The anti-sexual assault movement in the United States has a deep and complex history, shaped by feminist activism, legal reforms, and social awareness efforts. The movement has evolved over the decades, addressing the widespread issue of sexual violence, focusing on advocacy for survivors, prevention strategies, and legal reforms. Below is an overview of the history of the movement, including key milestones and figures.
01
Early 20th Century Activism (1900–1960s)
In the early 20th century, sexual assault was largely a hidden issue in the U.S., overshadowed by legal and social norms that blamed survivors, especially women, for the violence they experienced. Women’s rights activists began to address these issues, linking sexual violence to broader struggles for women’s suffrage and gender equality.
Black women were particularly vocal against sexual violence during this period, pointing out the racist undertones of many cases. For example, anti-lynching activists like Ida B. Wells spoke out against how false allegations of rape were often used to justify the lynching of Black men. This intersectionality resulted in the early anti-sexual assault movement being intertwined with both civil rights and women’s rights struggles.
02
Second-Wave Feminism and the 1970s
The second wave of feminism in the 1960s and 1970s was a turning point for the anti-sexual assault movement. Feminists began to frame sexual violence as a political issue and a reflection of patriarchal control over women’s bodies. They argued that rape and other forms of sexual violence were not isolated incidents, but rather part of a broader system of gender-based oppression.
Key Milestones:
The first Rape Crisis Center in the U.S. was founded in Oakland, California, as the Bay Area Women Against Rape (BAWAR). The center provided crucial support services for survivors, including counseling and legal advocacy.
The establishment of Take Back the Night marches, which began in Philadelphia. These marches allowed survivors to speak publicly about their experiences and reclaim public spaces that felt unsafe.
Susan Brownmiller published Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape, which became a formative text in the movement. Brownmiller argued that rape is not about sexual desire, but about power and control, and that it is used as a tool by men in the domination of women.
The creation of the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCASA) helped unify advocacy efforts across the country. NCASA pushed for legislative reforms and increased support for survivors.
Feminists also lobbied for changes in rape laws, which were often archaic and biased against survivors. One of the key achievements during this time was the push to remove the requirement that a survivor had to prove physical resistance to prove rape.
03
The 1980s–1990s: Legislative Changes and Awareness Campaigns
By the 1980s, the anti-rape movement had expanded across the country, and many states began to establish their own sexual assault coalitions. These coalitions provided a collective voice for local rape crisis centers and worked to influence state-level policies regarding sexual violence. As a result, there were also significant legislative reforms to address sexual violence, along with public awareness campaigns aimed at changing social attitudes toward survivors.
Key Developments:
The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) was passed, which provided funding for victim assistance programs, including those that help survivors of sexual violence.
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is an advocacy organization that also works on issues related to sexual violence, focusing on legislation and survivor protection. Other coalitions like the National Organization for Women (NOW) contributed to these early national efforts by mobilizing public campaigns against sexual violence.
The passage of the Campus Security Act required colleges and universities to report crime statistics, including sexual assault, and to ensure campus safety measures.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), introduced by Senator Joe Biden (D – Delaware), was a landmark piece of legislation that provided federal funding for investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, including sexual assault. It also created legal protections for survivors.
In the 1990s, campaigns like “No Means No” aimed to challenge societal norms around consent and victim-blaming, further shifting public perceptions of sexual assault.
04
The 2000s: New Approaches to Advocacy and the Internet
By the 1980s, the anti-rape movement had expanded across the country, and many states began to establish their own sexual assault coalitions. These coalitions provided a collective voice for local rape crisis centers and worked to influence state-level policies regarding sexual violence. As a result, there were also significant legislative reforms to address sexual violence, along with public awareness campaigns aimed at changing social attitudes toward survivors.
Key Developments:
The reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) expanded protections to underserved communities, including Native American women and women of color, and strengthened legal tools to combat sexual violence.
The U.S. Department of Education issued guidance through Title IX requiring colleges to take sexual violence more seriously, ensuring that survivors had rights to equal access to education free from harassment and violence.
05
The Me Too Movement (2017–Present)
The Me Too movement represents the most high-profile phase of the anti-sexual assault movement. Originally coined by activist Tarana Burke in 2006 to support survivors, particularly women of color, the hashtag #MeToo went viral in 2017 after sexual assault allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein became public. High-profile individuals, particularly in entertainment and politics, were accused of sexual harassment and assault, leading to broader societal reckoning with the issue of sexual violence.
Key Developments:
#MeToo goes viral, sparking a global movement of survivors coming forward to share their stories of sexual harassment and assault.
The Time’s Up movement was created by women in the entertainment industry to combat workplace sexual harassment and assault. It offered legal support to survivors and advocated for systemic change in industries prone to harassment.
The Me Too movement has been instrumental in raising public awareness about sexual violence, challenging powerful figures, and fostering solidarity among survivors. It also led to the downfall of many prominent figures across industries, sparking broader discussions about the pervasiveness of sexual violence in society.
The anti-sexual assault movement in the U.S. has made substantial progress, from grassroots organizing to major legislative reforms. However, significant challenges remain, particularly for marginalized communities, including women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and survivors with disabilities. The movement continues to push for systemic change and justice, both in the legal arena and in public attitudes toward survivors.
