It is kind of a shame that we have to designate a month as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Regrettably, sexual assault is nearly a national epidemic. Many sexual assaults are never reported. And as a result, sexual assault is undoubtedly a bigger problem than statistics suggest.

The #MeToo movement has refocused the public’s awareness on sexual predation and harassment.

Here are some frightening statistics:

1 in 6 women have survived an attempted or completed rape in their lifetimes;
17,700,000 women, by estimate, have been the victims of rape since 1998;
Nearly 99% of perpetrators of sexual violence walk free;
7 out of 10 rapes are committed by someone the victim knows;
93% of child sexual abuse perpetrators are known by the victim;
13% of female rape survivors attempt suicide;
Annually, sexual violence and abuse cost the U.S. as much as $750,000,000,000.

To be certain, awareness is only the first step toward prevention. As a nation, we first need to be aware of the full extent of the epidemic of violence. Then, and only then, can we formulate strategies for avoidance and for attending to the devastating effects of such violence. Be a part of solutions. At Monsees & Mayer, we work to increase awareness of sexual assault. If you or a loved one has been one of the 321,000 annual victims of sexual violence, we can help you put your life back together.