Every 68 seconds, there is a sexual assault in the United States. The vast majority of these are perpetrated against women. One in every 6 women, as opposed to 1 in every 33 men, has been the victim of completed or attempted rape.
Sexual violence by someone known to the victim, which accounts for roughly 80% of assaults, deeply impacts a person’s emotional, physical, and relational well-being. Our culture’s understanding of trauma, consent, rape culture, and terminology have evolved over the years, calling for accountability on behalf of perpetrators.
“Rape is the forcible violation of the sexual intimacy of another person. It does injury to justice and charity. Rape deeply wounds the respect, freedom, and physical and moral Integrity to which every person has a right. It causes grave damage that can mark the victim for life. It is always an intrinsically evil act.“ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2356)
Particularly in the Catholic Church, where leading clerics engaged in sexual abuse for decades until finally being stopped, we have an obligation to provide comfort and support to survivors of sexual assault and abuse throughout our culture.
If you or someone you know needs help processing sexual trauma, RAINN(Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, and lists over 1,000 sexual assault crisis service providers across the country (800-656-HOPE; rainn.org).
Awakeis a community of abuse survivors, concerned Catholics and allies responding to the wounds of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. https://www.awakecommunity.org/
Beyond the immediate medical and legal help needed, survivors also suffer from relationship effects after an assault. This article from Grotto Networkgives boundary guidelines for those dating assault survivors.
Lord, We Pray:
For healing of their minds and bodies;
For the space to grieve the part of themselves taken from them;
For discovery of their strength to continue the plans that You have for them;
For a deeper sense of security in Your perfect love;
For Your comfort to them when they feel unsafe or in despair;
For Your protection that anger would not turn inward to self-loathing;
For Your grace, to trust themselves and their experiences as they move forward, seeking justice if they choose.
