“I Didn’t Ask For It: Rape Is a Crime, Being Raped Is Not”

Today I stumbled upon something beautiful and also frightening. At Confluence Park in Denver, the Guerilla Urban Art Force staged an event to speak out against rape and sexual assaults. The artwork was moving, the experience draining, the statistics staggering. I honored the voices the best way I knew how, in the photos seen below alongside some of the disheartening statistics.

It’s hard to believe that in our advanced culture rape exists. And its even harder to believe the victim is often blamed for the crime. April is sexual assault awareness and prevention month. Together we can stop this horrible crime. Pass it on.

Get the whole story from this Westword articleand on the group’s the facebook page or blog.

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Every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted

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15 of 16 rapists will never spend a day in jail

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Victims of sexual assault are: 3 times more likely to suffer from depression. 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol. 26 times more likely to abuse drugs. 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.

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About 3% of American men — or 1 in 33 — have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.

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44% of victims are under age 18. 80% are under age 30.

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Statistics from RAINN


Comments

2 responses to ““I Didn’t Ask For It: Rape Is a Crime, Being Raped Is Not””

  1. David Leech Avatar
    David Leech

    Thanks for the great photos and coverage of the event. I wish I could have been there.

  2. Anna Bjornson Avatar
    Anna Bjornson

    Thank you SO MUCH for eternalizing this event with your beautiful images. And thanks for helping spread the word.

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