Combating Sexual Assault and bring more awareness

1. Understanding and Addressing Sexual Assault
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2. S E X U A L A S S A U L T
Sexual assault refers to any unwanted or coerced sexual activity or behavior
inflicted on an individual without their consent. This can encompass a wide
range of actions, including but not limited to:
• Rape
• Fondling or groping
• Sexual harassment
• Coerced sexual activity
• Non-consensual sexual contact

3. M Y T H S
Sexual assault is an act of lust and passion that can’t be controlled.
Fact: Sexual assault is about power and control and is not motivated by sexual gratification.
If a victim of sexual assault does not fight back, they must have thought the assault was not that bad or they
wanted it.
Fact: Many survivors experience tonic immobility or a “freeze response” during an assault where they physically
cannot move or speak.
A lot of victims lie about being raped or give false reports.
Fact: Only 2-8% of rapes are falsely reported, the same percentage as for other felonies.
A person cannot sexually assault their partner or spouse.
Fact: Nearly 1 in 10 women have experienced rape by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Sexual assaults most occur in public or outdoors.
Fact: 55% of rape or sexual assault victimizations occur at or near the victim’s home, and 12% occur at or near
the home of a friend, relative, or acquaintance.
Men are not victims of sexual violence.
Fact: 1.5% of all men have been raped and 47% of bisexual men have experienced some form of unwanted
sexual contact in their lifetime.

4. Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men
reported experiencing some form of sexual
harassment and/or assault in their lifetime
It is estimated that 734,630 people were raped
(including threatened, attempted, or
completed rape) in the U.S. in 2018.
One in five women in the United States
experienced completed or attempted
rape during their lifetime.
Forty percent of rapes and sexual assaults were
reported to police in 2017, but only about 25%
were reported to police in 2018.
The estimated lifetime cost of rape is $122,461
per victim.

5. L A S T I N G E F F E C T S
Emotional Reactions:
• Guilt, shame, self-blame
• Embarrassment
• Fear, distrust
• Sadness
• Vulnerability
• Isolation
• Lack of control
• Anger
• Numbness
• Confusion
• Shock, disbelief
• Denial
Physiological Reactions:
• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• PTSD
• Anxiety
• Eating disorder
• Substance use or abuse
• Phobias
• Low self esteem
Psychological Reactions:
• Changes in eating or
sleeping patterns
• Increased startle
response
• Concerns about physical
safety
• Physical injury
• Concerns about
pregnancy or contracting
an STI or HIV

6. Established in 1974, Resilience is an independent, not-for-profit
organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of sexual
assault survivors through non-judgmental crisis intervention
counseling, individual and group trauma therapy, and medical and
legal advocacy in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Resilience
provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to
improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors and to effect
positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual
assault.
Total Revenue: 2,776,348
180 N Michigan Ave Ste 600, Chicago, IL 60601

7. Dr. Natalie Stephens, a pioneering figure and dedicated
advocate for survivors of sexual violence, founded Resilience,
formerly known as Rape Victim Advocates, in 1974 alongside
ten medical and nursing students. Her journey began with an
unwavering determination to become a doctor from the age
of five, despite being one of only four women admitted to her
medical school class at Syracuse University.
Throughout her career as an obstetrician/gynecologist, she
worked in private practice in downtown Chicago and served
as an attending physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital,
leaving a profound impact in her field. Dr. Stephens also
volunteered extensively at hospitals like Cook County (now
Stroger), where she observed the emotional toll sexual assault
took on victims.
Recognized as a champion for marginalized voices, Dr.
Stephens inspired others to make a difference. Her legacy
lives on through Resilience's Dr. Natalie Stephens Visionary
Award, renamed in her honor in 2012, which celebrates leaders
who have made significant and lasting contributions to
combatting sexual violence in Chicago and beyond.
Founder of Resilience

8. P R O G R A M S & S E R V I C E S
Individual Trauma Therapy
• Short-term trauma therapy related to sexual violence, available by telephone and video conferencing.
Services are free and confidential, provided by a therapist with specialized training in treating trauma.
Group Therapy
• A variety of group therapy and support groups are offered as an opportunity for survivors to connect
and learn with their peers. All groups are facilitated by at least one trauma therapist.
Workshops
• Workshops are single events aimed to provide peer support space, explore an educational topic, or
teach a new skill. Workshop events are held on a drop-in basis and do not require a prior screening call.
One-time sessions
• One-time appointments with a trauma therapist to provide emotional support and more information
about our services.
Medical Advocacy
• Preventative treatment for STIs, HIV, and pregnancy; and treatment for injuries
Legal Advocacy
• Assistance regarding reporting to law enforcement, navigating your personal safety or how sexual
assault has impacted your status as an employee, student or immigrant we are here to help

9. Y O U R R O L E
Practice Active Bystander Intervention
• Create a Distractions
• Ask Directly
• Rally Others
• Extend Support
Help Someone You Care About
• Listen. Be there. Communicate without judgement
• Encourage survivors to get support. Share resources.
• Be Patient
• Encourage self-care
How to Support a Loved One
• T.A.L.K Method

10. L e t ’ s
V o l u n t e e r !
Volunteer Medical Advocates
Requirements:
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Complete 60-hour Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention training
• Complete a federal criminal background check
• Etc.
Short-term Opportunities: Special Events
Resilience hosts special events, including a wide variety of events
during Sexual Assault Awareness Month where volunteers can assist
with making grounding stones, decorating t-shirts, and participating
in an open mic or demonstration.

11. Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | National SAAM Day of Action
– Wear Teal
All Day
Social media everywhere
Each year on the first Tuesday of April, supporters
bring awareness to Sexual Assault Awareness Month
by wearing teal. Share a selfie of your teal look on
social media, tag @ResilienceChi, and use #SAAM and
#SAAMChi.
Friday, April 19, 2023 | Standing Silent Witness
11:45 am – 1:00 pm CT
Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602)
Resilience’s signature SAAM event. In a visual demonstration of the silencing of
survivors, participants gather silently for one hour wearing t-shirts with stories and
messages protesting sexual violence and rape culture. We invite participants to sit or
stand for as long or short as they’d like. This powerful event includes community
members, advocates, volunteers, and survivors amplifying stories that are too often
ignored as a way to break the silence about sexual violence. At the end of that hour,
we will break the silence and hear directly from survivors.

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