New Report: 1 in 5 U.S. Women Have Been Raped, 1 in 6 Have Been Stalked

A new report from the CDC shows that violence against women is growing.

-PJ Gach, BettyConfidential.com

A shocking new study by the CDC reveals that sexual violence against both women and men is even worse than many of us suspected.

The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) reveals that on average 24 people per minute are victims of rape, stalking or physical violence by a partner. That means in 2010, the year the survey was conducted, over 12 million women and men experienced some form of sexual violence in their lives. Over 6 million men and women dealt with stalkers and 1 million women were raped.

Other findings from the study include:

• 1.3 million women were raped during the year preceding the survey.

• Nearly 1 in 5 women have been raped in their lifetime while 1 in 71 men have been raped in their lifetime.

• 1 in 6 women have been stalked during their lifetime. 1 in 19 men have experienced stalking in their lifetime.

• 1 in 4 women have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner, while 1 in 7 men experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner.

• 81percent of women who experienced rape, stalking or physical violence by an intimate partner reported significant short or long term impacts related to the violence experienced in this relationship such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and injury, while 35 percent of men report such impacts of their experiences.

• Women who had experienced rape or stalking by any perpetrator or physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime were more likely than women who did not experience these forms of violence to report having asthma, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome.

• Men and women who experienced these forms of violence were more likely to report frequent headaches, chronic pain, difficulty with sleeping, activity limitations, poor physical health and poor mental health than men and women who did not experience these forms of violence

According to the survey, sexual victimization starts early in life. Almost 80 percent of women surveyed were raped before they were 25 and almost half were raped before they were 18. The vast majority (92%) percent of men surveyed who said they experienced violence against them report the violence as being perpetrated by their partners.

The findings in the report are chilling. While you think it's not that dangerous out there, the reality is, that it is that dangerous. Short of locking yourself up in your room and never going out on a date ever, ever again (which is crazy), what can you to ensure safety? RAINN.org (The Rape, Abuse and Incest national Network) has a list of ways to reduce your risks against rape. They include: avoid dangerous situations, be aware of your surroundings, and always keep your cell phone with you. Trust your instincts -- if someone is giving you the creeps, get away from them. If you're going out, never leave your drink unattended.

Healthy Place also suggests if you have to, make a scene. Never let anyone you don't know into your home or apartment.

Most of all use your common sense -- if someone or something seems off, don't let the person isolate you and don't go to an area that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Tell us: Are you surprised by this report?



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