The incidence rate of sexual violence (SV) was a priority indicator in the Healthy Connecticut 2020 state health improvement plan. The measure that was reported on the report was the number of SV arrests made per 100,000 Connecticut residents, which is a proxy for the burden of SV in Connecticut. The official definition of SV changed in 2014, so a new point estimate was calculated in 2014 based on the new definition. In 2014, 22 SV-related arrests were made per 100,000 Connecticut residents. The rate remained relatively stable in 2015 and 2016 before increasing slightly in 2017 to 23 SV-related arrests per 100,000 Connecticut residents.

Beginning in 2014, rape is defined as, “Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” The new definition updated the 80-year-old historical definition of rape which was “carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will.” Effectively, the revised definition expands rape to include both male and female victims and offenders, and reflects the various forms of sexual penetration understood to be rape, especially nonconsenting acts of sodomy, and sexual assaults with objects. This new, more inclusive definition, of rape has led to an increased number of reports.

Data last updated February 2020. Next update March 2021.

Potential Partners:
Connecticut Department of Public Health; Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence; Connecticut Department of Children and Families; Connecticut Department of Social Services; Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services; Connecticut Judicial Branch; Connecticut Department of Correction; Connecticut Department of Labor; State Department of Education; The Governor’s Prevention Partnership; law enforcement; local public health agencies; schools and educational providers; media; organizations and coalitions focused on safe communities, violence, and injury prevention; professional associations for human services and community providers; community service providers for families, youth, and seniors; and others.

Preventing sexual violence requires the recognition that conditions within our society and communities perpetuate this type of violence. The beliefs we share, the gender roles we reinforce, and the myths we validate all contribute to a climate in which sexual violence is permitted and condoned. Challenging the systems, norms and beliefs that enable people to wield power and control over others, is among the most promising of approaches to prevent sexual violence before it occurs. Efforts of this nature, foster a culture in which everyone takes action to reduce the factors that contribute to sexual violence.( http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/prevention.html) The newest Technical Package to Prevent Sexual Violence from the CDC lists Bystander Interventions and Support for Victims as 2 evidence-based approaches, which is why we have focused on these two strategies here in CT. (https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/sv-prevention-technical-package.pdf)

For current year strategies and actions, click here (right click to open link).

The Department of Public Health (DPH), through a contractual relationship with the Alliance to End Sexual Violence (The Alliance), built the Where Do You Stand? Connecticut (WDYS? CT) campaign: the first state-wide sexual violence prevention campaign that uses a public health approach. The campaign was developed in conjunction with the nationally renowned anti-sexual violence organization, Men Can Stop Rape (MCSR), and is based on a literature review of current best practices in bystander intervention including the University of New Hampshire’s program, Bringing in the Bystander, which includes evidence-based evaluations that were funded by the Department of Justice. The WDYS? CT campaign focuses on engaging college-aged and adult men utilizing bystander intervention strategies, including a pledge, print materials, and an educational training curriculum. The campaign engages men to be active, pro-social bystanders and aims to equip them with tools to challenge the attitudes and behaviors that support the continuum of sexual violence perpetration.

We also continue to promote the 24-hour free and confidential hotline through public awareness activities including presentations, radio and media interviews, health fair tabling, agency meetings, conference calls, and social media marketing activities. All new rape crisis staff and volunteers are required to complete a 40 hour sexual assault crisis counselor/ victim advocate certification training and attend quarterly meetings in which they continue to learn and employ best practice strategies for serving victims. The use of evidence-based therapeutic and victim centered approaches that address the needs of survivors reduces the short- and long-term impacts of sexual violence, including risk of re-victimization or the risk of childhood victims later becoming sexual violence perpetrators or having other problem behaviors.