But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.
-2 Samuel 13:14

127,527 women, men, and children.

Are you one of those numbers?

According to the FBI, that’s the number of reported cases of rape in the U.S. in 2024. The reported cases. The majority go unreported.

That’s just for one year. Perhaps you are part of the statistics of a previous year. If so, you’re all-too aware that the numbers don’t begin to tell the tale.

It can be a family member, an acquaintance, or a complete stranger. It can happen in the home, on campus, or on a private island. We don’t know all the stats because reporting rape can bring stigma, fear, shame, and even guilt.

Some people suffer in silence. After all, how do you speak up about the unspeakable?

In the Bible, rape is strongly against the law, but the punishment sounds inhumane. Deuteronomic law states that if a man rapes an unmarried woman, he must pay her father a fine and then marry her! This is from a time when women were treated as property, which I’m sad to say can still happen today.

There are three recorded rapes in the scriptures. Tamar was raped by her obsessed half-brother. Dinah was raped by an obsessed local man. And an unnamed concubine was violently raped and killed by a mob in Gibeah.

In these stories, the focus is often on revenge or punishment, not on care for the survivor. That, too, is a problem many still face today. I have met my share of parishioners who were forever scarred by the abuse they endured…and the aftermath.

Today I watched footage of several women standing up together to share about their experiences of rape. I’m so glad they had each other for support. There were many others there offering support, too. That’s good to see in a world where victims can be blamed and tragedies can be dismissed as hoaxes.

Still, I’m left wondering how I can support the people in my life who have endured such pain. It isn’t something we talk about during coffee hour at church. It breaks my heart to know there are people I interact with on a regular basis who carry a secret burden that can never fully be eased.

If this is your story, please know that your pain matters, and your voice deserves to be believed.

In John, Jesus says something profound that I am about to quote wholly out of context. When meeting Thomas after the resurrection, he says:

“…blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29b

He’s talking about resurrection, and I’m talking about rape. Those subjects seem wildly divergent, but this idea of belief is at the core of both.

And so, at the very least, I will believe and acknowledge and remember that sexual violence happens to many in our country. Too many.

127,527 and counting.

Grace and Peace,

Mitch

P.S. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
🌐 rainn.org | ☎️ 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)