Sexual assault is a touch or act that is sexual in content and is used for the gratification of the perpetuator by force, threat of force, trickery, coercion, bribery, or between two people where an imbalance exists in age, size, power, development or knowledge.
Sexual assault is a deliberate, hostile, and sometimes violent act of aggression that uses sex as a weapon. It is a crime of power, intended to degrade, intimidate, and to overpower.
Victims of sexual assault are often uncertain about what they should do. They may be afraid or embarrassed to talk to anyone about their circumstances. In more than half of reported cases, the victim and rapist are friends, acquaintances, or relatives. This can make discussion of the assault even more difficult for the victim.
Most rapists are repeat offenders. A victim can help prevent further assaults by reporting the incident to the police. As she decides whether or not she wants to report the assault, the Women's ResourceCenter can provide a trained advocate who can discuss options and give information to the victim. If the crime is reported, then the woman will be eligible for related medical care and counseling through Crime Victim's Assistance.
SEXUAL ASSAULT STATISTICS
Every 2 minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted.
In 2003-2004, there were an average annual 204,370 victims of rape, attempted rapes, or sexual assault in Oregon.
1 in 6 adult women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape.1 in 10 men have been a victim of sexual assault.Among those under 18, 1 in every 4 girls and 1 in every 6 boys will be a victim of sexual assault.
About 44% of rape victims are under age 18, and 80% are under age 30.
More than 5 out of 10 of all rape cases (54 percent) occurred before victims reached the age of 18. Among girls who were under age 13 at the time of their first sexual intercourse, 71 percent reportedthat it was non-voluntary or unwanted.
Among adults, 73% of sexual assaults were perpetrated by a non-stranger-38% of perpetrators were a friend or acquaintance of the victim, 28% were an intimate, and 7% were another relative.
Among college women, 9 in 10 victims of rape and sexual assault knew their offender.Almost 12.8% of completed rapes, 35% of attempted rapes, and 22.9% of threatened rapes happened during a date.
People who experience developmental disabilities are more likely to be sexually assaulted (1.5-5 time more) than the general population.It is estimated that as many as 83% of women and 32% of men with developmental disabilities have been victims of sexual assault.
More than 72% of all sexual assaults go unreported to police.
SEXUAL ASSAULT MYTHS AND FACTS
Myth: Victims who wear seductive clothing are asking to be sexually assaulted. Fact: No person wants to be forced into engaging in sexual activities-no matter how s/he is dressed.
Myth: Victims secretly want to be sexually assaulted.Victims who say "no" really mean "yes". Fact: Rape is a crime. No person wants the pain, injury and/or violence involved in sexual assault. The word "no" means "no" and should not be interpreted any other way.
Myth: Rapists are impulsive and cannot control their desires. Fact: Most sexual assaults are planned. (This myth robs abusers of taking responsibility for their own actions).
Myth: Most victims are sexually assaulted by strangers. Fact: A majority of sexual assaults are committed by people the victims know.
Myth: I am dating or married to this person, so it is not rape/sexual assault. Fact: Any forced or unwanted sexual act is a crime, regardless of the relationship of the perpetrator.
EFFECTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
Sexual assault can have many devastating effects on those who have experienced it. Some of them are listed below.
Anger
Depression
Eating disorders
Fear
Feeling powerless
Guilt
Low self-esteem
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Rape Trauma Syndrome
Relationship difficulties
Self-destructive behaviors
Shame
Suicidal ideation
Trust issues
IF YOU ARE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED
If you are going to report the assault, call the police (911) as soon as possible.
Call the Women's ResourceCenter Crisis Line at 503-397-6110. There is a trained sexual assault advocate and/or volunteers available to accompany you to the hospital, police station, and through the legal proceedings, if you want one. We also offer assistance to family and friends of victims.
To preserve evidence, do not bathe, shower, douche, or change clothes. If you do change your clothing, place each article into its own brown paper bag and then take them to the hospital with you.
Seek medical attention promptly to determine possible injury, pregnancy, or sexually transmitted disease. Ask to have a rape exam performed.
Express your feelings-talk to someone with whom you are comfortable.
HOW TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
Here are some suggestions to help support someone you care about that has been sexually assaulted.
Talk to survivors in a private place and allow them to tell you what happened in their own words.
Understand that survivors may feel uncomfortable talking about the assault.
Listen and try to make survivors feel comfortable expressing their feelings.
Validate their feelings.
Believe what survivors tell you, and let them know that they are believed.
Let survivors know that nobody deserves to be sexually assaulted and that it is not their fault.
Do not press survivors for details; ask only what you need to know to assess for health and safety.
If appropriate, discuss the importance and options of seeking medical care.
Offer options and resources for support, but allow survivors to make their own decisions.
It is very damaging to ask survivors why they did or didn’t do something connected to the assault.Keep in mind that it is the assailant who is the one responsible.
WAYS TO KEEP YOURSELF SAFE
Here are some tips to keep yourself safe while outside, at home, and/or in the car.
Outside
Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you-especially if you are alone or it is dark.
Whenever possible, travel with a friend.
Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
Walk on the side of the street facing traffic.
If you think that you are being followed, walk quickly to areas where there are lights and people.
If a car appears to be following you, turn and walk on the other side of the street.
At Home
Many rapes occur in or near the victim’s home.
Install effective locks on all doors and windows-and use them.
Install a peephole viewer in your door.NEVER open your door without knowing who is on the other side.
If you live in an apartment, avoid being in the laundry room or garbage by yourself, especially at night.
If you come home and find a door or window open or signs of forced entry, don’t go in.
Car Safety
Always lock car doors after entering or leaving your car.
Park in well lit areas.
Have your car keys in your hand so that you don’t have to linger before entering your car.
If you think that you are being followed while driving, drive to a public place or a police station.
If you have car trouble, open the hood and attach a white cloth to the car antenna.If someone stops to help, stay in your locked car and ask them to call the police or a garage, if you have not already done so.
HELPING PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STAY SAFE FROM SEXUAL ASSAULT
Did you know that people with developmental disabilities experience one of the highest rates of sexual violence?Given that Columbia County has a high concentration of individuals with developmental disabilities, there are a number of things that can be done to teach them what healthy relationships look like and how to develop appropriate boundaries with others, which will enable them to develop skills that will help to protect them against sexual assault.
Some things you can do to help prevent sexual violence against individuals with developmental disabilities include:
1.Provide opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to identify and express their feelings.
Discuss feelings and provide examples of situations when individuals with developmental disabilities may have these feelings.This is important because when people with developmental disabilities are able to identify their feelings, they know when they are uncomfortable and when certain situations and behaviors are wrong.In addition, when a person with a developmental disability is encouraged to express his or her feelings, he or she will be better equipped to let other people know when their behavior is inappropriate.Finally, listen to what the person tells you, especially if she or he appears uncomfortable.
2. Allow individuals with developmental disabilities make choices and say “NO”.
Let people with developmental disabilities know that they have rights.This includes the right to be respected, the right to be in safe and healthy relationships, and the right to make choices in their relationships with others.Often people with developmental disabilities have few choices in their lives.This may keep them from knowing that they have the choice to say “NO” when someone tries to touch them inappropriately or coerce the into sexual acts.The more these individuals are supported to be assertive and make decisions in other aspects of their lives, the more able they will be able to speak up when they are uncomfortable, unsure, or scared.
3. Encourage people with developmental disabilities to set both physical and emotional boundaries.
Start by explaining the concepts of personal space and appropriate personal and community relationships.Role playing appropriate boundary setting can be helpful.You can also help assist them in defining boundaries with other people in their lives.
4. Respect the personal space of people with developmental disabilities.
There are many ways that you can respect the space of individuals with developmental disabilities.One way is to know and ask for permission before entering their bedrooms.It is also important to not pressure or force the person to display physical affection, as well as, refraining from touching them without asking or receiving permission.In addition, it is important to model appropriate boundaries by giving people feedback if they are too close to you or others and practicing socially acceptable space between people with developmental disabilities and yourself.
5. Teach the person accurate information about anatomy and sexuality.
Often individuals with developmental disabilities do not receive adequate sex education.It is important to recognize that people with developmental disabilities have a right to relationships and be talked to about healthy sexuality.This makes it easier to talk about ploys that sexual perpetrators might use.In addition, teaching individuals with developmental disabilities about their anatomy can increase their own understanding of when touch may be inappropriate.
MEMOIRS, PERSONAL NARRATIVES, AND FICTIONAL BOOKS ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT
Below are a list of memoirs, personal narratives, and fictional books about sexual assault that may be helpful.
After Silence: Rape and My Journey Back by Nancy Venable Raine
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Circling the Drain by Amanda Davis
Flying in Place by Susan Palwick
Forgiving Sam by Bonnie Powell Clark
Gemma by Meg Tilly
I Am the Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibility by Trisha Meili
I Choose to Live by Sabine Dardenne
I Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This by Jaqueline Woodson
Please contact Shannon at (503)-397-7110 or shannond@ccwrc.com if you would like additional information, have any questions, or would like a presentation for your organization.
