Senator Winfield Rallies for Stronger Sexual Assault Laws
Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) today joined the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence during a Solidarity for Survivors Rally at Legislative Office Building to say “We Believe You” to victims of sexual violence and advocate for legislation combatting sexual assault and sexual harassment in Connecticut.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Here are some facts and figures regarding sexual assault in Connecticut:
Nearly one in five Connecticut residents (19 percent) has experienced a sexual assault in their lifetime.
One in four (26 percent) Connecticut women are sexual assault survivors.
One in eleven women in Connecticut reported being a rape survivor.
14 percent of Connecticut residents experienced childhood sexual assault. Nearly one in five girls (18 percent) and one in fourteen boys (7 percent) had been victims of child sexual abuse.
Only 16 percent of survey respondents who were victims of forcible penetration reported their rape to police.
60 percent of victims have told a friend or neighbor about their rape. 32 percent of victims have never told anyone about being raped.
10 percent of Connecticut men are sexual assault survivors.
Of the victims who never told anyone about being raped, 24 percent remained silent because they felt ashamed.
37 percent of Connecticut residents who do not consider themselves victims of sexual assault said they know someone who is.
69 percent of Connecticut residents consider sexual violence to be a problem in their community.
70 percent of Connecticut residents report that their parents never discussed sexual assault with them while growing up.
67 percent of Connecticut residents had heard or seen information about sexual assault. The most common sources were television, newspapers, and magazines.
