Indiana has the second highest rate of forced sexual intercourse among high school girls in the nation, according to data released Monday.
The 2016 Kids Count data released by the Indiana Youth Institute reports that, in the last year alone, 14.5 percent of high school females were physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to.
“It’s a problem,” said Karen Jones, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner with Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville and nurse manager with the Women’s Resource Center in Crawfordsville.
The same report pointed to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which found one in every six girls will be sexually assaulted before they’re 18 years old.
That’s the very reason why sexual assault is part of students’ health curriculum as early as middle school, said Chris Amidon, the school nurse at Crawfordsville High School. But that alone isn’t sufficient.
“It’s so hard to talk about these topics at all,” Amidon said. “But they really need to hear it at home too.”
One of the things both Jones and Amidon encourage to talk about is the importance of reporting a sexual assault or a rape as soon as possible.
Amidon said there are medical procedures that would help prevent possible pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections.
Jones added that early reporting of an assault also makes it easier to retrieve DNA evidence before it degrades. She also said there are certain injuries that are often consistent with sexual assault, and if she sees them before they fade, she can testify to what she saw.
But reporting a rape or sexual assault can be difficult for victims of any age, and it can be even harder for high schoolers.
Jones said there is a stigma that high schoolers can be very mean. Victims often fear “slut-shaming” in their own hallways.
Neither rape nor any type of sexual assault is a victim’s fault. These violent acts should be taken seriously by everyone, but unfortunately, they can become scare tactics and punchlines.
On Monday, a Purdue University staff member resigned after posting threats of rape against a student organization online.
Jamie Newman was an accompanist in the Purdue Division of Dance. An investigation began Thursday. Purdue University called upon Newman to apologize (he did not), but because law enforcement could not find evidence to support immediate danger, personnel action could not be filed.
The following is a statement from Steve Schultz, Purdue legal counsel, on the recent controversy related to an online post by a part-time Purdue staff member:
“As we’ve already indicated, a threat of rape is outside the bounds of any definition of protected speech. And if it appeared that Mr. Newman had any such intention, he would have been terminated immediately. But the police investigation tells us that there was, and is, no real threat to the campus community. That finding does not foreclose the possibility of other employment-related actions based on Purdue’s internal complaint processes.
“The disruption we’ve endured as a community is entirely due to Mr. Newman’s online posts. Anything other than a full apology and explanation from him about the intent of his statement will be insufficient to cure the harm he’s done.
“It’s fortunate for Mr. Newman that he works at a public university both obligated under the First Amendment and committed by principle to protect free speech — even speech as abhorrent as his. Had he uttered such an outrageous and vulgar statement while working for a private college or other private employer, he would almost certainly have been fired on the spot. Mr. Newman’s obnoxious rhetoric is an embarrassment for Purdue, but our special obligations as a public institution impose a much higher threshold before condemnation can be extended to punishment.”
Jones said rape should never be a joke; it changes the life of almost every victim.
“These girls can undergo a lot of fear and shame,” she said. “It’s sad our society makes light of a serious subject.”
If you or someone you know have experienced any type of sexual assault, call the nearest law enforcement agency. If you are a student, talk to someone you feel comfortable with, your school nurse or counselor. For anonymous assistance, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
