Sexual and gender based violence impact thousands of people living in the United States every year. Data from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center demonstrates nearly one in five women in the U.S. have been victims of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. The percentage of women who have been victims of sexual assault and harassment is estimated to be as high as 80%. Sexual and gender based violence disproportionately impacts LGBTQ and transgender people as well.
Our conversation with leading experts in sexual and gender based violence pushes back on the myth of the perfect victim and the deeply problematic barriers this trope presents to prosecuting sexual violence. Our conversation provides prosecutors with specific guidance on how to improve victim services for survivors of sexual violence.