To the editor,

The Department of Public Safety recently released their yearly statistical report, Crime in Maine, 2004, which reported that rape was down 10.5 percent in 2004. While the Department’s numbers provide an important snapshot of the issue, they represent only the rapes which are actually reported to police. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, in 2003, only 39% of all rape/sexual assaults were reported to law enforcement. This makes it difficult to determine whether sexual assault incidents are decreasing, increasing, or holding steady.

We do know that in 2004, Maine’s 10 sexual assault support centers had 11,257 contacts with victim/survivors through the statewide sexual assault crisis and support line. This number alone indicates that sexual assault remains a prevalent problem for Maine citizens. Additionally, national statistics demonstrate that one in four women and one in six men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

Victim/survivors of sexual assault should know that they are not alone, and that the sexual assault support centers in Maine have trained advocates who will listen and work with them through their healing, medical and legal processes, which include supporting them with their decision to report their assault to police. To access these free and confidential services, victim/survivors and their supporters may call the sexual assault crisis and support line at: 1-800-871-7741, or TTY: 1-888-458-5599, 24 hours a day. For more information, visit www.mecasa.org.

Sarah Stewart

Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Copy the Story Link