SAN MARCOS — Sexual violence is a major public health problem. It affects people of all ages and backgrounds, taking many forms, including any unwanted sexual behavior or contact.
Public health isn’t just about hospitals or vaccines; it’s about creating conditions where people can live safe, healthy lives and sexual violence threatens that safety in a deep and lasting way.
More than one in three women and about one in four men in the United States have experienced some form of sexual violence involving physical contact in their lifetime. Survivors often experience long-lasting mental and physical consequences, such as depression, anxiety and difficulty in school and work, harming not only the survivor, but also families, friends, schools and workplaces. When a problem affects this many people, it becomes a community-wide concern, thus a public health concern.
