statistics which underscored the severity of the matter. Citing the Crime Survey for England and Wales, she noted that 144,000 women were victims of rape or attempted rape over the past year, which equates to roughly 16 of the most serious sexual offenses committed every hour.
The Duchess also went on to acknowledged “misplaced feelings of stigma” often experienced by victims of sexual violence.
“The victim feels invaded and dirty; weakened by having been put in a position of helplessness by someone stronger – possibly by someone whom she previously trusted. Often, this sense of shame causes the victim to blame herself, mistakenly take responsibility for the crime, and want to hide away from others. And yet she has done nothing wrong,” she noted.
“Today, let us resolve to support survivors to be ‘shameless’ and not to take on misplaced feelings of stigma. Through speaking up about our experiences, we break the wall of silence that allows perpetrators to go unpunished.”
