Disturbed
I went through my first day of training for the Rape Response program on Saturday. One of the things I took away with me was both disheartening and encouraging at the same time.
Did you know that only 10-15% of rapes are reported (I knew that)
Statistically - of 100 rapes that occur
15 are reported (ok knew that)
8 result with an arrest (What????)
6 are prosecuted (HUH!0
4 are convicted (WTF!!!!!!!!!)
My first reaction - why bother reporting it at all if this is the track record???
Then, it dawned on me, by reporting it, Rape Response gets involved. From there, they get a person who is there for THEM. Someone who will not judge them. Someone who will listen to them. Someone who will accept them. They have police there asking questions, sometimes rude and intimate. They have nurses there to collect evidence, but not really to help them. They have family members there who are either there to help them, but not always. They don't often have someone on THEIR side. We are their safe place. CDC has a study that shows that women who have this kind of support do get through this better than women who only receive clinical assistance. Also, Rape Response gets them services. Counciling, health care services etc... These are things they wouldn't have if they DIDN'T report it.
That my friends is now why I do this. Not to get the criminal (though if it happens, its icing on the cake), its to get them the support and help they need to continue surviving. Because they aren't victims, they are survivors. And there is a big difference between the two.
Did you know that only 10-15% of rapes are reported (I knew that)
Statistically - of 100 rapes that occur
15 are reported (ok knew that)
8 result with an arrest (What????)
6 are prosecuted (HUH!0
4 are convicted (WTF!!!!!!!!!)
My first reaction - why bother reporting it at all if this is the track record???
Then, it dawned on me, by reporting it, Rape Response gets involved. From there, they get a person who is there for THEM. Someone who will not judge them. Someone who will listen to them. Someone who will accept them. They have police there asking questions, sometimes rude and intimate. They have nurses there to collect evidence, but not really to help them. They have family members there who are either there to help them, but not always. They don't often have someone on THEIR side. We are their safe place. CDC has a study that shows that women who have this kind of support do get through this better than women who only receive clinical assistance. Also, Rape Response gets them services. Counciling, health care services etc... These are things they wouldn't have if they DIDN'T report it.
That my friends is now why I do this. Not to get the criminal (though if it happens, its icing on the cake), its to get them the support and help they need to continue surviving. Because they aren't victims, they are survivors. And there is a big difference between the two.