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What is sexual assault?
Who are the victims of sexual assault?
How can I help prevent being sexually assaulted?
How do I handle a sexual assaulter?
What do I do if I am sexually assaulted?
Where else can I go for help?
How do I help someone who has been sexually assaulted?
Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity that you do not want or agree to. It ranges from inappropriate touching to penetration or intercourse. It also can be verbal, visual, audio, or any other form which forces a person to participate in unwanted sexual contact or attention. Sexual assault includes rape and attempted rape, child molestation, voyeurism, exhibitionism, incest, and sexual harassment. It can happen in different situations, such as: date rape, domestic or intimate partner violence; or by a stranger. All forms of sexual assault are crimes.
Sexual assault is an act of power and control and is not related to sexual urge. The offender, who often is an intimate partner, acquaintance, or family member, can plan the assault ahead of time. Nearly 6 out or 10 rape or sexual assault incidents are reported by victims to have occurred in their own home or at the home of a friend, relative, or neighbor (U.S. Department of Justice). No matter who attacks you, sexual assault is a crime.
Sometimes, the offender is able to take advantage of the victim because the victim is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Rohypnol and GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate) are commonly referred to as the "date rape" drugs since they have been given to victims without their knowledge, they make the victim unable to resist assault, and also cause an amnesia-like affect so the victim is uncertain about what happened. Even if you were drinking alcohol or taking drugs at the time of the attack, sexual assault is a crime.
Unfortunately, rape or sexual assault is the violent crime least often reported to law enforcement. Only 16% of rapes are ever reported to the police. In a survey of victims who did not report rape or attempted rape to the police, victims gave the following reasons for not making a report: 43% thought nothing could be done; 27% thought it was a private matter; 12% were afraid of police response; and 12% thought it was not important enough. Remember, sexual assault is against the law. You have the right to report this crime to the police, and to be treated fairly.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, an estimated 91% of the victims of rape and sexual assault are female and 9% are male. (Nearly 99% of the reported offenders are male.) The National Victim Center reports that 683,000 women are raped per year, and 13.3% of college women say they had been forced to have sex in a dating situation. The National Violence Against Women Survey found of the women who reported being raped, 54% were under the age of 18 at the time of the first rape and 83% were under the age of 25. However, sexual assault affects women, children, and men of all ages, racial, cultural and economic backgrounds.
In general, be alert to your surroundings. Walk with confidence and trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave. When out with friends at social events, never leave with someone you’ve just met. Don’t take drugs or alcohol, which might cloud your judgement. (Be wary of isolated spots, like underground garages, offices after business hours, and apartment laundry rooms. Avoid walking alone, especially at night. Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker. If possible, stay in areas where there are other people, and park your car in well-lighted areas. Always lock your car and have your key ready to use before you reach the car. If you think you are being followed, run towards a lighted house, restaurants, stores or other public places. If possible, always carry a cellular phone.
If your car breaks down, turn on your flashers, lock the doors, stay in your car, and call for help on the cellular phone. If you don’t have a phone, put on the flashers, lift your hood, use flares if possible, get back in the car, and lock the doors. If someone stops to help you, roll the window down enough so he or she can hear you, and ask them to call the police or a tow service.
At home, never open your door to strangers. Always check the identification of salespersons or service people before opening the door. It also is a good idea to have another adult at home with you when service people come, if you can arrange it. Make sure all windows and doors are locked. Have a peephole in the door and well-lighted entrances. Know a neighbor you can call or rely on if something happens.
If you are in an abusive relationship, create a safety plan so you know what you would do in the event of an attempted attack. A safety plan includes: knowing possible escape routes to get away from the attacker (windows, stairwells, basement exits); knowing a safe place to go (a friend or family member you can trust); having a survival kit of money, keys, clothes, and important personal information like bank account numbers, phone numbers, and legal documents; knowing the number for a domestic violence hotline; avoiding arguments with the abuser in areas where there are potential weapons; having a personal savings account, separate from the abuser; and reviewing the plan monthly.
The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) explains that there are no hard and fast, right or wrong answers to handle an attacker. It depends on your emotional state and physical state, the situation, and the attacker’s personality. Surviving is the goal, but NCPC recommends the following:
Try to escape. Scream. Be rude. Make noise to discourage your attacker from following.
Talk, stall for time, and assess your options.
If the attacker has a weapon, you may have no choice but to submit. Do whatever it takes to survive.
If you decide to fight back, you must be quick, determined, and effective. Target the eyes or groin.
If you are sexually assaulted, it is not your fault. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or support. Help is available. You can call:
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD)
National Coalition Against Sexual Assault 717-728-9764
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network 1-800-656-HOPE
There are many organizations and hotlines in every state and territory. These crisis centers and agencies work hard to stop assaults and to help victims. The following link from the National Women's Health Information Center provides the contact information for these organizations:
http://www.4woman.gov/violence/state.cfm
You also can obtain the numbers of shelters, counseling services, and legal assistance in your phone book, or by calling information in your are
You can help someone who’s been sexually assaulted by believing her or him. Show your support by listening and offering comfort. Go with her or him to the police, the hospital, or to counseling. Reinforce the message that she or he is not at fault, and that it is natural to feel angry and ashamed. Help find a support group that can help her or him sort through the emotional trauma caused by the assault.
National Women’s Health Information Center,
1-800-994-9662; 1-888-220-5446 (TDD)
http://www.4woman.gov/violence/index.htm
Division of Violence Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/dvp.htm
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center
1-877-739-3895
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
1-800-656-HOPE
National Center for Victims of Crime
http://www.ncvc.org/
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD)
http://www.ndvh.org/
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape
125 N. Enola Drive
Enola, PA 17025
1-888-772-PCAR
717-728-9740
717-728-9781 (Fax)
http://www.pcar.org
Stop It NOW! (child sexual abuse)
413-268-3096
413-268-3098
http://www.stopitnow.com
Publication date: April 2001
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