FAMILY RESCUE SERVICES

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Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact by a part of a person’s body or by any object relating to another person’s genital, oral, or buttocks area when there is force or coercion, or the inability to communicate unwillingness to engage in the act.

Assault may include pushes, slaps, kicking, and threats with a weapon, threats of physical violence, or sexual assault.

Facts About Sexual Assault:

	Approximately 683,000 women over age 18 were raped in the United States in 1990, equaling 1,871 women per day.
	Approximately 84 percent of sexual assault victims know their rapist in some way.
	1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced a rape or attempted rape as a child and/or adult.
	Only 16 percent of rapes are reported to police.
	Sexual assault can happen to any one, at any time, in any place. People of all ages, all economic classes, all races, all levels of education, and who live in all types of neighborhoods are victimized.
	Nearly one-third of rape victims will develop stress disorders as a direct result of the assault. This in turn increases their risk for serious alcohol and drug abuse problems.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions About
Sexual Assault and Date Rape

1. Am I mandated to report sexual assault?

No. Friends and family that mean well may tell you it is your responsibility to report so that it doesn't happen to someone else. However, it is not up to you to stop someone else's violence, and you should not feel guilty about it. Only you know what is best for you.

2. What is acquaintance rape?

When someone is forced, threatened, or intimidated into having sex with someone they know. It could be a classmate, co-worker, neighbor, friend, or ex-boyfriend.

3. If I was under the influence of alcohol and I did not fully consent to intercourse, was I still raped?

Yes. If you cannot give full consent due to being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may have been raped.

4. If I think that I was sexually assaulted, who could I talk to?

In order to help yourself heal emotionally, the sooner you talk to someone the better. You can talk to a non-judgmental friend or family member, the police, or a trained advocate from a sexual assault agency such as Family Rescue Services. Other options are mental health counselors or your minister.

5. Does dating violence mainly happen to women?

Women are far more likely than men to be victims of dating violence, but men do sometimes experience abuse in a relationship.

6. Can dating violence take on many forms?

Abusive behavior can include harmful words or actions. In short, any act by one partner designed to hurt or control another, is abuse.

7. Can you be accused of raping someone if you have had sex with them before?

Yes. Anytime a person forces another person to have sex against their will, it’s rape, regardless of how many times you may have been intimate with them before.

8. What do I do after I am sexually assaulted or raped?

	You should think of yourself first - Do you need medical attention? If so, go to a hospital emergency room.
	Call someone to be with you - again it could be a friend, family or trained advocate from Family Rescue Services.
	Learn about your options and what to expect with the healing process. The sooner you get help dealing with the assault, the faster you will emotionally heal.
	If you decide to report it to the police, do not take a shower or change clothes, as they will want to collect evidence of the assault.

9. Why should I be concerned about date rape?

Because it’s a crime, and it’s common.

10. Why does date rape happen?

Rape happens when one person has no regards for the other person and uses power and control to get what they want. The victim did nothing to cause the rape. It is not your fault if someone raped you after you said no.

11. What are the affects of date rape?

Some of the effects are:

	Loss of trust in people (if someone you trusted raped you, who can you trust?)
	Feelings of guilt (what did I do to cause this)
	Fear that it will happen again
	Flashbacks, depression or anxiety.

That is why it is so important to seek help immediately with a trained sexual assault advocate so you hear the right messages: "You did nothing wrong," "whatever you did to get through the moment was the right thing to do," "it is not your fault," "you did not deserve this." By having assistance to overcome the trauma connected with the rape, you should be able to overcome the long term effects faster. People who never deal with the rape and just "want to forget it" usually eventually have to deal with it; it may be in 6 months or 20 years - something will trigger a memory and cause havoc in your life at that time.

12. Can date rape be avoided?

A person can never completely avoid date rape as acquaintance rape is with someone you know and usually trust. Since most people, especially women, go about their daily business with contact of many people, you may always be at risk. Acquaintance rape makes up approximately 84 percent of all rapes.

There are things you can do to lessen the chances of being assaulted:

	If you feel uneasy with someone never be alone with that person.
	Avoid alcohol and other drugs and don't go home with someone you barely know if you are under the influence, this means not accepting rides; arrange your own transportation.
	Yell NO, and put up a fight if attacked.
	In a bar or at a party, watch your drink.

13. What if someone wants to have sex and I don’t?

Be direct, say NO, try to put distance or obstacles between you and the other person, and leave if possible.

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