sexual assault

One out of three girls will be a victim of sexual assault before they are 18 years old.  And one  out of four adult women will be a victim of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault in her lifetime.

Prevention At Home

• If you are alone, use only your last name and initials on mailboxes and in telephone directories. 
• Install effective locks on all doors and windows.
• Don't prop open self-locking doors.
• Install safety approved gates or bars on windows that can be reached from fire escapes or from the ground floor.
• Don't sleep with your windows open. 
• If strangers telephone or come to you door, don't admit that you're alone.
• Watch your keys. Don't lend them. Don't leave them. Don't lose them. And don't put your name and address on the key ring.
• Install a peephole viewer in your door (and use it.)
• Never open your door without knowing who is on the other side.  If you don't recognize or expect the visitor (including service people), don't open it, even with the chain on.  Most chain locks can easily be kicked in. 
• Require salespeople or repair people to show identification.
• If a stranger asks to use your phone, don't let them in. Offer to make the call instead. 
• Do not buzz someone into the building or hold the lobby door open unless you know the person. 
• If you live in an apartment, avoid being in the laundry room or garage 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! Go to the nearest phone and call your local law enforcement agency.
• Create a safety plan for the possibility of being attacked and outline what possible actions you would take if confronted. 
• Have 911 programmed into your telephone.
  

Prevention In Your Car

• Always lock your car doors after entering or leaving your car.
• Park in well-lit areas. 
• Keep your car in good working order and the gas tank at least half full. 
• If your car breaks down, turn on your flasher, open the hood, and attach a white cloth to the antenna and wait inside your car with the doors locked. If someone stops to help, stay in your car and ask them to call the local law enforcement agency, a garage or a tow service for you. 
• Have your car keys in your hand as you approach your car and look under your car and in the back seat area before entering. 
• Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors and windows locked.

Prevention While Walking

• Whenever possible, travel with a friend. 
• Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible. 
• Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you - especially if you are alone or it is dark.
• Know the location, street name, surrounding buildings, in case it becomes necessary for you to call 911.
• Walk with confidence. The more confident you look, the stronger you appear. Attackers look for someone who appears vulnerable. 
• Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where rapists can hide. 
• If you are in danger, scream and run or yell "fire."
• Listen to your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable or in danger in any given situation, leave immediately.
• If you think 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.
• Become aware of locations and situation where rape might occur and avoid them, if possible. 
• Consider your alternatives if confronted by an attacker. Practice possible responses so that you can recall them even under the stress of an encounter.

What to do if you've Been Sexually Assaulted

• Get away from the attacker and find a safe environment fast as you can. 
• Preserve evidence of the assault. That means don't wash, comb, or clean any part of your body. Don't change clothes if at all possible, so the hospital staff can collect evidence. Do not touch or change anything at the scene of the assault. 
• Go to your nearest emergency room as soon as possible. You will need to be examined and treated for any injuries.  You will also need to be screened for possible sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or pregnancy. The doctor will collect evidence using a rape kit for fibers, hairs, saliva, semen, or clothing that the attacker may have left behind.
• You or the hospital staff can call the police from the emergency room to file a report.
• Call a friend or family member. You also can call a local crisis center or a hotline to talk with a counselor. Many local YWCAs offer hotlines. One national hotline is the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). 
• Feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and shock are normal. It is important to get counseling from a trusted professional. Ask your local YWCA or the hospital staff about possible support groups you can attend right away.
• Remember, it's not your fault.
  

Helping someone else who has been sexually assaulted
You can help someone who has been assaulted by listening and offering comfort. Go with her to the police, the hospital, or to counseling. You can also help her make changes to her environment that make her feel safer. Rape victims often feel unsure of themselves and their ability to make decisions. Encourage her if she finds it difficult to make decisions by helping her to understand her choices, but let the decisions be her own.
 
Reinforce the message that she is not at fault and that it is natural to feel angry and ashamed. Advocate for her when she needs your help facing the medical and legal systems. Let her know that you believe in her, and that you know that she has the strength and courage to heal and survive.

Contact your local YWCA for more information.

Rape Myths

Myths are attitudes and beliefs that are prejudicial, stereotyped, and false, But are widely accepted. Many rape myths exist, but they tend to fall into three catagories:

•  Blaming the victim
• Excusing the perpetrator
• Justifying the rape

Myth #1: The motivating force behind sexual assault is sexual desire.
Rape has nothing to do with sexual attraction. It is about power and control, humiliation, and degradation. Sexual violence is the avenue used to achieve these goals. One of the oldest victims at the YWCA was a 90-year-old woman and the youngest victim was a 6-month-old baby. The common characteristic between these two victims is vulnerability. Rapists target people they view as vulnerable. Both males and females can be rape victims.

Myth #2: Sexual assaults are perpetrated mostly by strangers outside at night (i.e. parking lot, back alley, behind bushes, or deserted area).
This is the stereotype of rape and does not describe the typical rape. In 86% of all rapes, the victim knows the offender. A perpetrator can be a boyfriend (57% of all rapes occur in the context of a date), a friend, relative, neighbor, or other acquaintance. Almost half of all rapes (42%) occur in the victim's own home.

Myth #3: Physical violence is always involved with a sexual assault. The victim will have bruises on their body if they were really assaulted.
Most rapes do not involve a high level of physical violence. Psychological strategies (i.e. intimidation, emotional blackmail, pressuring, threats, bribery, lying, and/or manipulation) are the most common techniques used by perpetrators. Most perpetrators will not utilize physical force until psychological strategies have failed. Most victims do not walk away with bruises, cuts, or torn clothing. Victims often do not look "battered."

Myth #4: During a sexual encounter, a person can become carried away and unable to control his or her actions. Rapists cannot stop themselves once they become aroused.
Yes, men are capable of stopping. They CAN STOP if they care about or respect the other person.

Myth #5: You can tell simply from another person's actions or way of dressing that she or he wants to have sex with you.
You can never assume what someone wants according to his/her appearance. It is an insult to assume that men have no self-control. An attractive person does not compel someone to "attack" him/her. They may be attracted to someone but that does not mean they have to act on it.

Myth #6: Some people ask to be raped or sexually assaulted and are at fault for whatever happens.
People may make poor judgments but no one ever DESERVES to be a victim of sexual assault. Rape has nothing to do with circumstances or the victim's reputation and/or appearance.

Myth #7: Women make up accusations of rape against men to get revenge.
False reporting is less than 2% (no different from other crimes). Rape is tremendously underreported.

Myth #8: Rapists are severely disturbed men.
Perpetrators may test higher on aggression and their tendency to use violence. Generally, rapists test "normal" on psychological testing.