How to Fight for the Legal Rights of Sex Crime Victims

According to the 2005 National Crime Victimization Survey, nearly 200,000 people were victims of sex crimes in America. Many grassroots and government-based activism movements fight for the rights of these victims. You can join them by following these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Join the Fight for Victims Rights

1. Participate in the annual National Crime Victims' Rights Week held every April in Washington, DC. You can find details of this year's activities on the Office for Victims of Crimes Web site (see Resources below).
2. Support nonprofit organizations such as RAINN that provide essential counseling and legal assistance to victims of sex crimes. You may make donations on their Web site (see Resources below).
3. Speak out for the rights of sex crime victims. If you have been a victim yourself, telling your story can raise awareness in your community and build support for stricter legislation.
4. Volunteer at a local rape crisis center or battered women's shelter. By donating your time, you can help offset the cost of running these valuable social service agencies.
5. Fight for the legal rights of victims at home and around the world by supporting organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Amnesty International.
6. Write to your political representatives and demand that victims of sex crimes gain given legal rights across state lines. Ask your friends to join you in letter-writing campaigns to increase the impact of your message.
7. Ask your local crisis center or advocacy center what you can do to get their message to the public at large. You may be able to assist with mailings, fundraising endeavors or organizing rallies and other events.

Tips & Warnings

• In many states, victims of sex crimes have the right to free emergency medical care following their attack. Activists are currently working to make this and the entire Victims Bill of Rights part of every state's laws.
• If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sex crime, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you have not received any obvious physical injury as a result of this crime, victims of sex crimes are at a higher risk for sexually transmitted diseases and other infectious diseases.