Sexual violence happens in every community. Victims are never to blame.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Together, we can build safe online spaces.
Check out these prevention resources from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) on preventing online harassment and abuse, keeping kids safe online, and digital consent and boundaries.
Newly released: Sexual Violence Prevention Infographics
Sexual violence impacts everyone, but disproportionately affects people in marginalized communities.
In Wisconsin:
- Nearly one in five high school students (19.9%) reported that someone has forced them "to do sexual things they did not want to do." (Youth Risk Behavior Survey)
- 43.4% of LGBT students have experienced sexual assault or coercion. (Youth Risk Behavior Survey)
Nationally:
- One in three women and one in six men have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. (National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey)
- 90% of victims know the person who assaulted them. (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network)
What you can do
- Support victims and survivors
- Know and practice consent
- Be an active bystander
- Help shift harmful norms
- Be aware of the language you use
- Build connections and support organization and events in your community that are working to end sexual violence
Looking for support?
You can find information on the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA) website to connect with a service provider near you.
WCASA's Events page includes a list of events happening during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) 2021. From 10-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays in April there will be presentations for survivors and allies.
- April 6th: Reclaiming Sexual/Intimate Pleasure for Survivors (Speaker: Erran Daniels)
- April 13th: Healthy Masculinity (Speaker: Jorge Vidal)
- April 20th: Spoken Word (Spoken Word Artist T)
- April 27th: Online Reiki (with Vaughnceli Shepherd)
Sexual violence is a verbal and/or physical act that breaks a person's trust and safety and is sexual in nature. Behaviors range from sexual harassment to unwanted fondling to forced penetration.
All are done without consent.
Sexual assault is defined in Wis. Stat. § 940.225 (Sexual Assault); Wis. Stat. § 940.32 (Stalking); Wis. Stat. § 948.02–948.11 (Sexual Assault of a Child); Wis. Stat. § 940.302 (Human trafficking).
Publications
- Sexual Violence Prevention Needs Assessment Report 2018-2019, P-02445 (PDF)
- Sexual Violence in Wisconsin, P-02763 (PDF)
- Not Safe at Home? Statewide Resources for Interpersonal Violence, P-02772 (multiple languages)
Sexual Violence Prevention Infographics:
Resources
Education and prevention programs:
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services Sexual Violence Prevention Program and Adolescent Health Program
- Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Information for schools on how to reduce and respond to sexual violence.
- Did you know that 1 in 5 teens experience dating violence in Wisconsin? Learn more at Dare2Know Wisconsin.
Program services for survivors:
- Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA)’s list of providers and available services for survivors of sexual violence
- Wisconsin Department of Justice, Office of Crime Victim Services
Peer-support program for LGBTQ+ youth
Mental Health America of Wisconsin's PRISM Program connects LGBTQ+ youth with trained peer-specialists to provide free emotional and mental health support and mentorship.
Online and toll-free warmline: 414-336-7974
Additional data sources:
- National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS)
- National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), Sexual Orientation Report
- US Transgender Survey
(Note: Data from a large, non-randomized sample of the transgender community) - Wisconsin Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Information and Analysis, Uniform Crime Reporting data dashboards(Note: the data displayed on these dashboards may not match the factsheet, as the dashboard and factsheet use different methodology. Please review notes on the dashboards for more information.)
- Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Report (2019)
Contact Information
Division of Public Health
PO Box 2659
Madison, WI 53701-2659
Email: dhsadhealth@dhs.wisconsin.gov
