal sexual harassment).
Sexual violence can be committed
by anyone:
- A current or former intimate partner;
- A family member;
- A person in position of power or trust;
- A friend or acquaintance; and or
- A stranger, or someone known only by sight.
Sexual violence impacts health
in many ways and can lead to long-term physical and mental health problems.
Victims may experience chronic pain, headaches, and sexually transmitted
diseases. They are often fearful or anxious, and may have problems trusting
others. Anger and stress can lead to eating disorders, depression, and even
suicidal thoughts.
If you are, or someone you know
is a victim of sexual violence:
Contact the Rape,
Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE, Free,
Confidential, 24/7
And or
Contact your local
emergency services at 9-1-1.
