Rape and sexual violenceRape and sexual violence is a very serious problem that affects millions of people every year. Rape is someone taking sexual advantage of another person. Sexual assault can be verbal, physical, visual, or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention. (“Sexual assault.”) Rape is one of the most underreported crimes. In 2002, only thirty-nine percent of rapes and sexual assaults were reported to legal authorities. (“Sexual Violence: Fact Sheet.”) Sometimes victims do not report rape out of shame or a feeling that it was their fault. It's never the victim's fault. “Victim blaming” involves holding the victim of a crime responsible in whole or in part for what happened to them. Most victims believe this. ("Myths and facts about sexual violence.") One in six women and one in thirty-three men have been raped. Generally, women are raped before the age of eighteen and men before the age of twelve. Women are more likely than men to report rape. Among young high school students nationwide, nine percent reported being raped. Among college students nationwide, between twenty and twenty-five percent of women reported experiencing attempted rape. Among the country's adults, more than 300,000 women and more than 90,000 men reported being raped in the previous twelve months. (“Sexual Violence: Fact Sheet.”) Women are more likely to be victims of rape or sexual violence than men. Seventy-eight percent of victims are women and twenty-two percent are men. Women raped before the age of eighteen are twice as likely to be raped again as adults. Victims are at greater risk of being raped or sexually assaulted when intoxicated. ("Sexual Violence: Fact Sh...... middle of paper......rapidly our world today. There are hundreds of places people can go to get help or more information about rape and sexual violence It is very important that when and if this happens, the victim should immediately report the crime to the authorities. People must know the truth about rape and sexual violence. and know what to do about it Work Cited Carson-Dewitt, Rosalyn, MD Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco Volume 1. New York, Macmillan, 2003. Carson-Dewitt, Rosalyn, MD Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco, Volume 3. New. York, Macmillan, 2003. “Myths and Facts about Sexual Violence.” www.usdoj.gov/ovw/MythsFactSexualViolence.htm. “Sexual Assault.” National Women's Health Information Center. . “Sexual Violence: Fact Sheet” .gov/ncipc/factsheets/svfacts.htm..