What Is Sexual Assault?
The definition of sexual assault as provided by Brown University is as follows: “Sexual assault is the legal term for rape, and it also encompasses other behaviours beyond forced sexual intercourse. Sexual assault can be any unwanted sexual contact, such as unwanted touching, fondling, or groping of sexual body parts. It can be committed by the use of threats or force or when someone takes advantage of circumstances that render a person incapable of giving consent, such as intoxication.” The statistics regarding sexual assault in the United States are astounding. According to RAINN (the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network – www.rainn.org), a woman is sexually assaulted every two and a half minutes! Further, they claim that one in every six American women is a victim of sexual assault. Finally, they state that 44% of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18.
Let’s briefly consider the different kinds of rape. Ingrained in the American imagination is the notion of a shadowy figure lurking in bushes, lying in wait for an unaccompanied woman. In reality, however, rape by a stranger is not the norm. According to RAINN, only 26% of rapes are committed by strangers. The vast majority of rapes are committed by acquaintances. Interestingly enough, 38% of rapes are committed by friends of the victim!
Reporting A Sexual Assault
First off, please go to the hospital or to a doctor and have a medical exam. The doctor’s visit is essential even if you don’t want to press charges. This examination ensures that you have no internal injuries from the sexual assault and determines whether or not you’ve contracted a disease. Also, having biological evidence is essential in pressing charges against a perpetrator. We should make clear the fact that you ARE NOT obligated to press charges. There are many reasons to press charges: to take a sexual predator off the streets; to prevent future rapes; to send a clear message that sexual assaults are not acceptable; to help bring closure to the experience. However, we do not pressure clients to press charges. The decision to prosecute is a personal one and one that deserves a great deal of thought on the part of the victim. RAINN recommends that you at least make a police report so that evidence collection can begin immediately and to increase the probability of a conviction. Again, at Safe Space we don’t pressure you to file a police report. Secondly, be aware that sexual assaults are never the victim’s fault. Finally, we suggest that you call an advocate. At Safe Space we have advocates on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These advocates can help you through the process and can even attend the medical examination if you wish.
RAINN and MCADSV (the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence) have very comprehensive information pages regarding sexual assaults and the process of making a police report, pressing charges, and collecting evidence. The pages can be found here http://www.rainn.org/statistics/reporting-rape.html and here http://www.mcadsv.com/index.php?name=SV-1. If RAINN or MCADSV doesn’t have an answer to one of your questions, please feel free to contact us at safespacebutte@gmail.com or at 1(406) 782-8511 with any questions or concerns. We treat all correspondence confidentially.
Facts on Rape:
RAPE IS A CRIME.
Rape is NEVER the victim’s fault. Rapists are 100% responsible for their actions.
· 57 % of rapes occur in the context of a date
· 38% of date rape victims are females between the ages of 14-17
· 30% of females are raped by a friend; 11% by a boyfriend
· 42.5% of assaults happen in the victim's own home
· 75% of males and 55% of females consumed alcohol or other drugs before the assault
· 78% of teens do not tell their parents they have been raped
· 71% of rape victims tell a friend
· 6% of teens report to the police that they have been raped
· In a Rhode Island study with high school students, over 50% of males and 42% of females agreed that there were times when it was "acceptable for a male to hold a female down and physically force her to engage in intercourse"
· 3% of rapes result in pregnancy
(I Never Called it Rape, 1988).
THE EFFECTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT DO NOT GO AWAY BY SIMPLY TRYING TO FORGET THEM!
- Half of all rapes committed on women over the age of thirty are part of the battering syndrome.
- In one study, 43% of women abused told NO ONE!
Safe Space Sexual Assault Services:
Sexual assault is any sexual contact without consent; it often times goes unreported. It is always a painful intrusion which disrupts the lives of its victims. It is often called “the best kept secret”, because victims often feel ashamed, embarrassed, dirty, and most of all, he/she feels as though he/she did something to cause the assault.
Safe Space provides 24-hour trained rape advocates to victims of sexual assault. The advocates are available for:
§ Hospital exams
§ Police interviews
§ Assistance in completing an order of protection
§ One-on-one peer counseling
§ Support services and referrals
In addition, Safe Space can pay for six sessions of counselling with a professional counsellor for survivors of sexual assault. This can be a valuable tool for recovery. Please call our crisis line for further details. 406-782-8511.
Services are offered whether you are male or female, young or old, regardless of race, or religious domination.
Get Help!
Crisis & Info. Line: (406) 782-8511
Toll free: 1-800-479-8511
E-mail: safespacebutte@gmail.com