I absolutely agree.  I'm so glad you brought it up.

i can't believe this issue doesn't have more votes... it's extremely important that the next generation of women is more safe than we are today.

YES!  President Obama can start by urging that VAWA money actually be fullly appropriated and committed and then get it to those of us at the local anti-sexual violence programs and state coalitions in a timely and helpful way, so we can actually have funds to pay our staff (at full levels rather than 1 or 2 people per county!) and be able to implement our awareness and prevention ideas (we have the ideas, just not the money!)
-Laura (Counselor, educator and activist)

I agree we need to need to increase our efforts toward sexual violence prevention. It is an issue that touches all of society both men and women. There needs to be increased funding in support of sexual violence prevention and intervention efforts. It is true there is an epidemic going on and we need to stand up and make a change. Please increase VAWA funding so our children will know that we will prevent violence and we care enough to create a safe world.  

As someone who works in the field of sexual violence, I can attest to the fact that people prefer to believe this does not occur. I've witnessed victims being intimidated by law enforcement, accused of being prostitutes and being blamed for the not "fighting back."  The rates of rape cases that are successfully prosecuted are dismal.  The resources are not available for mental health services so desperately needed by survivors of sexual violence.  We need action not more empty promises!

Now is the time to stand together and let our voices be heard.  Rape Crisis Centers desperately need more funding for direct services in order to meet the need in our communities.  We also need additional resources so that we can implement programs designed to prevent the perpetration of sexual violence. 

Get serious about ending sexual assault and domestic violence against women!

Rape Crisis Centers have historically been underfunded in NJ.  It is amazing what the Sexual Violence programs can do to run 24 hour programs, 7 days a week.  It is time that they receive the funding to adequately run 24 hour programs, 7 days a week. 

i was raped at my college and the cops didn't do a thing about it but slap me with a $1600 medical bill for my own rape kit and blame me for what happened to me. there has to be some kind of change. i don't understand why rape is seen as such a joke. it's horrific and happens all too often. too many of my friends have been through the same thing at my school and others. it's unsettling. i'm all for change. there needs to be justice.

So many of my fellow men think that when a woman says "no," we can continue to pressure, cajole and manipulate until she changes her mind.  This, I believe, provides the foundation for sexual violence to continue - if the Obama administration chooses sexual violence as a priority, it could change how men think about women - as human beings worthy of respect, instead of property to be owned or objectified. 

It is time for our voices to be heard and end sexual violence.

I totally agree... the expectation and violence of some men that women are theirs to treat as (badly) they want without being challenged has to end. The more support there is from the top, the more effective the grass roots efforts will be as well. It's time for EVERYONE to pull together and end this shameful epidemic!

We can get serious by ensuring VAWA money be fullly appropriated and committed and to ensure that it remains accessible to communities, rape crisis centers and state sexual assault coalitions.

As both a survivor of Rape and an avocate for all crime victims, this is an important issue. Rape affects many people every year. The victim's of rape are scared emotionally and there friends and family also feel the effects of the rape. It's important that we not oly fund services for rape victims but to also create harsher punisment on the perpotrators.

Focus on the goal to End sexual Violence

Increase the funding!! The work involved in ending sexual violence requires communities alike to get involved.  Rape crisis centers and state coalitions CAN NOT, I repeat, CAN NOT do it with out adequate funding. 

This is great Lynn! Im so proud to spread this word and send positive energy to the Change Camp to take note of such a worthy and underserved cause for change!

I agree, this needs more votes. Primary prevention needs to be key in ending men's violence against women. Men must also play a role if we are to truly stop sexual violence.

I do have one question, where does this come from: "1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted and/or raped during her lifetime" I have not seen this except for numbers talking about intimate partner violence. We as a movement have been disbelieve and survivors disregarded in the past for not always having the correct data.

I agree. Ending sexual violence should be a very high priority for the Obama administration. One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18. In addition, nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults) occur to children ages 17 and under. Research clearly shows the links between adverse childhood experiences and the lifelong psychological, emotional, social, and physical conditions experienced by victims. Placing a high priority on ending sexual violence is not only important to end violence, it also will have a positive impact on public health, specifically, teenage pregnancy, teenage prostitution, adolescent and adult depression, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, obesity, PTSD, and suicide. In addition, ending sexual violence will have a positive impact on a child’s ability to learn and grow. A 1996 National Institute of Justice study estimated that each year child sexual abuse in America costs the nation $23 billion.  (Note that is more than the auto industry “rescue” package.)

Sexual Violence is at the root of most harm in our world today.  It can be linked to substance abuse, suicide, depression, poor school performance, ptsd, WAR, criminality, sexual risk behavior/std's, eating disorders, harassment, homelessness, homophobia, self injury, pornography including child pornography, teen pregnancy, gun, gang, school, dating & domestic/family violence and more.  And individuals with different abilities are 3X more likely to be affected by most if not all of the above. At the root of it all is oppression.  

STOPPING THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT HAPPENS (primary prevention - PP), it is the most effective, including cost, solution. It takes everyone to cultivate a world free from sexual violence. That is, A World of Respect & Equality for all. 

To prevent SV, is to prevent all of the above.  We need to work together equally regarless of body parts/sex identity to change the conditions that allow sexual violence to thrive in our world.  This needs to be addressed first in order for real change to occur.  Issues like silence, denial, unhealthy male & female sex role socialization and false norms about violence (See Prevention Institute in CA) are perpetuated by males/females equally.  SV is not a Female or Male issue, it is a human issue.  It is not about men saving women by stopping SV.  Everyone is harmed by SV regarless of body parts and everyone must work together equally to stop it before it happens.  We then have created a caring, compassionate, responsive, honest world where there are effective resources for those that have been harmed as well as for the person that is harming others. (Again regarldless of body parts).  This is a world where everyone knows how to prevent SV and when it does happen, every one comes forward to help with love and support.  In the mean time, we are having fun and feeling safe.  Promote good to end bad.  Its that simple.  Respect is the norm.

As a director for a rape crisis program, sexual violence needs to come to the attention of the nation.  A victim who does not survive is quick to get national recognition.  We given importance in the national news to every horrendous, heinous deed that robs a victim of his/her life, but we are insensitive to all the survivors of this crime unless the rape is a stranger rape (which is less then 30%).  Our laws are not touch enough to deal with the  perpetrators of sexual violence.  It is time we rise up as a nation and take care of a terrible social problem!  When the punishment fits the crime, we will begin to see less "repeat" offenders.

AVID about advocacy for sexual assault survivors!

Fully funding rape crisis centers is a critical need.  Over the years funding has been cut, while the population (hence the need) has increased. 

Rape Crisis Centers NEED more money in orer to protect the women of America, and to help those affected by rape and sexual violence.  I am a survivor of rape, and I can't tell you how the Rape Crisis Center I went to saved my life.  We need to help raise awareness and prevent violence against women.  Minnesota is working to end sexual violence and calls it a health hazard.  Every state needs to adopt this as a priority.  It's important and vital to change in the US.

I am a survivor. My perpetrator had similar cases in two different States and still doesn't have to register. He is in prison, but he should have been convicted of the actual crime.  My local agency (SARPA) came to my rescue. However, I had to call them. The hospital that I went to only gave me information. They never called the agency to have someone there for me. I called to get support on my own afterwards. If I would have not called them, I do not know where I would be right now. I am a mother and a wife. This happened in my home two years ago. The judical system is too laxed on this situation. Why was he able to plea? Where are my rights? I have childern that could have been inflicted by his actions. I am so thankful that they did not. However, I did. I will carry on, but I do not want this person to ever do this to anyone else. He may be out on the sreets in the next coulple of years. This is a problem that needs to be adressed. We all need to do our part!!!!

I wholeheartedly agree.  His leadership on this issue would send a very powerful message to men and women across racial and class lines.

Sexual violence against women and, especially, girls an issue that the president-elect should charge the Departments of Health and Human Services and Justice to make a priority.

My thoughts go with you

I'd like to add that most rape kits aren't even tested. They sit and collect dust on a shelf in the local evidence room. Many murders start with rape and escalate, often moving county to county. We need to make a national rape database containing the DNA collected from rape kits in every state and have it run constant comparisions so that law enforcement can be notified of repeat offenders and have a chance to stop them before they murder. This could also help women to press charges against the offenders. If they have been entered in the database several times before, that makes for a stronger case. Most of these guys get let off due to lack of sufficient evidence. It's the "She wanted it" defense. Unnacceptable that this continues in such an advanced culture as ours. Every woman I have ever met (seriously) has been raped and/or molested. It's enough to make you scared of leaving the house, thinking "I could be next".

This is indeed a crucial issue, but I would add special emphasis on the problems of drug-facilitated sexual assault.  There is a lack of training and most importantly a lack of funding for adequate testing.  We are missing so many of these cases due to lack of awareness of drug symptoms by first responders and lack of testing to adequately address this issue.

We agree!

http://www.womenspeakoutnow.com

Silence and Turning a Blind Eye to such a traumatic act...KILLS! Take responsibility and speak out about rape and all of its psychological effects.

Need more info as I am writing a book.

As a forensic nurse for the past twenty-one years, working in the field of caring for victims of violence - both sexual and physical, male and female, I am constantly saddened by the lack of awareness the public and our law makers seem to have for these victims.  Agencies constantly have to fight for funding and, as is happening right now in San Francisco, services are cut, with little notice.  I am attending as many public health commission meetings as I can and stressing that child sexual abuse is epidemic and it is a major public health issue.  There MUST be services and therapy for children and adults.

As a SANE nurse and one who is dedicated to help stop sexual and domestic violence something needs to be done immediately!!! We have to jump through soooo many loop holes to get any funding to help our own societies.  How many people even know there is a FEDERAL law out called PREA, prison rape elimination act, there are sexual predators in prison who prey on the weak.  When the weak get paroled guess who commits the most sexually violent crimes against our communities? Yup, the ones who didn't even go to prison for a sexual crime but want retaliation for what happened to them inside.  We need more funding and government help to protect the innocent and punish the sexual predators.

We not only should not charge victims for evidence collection, but collection should be done by a trained professional such as a Forensic Nurse Examiner and or a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner! This is crucial for the victim and the evidence! I have been a Forensic Nurse for 9 years and we make a difference!

   As a forensic nurse, most of my interactions deal with caring for victims of sexual assault after the violence has occurred. I agree that funding is essential to ensure that every victim receives care from a competent nurse skilled in all aspects of the forensic exam. Just as important is a focus on prevention. Funds must be allocated to provide education to pre-teens, teens, and young men and women as to healthy relationships and safety issues. However, there is no way we provide this vital education without the support of our government.

As an advocate and survivor of sexual violence, this funding is essential! Funding for intervention and prevention should be mandatory for federal and state budgets.

Restore and increase sexual assault funding so that we may keep the professional staff that we have and add staff that have resigned and we were unable to replace.  Services for victims of sexual violence and prevention education programs are key in our fight to end sexual violence. ABSOLUTELY, THIS SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF OBAMA'S LIST FOR CHANGE!

The incidence and prevalence of sexual violence, especially against women and children, is a disgrace to America in the 21st century. The eradication of sexual violence must be one of the top priorities at the national level and in each and every state and territory.  The time is for a concerted effort and coordination of resources under a national policy.

Funding is essencial to continue to work and provide services to victims of sexual violence,and to continue to train profesionals in this area where so much commitment is needed.

Leadership on sexual violence issues means willingness to name it, talk about it and fully fund rape crisis centers, special investigation units, state coalitions, offender treatment programs and community-based programs serving underserved and marginalized populations.  Most important, though is a massive commitment to prevention education, especially for adults to help take responsibility for recognition of sexual offending behavior and knowing what to do about it.  Right now, prevention is a popular concept, but we have to really invest in its success if we are going to transform our cultural understand of the pervasive willingness to passively accept social and cultural myths and messages continuing to support the acceptability of sexual violence.

I happen to be lucky enough to currently live and work in a state
where the policymakers are starting to take seriously the need for prevention.  It would be a critical boost at the national level if the funding formula for the Rape Prevention Education funds to states was changed so that all states and territories got a base
grant that allows suffiecient resources to sustain adequate prevention work, with additional funding based on a population formula.  This would send a strong message national leaders recognize the essential nature of sexual violence prevention. 

In these tight economic times many people unfortunately see government deficits as an opportunity to attack funding for programs that provide critical services to victims of sex crimes.

For example, in Olmsted County, Minnesota the volunteer coordinator position for the rape crisis line who helps bring in about $400,000 worth of volunteer time may not be filled. Other staff members do what they can to pick up the slack, but they can only be stretched so far. I volunteered with that program for over 9 years and I know how critical this job is to providing 365/24/7 crisis services. As someone who was raped before these types of programs were widely available, I know what can happen without these services. Yet in the local paper online comments one man called these services "fluff" that shouldn't be a taxpayer responsibility.

The Minnesota Dept. of Health commissioned a study about the economic impact of sexual assault. Here's the title of their press release: Cost of sexual assault in Minnesota was approximately $8 billion in 2005

http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/cost071707.html

This study confirms that sexual assault prevention expenses for effective programs provide a good return on the dollar both in safety and money. Economics alone support effective rape prevention -- especially in times of recession. 

While 90% of the victims of sexual assault are female this cannot be just a women's issue. It is a human rights issue. That makes it non-optional.

We need more funds for prevention and awareness...we must educate our communities about sexual assualt/rape as well as our young - most of them don't event know they have been raped.  Then we need the funds to provide counseling and continuing support after the rape has occured. 

One small simple and free thing that could affect some change: Mr Obama, as a leader, would do well not to use, support, perpetuate "girly" as a pejorative term.

As a SANE in the 8th poorest district in the country, I see sexual violence on almost a daily basis.  The lack of education on this issue is striking and the results are often catastrophic. An uneducated community often lets perpetrators off with "not guilty" simply because they fall into denial about the problem or the "consent" defense has worked because the victim didn't "act" the "right" way.  
The emotional, mental and physical devastation that can and often does occur not only affects the individual but the victim's family and ultimately the entire community.
We must make preventing and ending sexual violence against ALL people a priority at the federal, state, and local levels.  As with most free standing sexual assault centers, funding is limited and recruiting and retaining dedicated, compassionate staff is very difficult.
I strongly urge the new administration to make this issue #1 on the top ten list of things to do.  Many Americans will benefit.

Sexual violence has touched everyone in one way or another. It is a crime that is like no other; instead of ending once the physical attack is complete the real attack actually begins. The attack on one's soul. Please let our voices be heard.

I totally agree.  We need to start making sure victims are not being re-victimized.  There should be no reason for charging them for an examination.  They have gone through enough.  Sexual abuse has been going on for years and hurts the entire community.  It is time we put more resources into the prevention of this violence. 

As the economy worsens, crime rates, including sexual violence, are rising and victim services agencies are experiencing drastic funding cuts. Many agencies will be forced to lay off personnel, decreasing services to these victims, many of whom are children.  Please focus intently on helping victims of sexual assault, especially the tragic, defenseless children.

I am coming from the position of a survivor of both sexual and physical abuse from over a span of 10 years.  Now I am a educator for an amazing rape crisis center.  We are living in a society that has blurred the guard rails in life called morals, values, respect and responsibility to the point where they are no more.  I have found that I am able to offer to our adults the same programs we offer to our school aged children and with very positive outcomes.  We are desperately in need of re-educating not only the children in our community but everyone else regardless of age and social class.  This epidemic of sexual assault in my opinion is becoming a silent killer.  And of the worst kind of death, a death of the soul and the self.  We have so many men and women committed to raising the awareness of the people but we need help!   We need to have a decent wage and one that is not constantly being threatened to be taken away.  We need a government that understands and accepts that this is a major issue and is willing to step up and assist in affecting our world in a POSITIVE WAY!

Please visit our site: riverviewcenter.org

I agree with Christina Rios. Education is key, and our culture is educating to the objectification of women as ornamental toys to be compared, used and as scapegoats for the faults of offenders. I don't advocate censorship. Let there be PSAs to educate the mainstream (including Mr Obama) that refering to things "female" as pejorative is the same thing as refering to things "black" as a derogatory, and so on... as in, "we wouldn't want to have a Jewish dog in the whitehouse (roll eyes)." Stop making people targets of slapstick and abuse because of their genitals. It's all hate.