The 68th Second: Part I
Trigger Warning: This article discusses sexual assault, rape, and trauma, which may be distressing for some readers.
FACT CHECK: TRUE
Every 68 seconds: that’s how often someone is sexually assaulted in the United States.
If it takes you five minutes to read this article, approximately 4.4 sexual assaults will have taken place by the time you are done. This means four people in the United States will have been assaulted, and a fifth person will be in the middle of being assaulted as you close this article (RAINN, 2024). If you’re a slow reader like I am and it takes you 10 minutes to read this, almost 9 people in the United States will have been sexually assaulted by the time you finish. This alarming frequency underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the United States justice system to better support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
Given the alarming frequency of sexual assaults, it's crucial to understand the profound psychological impact these experiences have on survivors. One of the most common and debilitating consequences is the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (NSVRC, 2020). According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), approximately 94% of women who are raped experience symptoms of PTSD during the two weeks following the rape, and 30% still experience PTSD symptoms nine months later (NSVRC, 2020).
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) identifies common symptoms of PTSD, including flashbacks, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event (APA, 2013). Specific to sexual assault survivors, symptoms often include intense feelings of shame, hypervigilance, and a pervasive sense of mistrust (RAINN, 2024). These PTSD symptoms, while common and expected reactions to trauma, are frequently used by the legal system to discredit survivors, casting doubt on their credibility and stability.
A TALE AS OLD AS TIME
Unfortunately, survivors being discredited—especially female survivors—is a tale as old as time. As Rebecca Solnit highlights in Cassandra Among the Creeps, the story of Cassandra—a figure from Greek mythology cursed to utter true prophecies that no one believed—epitomizes how women’s voices have been historically dismissed.
Solnit also points out how telling it is that modern society is more familiar with the story of the Boy Who Cried Wolf, a tale about a lying man who is believed more than once, while Cassandra’s story—the story of a woman telling the truth, but who is cursed to be disbelieved—gets far less attention. As Solnit aptly observes, if we could recognize and address this entrenched cycle of discrediting, we could move beyond the constant need to question a woman's credibility whenever she speaks. Solnit poignantly concludes:
“One more thing about Cassandra: in the most famous version of the myth, the disbelief with which her prophecies were met was the result of a curse placed on her by Apollo when she refused to have sex with the god. The idea that loss of credibility is tied to asserting rights over your own body was there all along. But with the real-life Cassandras among us, we can lift the curse by making up our own minds about who to believe and why" (Solnit, 2014).
Many survivors have questions about their sexual traumas that reveal trademark symptoms of PTSD. In their distress, overwhelmed by the guilt and shame that are hallmark symptoms of PTSD, they turn anonymously to the internet for answers and help. If you are ever on Reddit looking under “relationship advice” or if you type into Quora, “Is it sexual assault if...” you will find a disturbing trend.Hundreds of similar questions flood the platforms:
"Is this sexual assault? I feel violated."
"Did I get sexually assaulted, especially if we still had our clothes on?"
"Is it still sexual assault if I didn’t say 'no' at that moment and actually said 'yes' because they kept pressuring me?"
"Was I sexually assaulted if I was uncomfortable with what he was doing to me, even if I didn't make it completely clear I wanted him to stop?"
"Is it sexual assault if I didn't say no?"
"Is it still sexual assault if I didn’t say no or stop?"
"What does it mean when a rape victim says they 'just froze' during the assault?"
"How do I know if it’s sexual assault or I’m just overreacting?"
"Was I sexually assaulted? I said yes but I really didn’t want to do it and my entire body was shaking but I don’t know if it should have been on him to stop but I didn’t want to tell him no because I felt guilty."
"Can somebody tell me if I was sexually assaulted or if I'm just overreacting?"
"Is it considered sexual assault if I said 'sure' but I wasn’t sure if I actually wanted to do it? I just was kind of agreeing with him."
"Is it still sexual assault if they didn’t ask?"
"Is it still rape when you wanted to say no but were too scared to say it?"
"Is it considered rape/SA if you didn't want it but didn't say no?"
“Is it considered rape if you tell someone to stop in the middle of sexual intercourse and they don't until they finished?”
"Why didn't victims of sexual assault just say no and leave?"
"Is it considered rape if after saying 'no' multiple times, I finally gave in?"
"What do I call what happened to me?"
Is it rape? Is it rape? Is it rape?
Subscribe for Part II of The 68th Second—where we will dive into critical discussions on the limbic brain, trauma responses, orgasms, consent, and the ways trauma symptoms are weaponized in courtrooms. These insights are essential for understanding the full impact of sexual violence and the legal challenges survivors face.
ACKNOWLEDGING VULNERABILITIES
While this article focuses primarily on the gender bias and the weaponization of PTSD symptoms in the courtroom to discredit female victims of assault, it is crucial to acknowledge that members of the transgender and LGBTQ community are especially vulnerable to assault and bias. Research indicates that transgender individuals, particularly transgender women of color, face significantly higher rates of sexual violence (Human Rights Campaign, 2021). Data from the Human Rights Campaign reveals that nearly half of transgender individuals will experience sexual assault in their lifetime, with transgender women of color facing even greater risks (Human Rights Campaign, 2021).
Racial disparities also exist, with African American women experiencing higher rates of sexual violence than their white counterparts. African American women often face multiple layers of discrimination, increasing their vulnerability to sexual assault and complicating their access to support and justice. For instance, African American women are statistically more likely to encounter sexual violence than white women, and systemic issues such as economic disparities and racial biases within the legal system further exacerbate these challenges, making it less likely for them to report and seek justice (RAINN, 2024).
It is also important to recognize that men are subjected to sexual assault, with approximately 1 in 6 men experiencing sexual violence at some point in their lives (1in6.org, 2021). Additionally, this article does not address the impacts of rape and assault on children, which is a critical and deeply concerning issue deserving of comprehensive attention and action.
Addressing the unique challenges faced by all survivors, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, is crucial in the pursuit of justice and equitable treatment within the legal system. Recognizing these biases is the first step towards change. However, beyond structural reforms, immediate support for survivors is equally important. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, several resources are available to provide assistance and support.
IMMEDIATE HELP AND RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, resources are available to provide support. Organizations like the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) offer confidential assistance through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE and their online chat service at rainn.org. If in immediate danger, contacting local law enforcement or emergency services is essential. To protect privacy, those in unsafe environments should clear their browser history after reading this article.
Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) programs offer essential support for survivors, providing comprehensive medical and forensic care, including evidence collection and treatment for injuries. These programs ensure that survivors receive compassionate care while preserving critical forensic evidence that can aid in prosecuting perpetrators. To find a SAFE program near you, visit the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women website or contact local hospitals and crisis centers for referrals. SAFE programs are vital in supporting survivors and helping them navigate the legal system. Additionally, the state covers medical costs for these services.
Sources
1in6.org. (2021). Statistics on Male Sexual Assault. https://1in6.org
American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Human Rights Campaign. (2021). Sexual Assault and the LGBTQ Community. Human Rights Campaign. https://www.hrc.org
NSVRC. (2020). Statistics About Sexual Violence. National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
Quora. (n.d.). Is It Sexual Assault If…? https://www.quora.com
RAINN. (2024). Get Help. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. https://rainn.org/
RAINN. (2024). Statistics on Sexual Violence. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.
Reddit. (n.d.). Relationship Advice Subreddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice
Solnit, R. (2014). Cassandra Among the Creeps. In Men Explain Things to Me. Haymarket Books.
U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. (n.d.). Resources for Survivors. https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-for-survivors
U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. (n.d.). Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Program.