Nearly half of all women and about one in four men in the United States have experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime, yet two-thirds of assaults are never reported to law enforcement. Reflecting this stark reality, the 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness Month theme, “Until Everyone is Safe,” was developed with community and partner input to encompass survivors of stalking, domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking.
Victoria Nevel-Babla, the Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence coordinator with Fairfax County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS), was on a recent County Conversation podcast to talk about why so few people speak up, how the community can do better and what resources are available right now.
Why So Many Stay Silent
Sexual assault is underreported for numerous reasons. One reason, she said, is that there is a long history of sexual violence normalized in movies and books, as well as in family dynamics. Many people grow up without seeing someone ask for consent or check in with a partner. That makes it harder for victims to recognize that what happened to them wasn’t okay.
Another reason is self blame. Victims may not know how to set boundaries or may believe the assault was somehow their fault. And then there’s the justice system itself.
Data from RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) shows that most reports to law enforcement won’t result in a single day in prison for the person who caused the harm. Many survivors who tell friends and family aren’t believed, so taking the extra step of talking to police feels like a risk that may not pay off.
“I don’t blame anyone for not reporting,” Nevel-Babla said.
Teaching Consent Can Start Early
In 80% to 90% of cases of sexual violence, the person responsible is someone the victim already knows. It could be a family member, a dating partner or an acquaintance. Stranger attacks are much rarer, but they get more media coverage, which skews our understanding.
Nevel-Babla said prevention starts with teaching kids about consent. The conversation can begin by letting a child decide whether they want to hug a relative during the holidays or letting them make choices about their own body.
Beyond education, she stressed the need to change the culture around how we respond to sexual violence. That means not blaming victims for what they were wearing, not joking about assault (especially when it involves male victims) and believing people when they come forward.
“The concepts of things like consent can start really young, even before maybe a child is ready to learn about what sexual activity actually is,” she said. “It’s about talking to your kids and it’s also about when you see something like that, say something."
Responding to Assault Disclosure
If someone you care about discloses that they’ve been assaulted, Nevel-Babla recommends having a few phrases ready to go. The natural reaction is often shock, but a prepared response can make a big difference. She suggests saying things like, “It’s not your fault," or “What would you like to do? Do you want to talk about it, report it or sit here for a minute?”
“In reality, what most people want is just to be heard,” Nevel-Babla said.
Denim Day: Wednesday, April 29
Every year, Denim Day falls on the last Wednesday in April. The tradition dates to 1992, when an Italian court overturned a rape conviction because the victim’s jeans were “too tight,” suggesting she must have helped her attacker remove them. In protest, members of the Italian Parliament wore denim the next day. The movement spread worldwide and is now recognized internationally.
Denim Day is used to make a social statement with fashion by wearing denim as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.
This year, DSVS is working on an art project using denim and recycled materials. Partners include George Mason University, Fort Belvoir, local shelters, students and libraries.
Resources
Fairfax County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Services offers several free resources:
- 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 703-360-7273 (free and confidential). For life-threatening emergencies, always call or text 911.
- Free counseling services for survivors Programs for people who have used harm in their relationships, aimed at prevention
- Advocacy services include help with protective orders, hospital accompaniment, and referrals to economic resources
- Community Engagement Toolkit with social media graphics, reading lists for adults, teens and kids, plus a film and TV show list
- The hotline is also available for family members and loved ones of survivors who may be experiencing their own secondary trauma.
To learn more, visit the Fairfax County Sexual Assault Awareness Month page.
The County Conversation Podcast
The “County Conversation” is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from the Fairfax County Government discussing programs, services and items of interest to residents of Fairfax County. Listen to past episodes of “County Conversation.” Listen to other Fairfax County podcasts or additional audio content at Fairfax County Government Radio.
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