The document discusses statistics on sexual assault in Maine, noting that nearly 1 in 5 Maine residents report being the victim of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. It states that rape is a crime of violence rather than a sexual crime, and is one of the most underreported violent crimes. The document also outlines common reactions to sexual assault known as Rape Trauma Syndrome and emphasizes that prevention requires changing social and cultural norms through a public health model.

1. Individual trauma
Sexual Assault

2. Definitions
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual assault
FBI Uniform crime report definition of rape

3. Maine picture
• A recent study found that nearly 1 in 5 Maine
residents (adults) report that they have been the
victim of rape or attempted rape during their
lifetime. 29% of women; 7.5 of men(rape
response services, rrsonline.org)
• Approx 14000 Maine residents are victims of
unwanted sexual activity in any given 12 month
period(rrs.org)
• 39% of victims who call in state hotlines do so
within the first month following assault

4. • Almost 90% of those who call Maine's sexual
assault crisis lines are women
• Preble street(Portland) reports that 44% of
women interviewed for their report, Women
and Homelessness reported being a victim of
sexual assault since becoming homeless.

5. • Rape is a crime of violence, not a “sexual”
crime in the sense most people think of
• Many, including national police organizations
and the FBI, believe rape is one of the most
underreported violent crimes
• Rape and sexual assault happens at the same
rate per capita regardless of where one lives
> slight increase in college towns

6. • Many factors influence this crime
>Socio- cultural
>Family systems
> Previous trauma history
Once traumatized, people are more likely to be
re-victimized. May lose, or have never
developed knowledge of self protective
behaviors

7. • Most victims know their perpetrator
• Victims are often stalked prior to assault
• Perpetrator knows patterns of behavior of
victims

8. Rape Trauma Syndrome
• Common reaction to rape or sexual assault
• 3 phases (handout)
• Relationship of symptoms to PTSD
• Support, counseling can minimize PTSD effects
• With any trauma , active coping vs. passive
coping influences development of PTSD
Active= decrease; passive = increase
• Partner counseling

9. Prevention
• Public Health Model – societal factors that
influence the incidence of rape / sexual
violence in our society
• Changing social and cultural norms
• FBI definitions recent change due to major
public health initiative