Christine Ash
3/18/09
Sexual Assault
The poster is designed to convey the need to reduce sexual assault statists, in particular the statistic that one in every five girls under the age of 20 have been victims of sexual assault, rape, or an attempted rape. Despite these facts, some would say that these statistics are high and unrealistic. Additionally, some argue that rape is given too much attention and funding as is.
Jessica Yellin wrote an article for CNN about the policy rape victim policy in Wasilla, Alaska while Sarah Palin was governor. Yellin writes, “The bill, HB270, was before the legislature for six months. In testimony, one expert called the practice of billing the victim ‘Incomprehensible.’ Others compared it to ‘dusting’ for fingerprints’ after a burglary, only ‘the victim’s body is the crime scene.’ During a rape exam, victim removes her clothing and a medical professional gathers DNA evidence from her body. There is also a medical component to assess her injuries. That component has led some law enforcement agencies to balk at paying … ‘Asking them to pay for something law enforcement needs in order to investigate their case, it’s almost like blaming them for getting sexually assaulted…” (CNN). This quotation connects to the controversy Palin faced during the election when evidence of Wasilla, Alaska charging money to rape victims as recently as 2000, when she had been mayor for four years. This is one example of the government and its residents consciously choosing to hinder any progress, a woman who has been sexually assaulted should not sit in the examination room wondering how she will pay for the exam.
The issue is important to me because I have numerous friends who have been victims of rape. Also, as a woman still under the age of twenty, I am a potential target for sexual assault. I picked the particular statistic because I new the poster was being presented in a school environment. I know it might be a scary concept, but I believe all female students, and even the male students should be aware of sexual assault as it affects both. There is another statistic that I did not include on my poster, and that is that girls under the age of twenty are four times more likely to be the victims of sexual assault, therefore it is particularly important to educate students at a school. I personally feel connected because I have been in situations where I felt uncomfortable due to sexual harassment, and had I not been acting in a safe manor could have joined this statistic. As a nation, we need to stop worrying about scaring the youth and start worrying about actually protecting it. There are two other statistics that prove my attitude correct. First, people who suffer sexual assault are twenty-six times more likely to abuse drugs. As a nation we want to slow the progress of drug usage. Second, 44% of rape victims are under the age of 18 years and 4 months old. This puts them in freshman year of college or younger. I honestly believe a poster that demonstrates these statistics should be displayed to the age group that makes up nearly 50% of all sexual assault victims.
For the poster I choose I picture of young, maybe high school girls and made it black and white. Then I made the background black, and used red writing. The poster is simple looking, leaving room for the clear and important message. I felt that the colors added power to the subject without making it seem cheesy or cliché. The message is intended to connect with the students, faculty, and parents. It sends a clear message, we should all work together to prevent girls from joining a statistic that is far too large. The fact that there are so many women being violated and very little being done to stop it angers me. I choose the colors, black and red because I felt it made the topic seem more serious, and connected to the violence. I choose the photograph of the girls’ soccer team because the students reminded me of an average group of teenage girls, they even resembled St. Andrew’s students, and I wanted to make sure the message hit as powerfully as possible. The text I wanted to keep informative, but end with a hopeful message, I honestly believe it will require the youth to prevent the continuation of sexual assault because if there is little to no sexual assault in the next generation, the pattern should continue. I want to the viewer to look at the poster, realize the significance of the topic, and consciously choose to be an advocate against any form of sexual discomfort, be it as simple as an inappropriate joke, or as complex as a sexual assault.
I am proud of the poster I created, not because I believe it will be the next “Obama: Hope” image, but because I trust that the St. Andrew’s community will become more conscious about the sexual assault statistics, and campaign against any acts of sexual assault. I know that these statistics will not lessen without more awareness, and I want St. Andrew’s students to be the next activists against any sexual assault.
Works Consulted:
Just Yell Fire. 18 Mar. 2009 <www.justyellfire.com...>.
"Who are the Victims? Breakdown by Gender and Age." Rape, Abuse & Incest
National Network. 18 Mar. 2009 <www.rainn.org
statistics/sexual-assault-victims>.
Yellin, Jessica. "Palin's Town Charged Women for Rape Exams." CNN 22 Sept. 2008.
18 Mar. 2009 <www.cnn.com...
palin.rape.exams/>.

1. Student Student
Strong visual and textual elements are all accomplished throughly with care and detail. The soccer team- really powerful for me- because i can relate to that. The intended message is communicated inclear terms. The graphics relate to the topic, and is very easy to understand. The poster is very creative, and the statistics along with the picture of the team is powerful. No gramatical or punctual mistakes on the poster. great job . JA
04/13/09, 02:48 pm