The information in this section is designed to help survivors, families, and friends and to provide a resource for
individuals and groups who would like to understand more about the issues surrounding sexual assault.
Take this quiz, and check the answers below.
- Most rapes are violent attacks by strangers.
- Most rapes are the result of sexual miscommunication and urges.
- Women cry rape to get back at men as a form of revenge.
- The most common form of sexual assault, acquaintance rape, is not physically violent.
1. False.
Seventy percent of female victims and 74% of male victims were assaulted by someone they knew -- including husbands
and boyfriends.
[U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey,
“Criminal Victimization, 2003”, September, 2004] (Read actual document )
Please note, this is a 12 page document and will take some time to load.
2. False. This attitude implies that the offender cannot control himself and it is the fault of
the victim that he cannot. It falsely suggests that sex by intimidation, coercion, within relationships, or under
the influence of drugs and alcohol, without overt consent is acceptable.
3. False. Only about 2.5 percent of all rape charges are determined to be un-prosecutable -- the
same percentages of other felonies. In fact, many rape charges are dropped for reasons other than simple false
testimony. Consider the reasons that women choose not to report - negative backlash, name calling, loss of privacy.
Although researchers estimate that as few as 1 in 10 cases is reported to police, according to the U.S. Department
of Justice (Read actual document ) 61.5% were
not reported. Regardless of which statistic one uses, it is apparent that the majority of sexual assaults go
unreported. It is a painful time and one that no person would wish to experience. Women are not ‘conniving and
vindictive’ because they make a rape allegation. Women do not manipulate a situation by crying rape. Why would anyone
want to cry rape? For what gain? It is much more likely that women who do report are committed to pursuing justice,
and much less likely to be exposing themselves to personal scrutiny for the sake of revenge.
4. False. Nearly half of all rape survivors face serious injury or death during a rape. Rape is
a violent assault that is acted out sexually, and which violates the survivor's sense of safety and control.
Statistics
Recent statistics, as reported in a 2005 Report from the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault, show that
sexual assault is one of the most perpetrated and least reported crimes in America.
Other statistics come from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National
Crime Victimization Survey: Criminal Victimization, 2002, Criminal
Victimization, 2003.
1 in 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape.
[U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice: Full
Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women, November 2000]
(Read actual document.)
In 1999, one in every 10 rape victims were male.
[U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics,
National Crime Victimization Survey, “Criminal Victimization, 1999, August 2000]
(Read actual document.)
In 2004, there were 209,880 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual
assault. [2004 NCVS]
The cost to our society is staggering in dollars...
The annual cost of sexual violence is approximately $127 billion.
[Bureau of Justice Statistics, August 2001]
…and injuries…
Of the estimated 4.8 million intimate partner rapes and physical assaults perpetrated against
women each year, about 2 million will result in physical injury to the victim.
[National Violence Against Women Survey Findings, July 2000]
…and loss of innocence...
44% of rape victims are under age 18. 15% are under age 12.
[Sex Offenses and Offenders.
Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, 1997.]
Most sexual assaults are not reported...
In 2001, only 39% of rapes and sexual assaults were reported to law enforcement officials, about
one in every three.
[
1999 NCVS]
...often because the victim was afraid...
Approximately 70% of female rape victims and 74% of male rape victims knew their assailant.
[NCVS 2003]
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (
NSVRC) provides links to sites offering statistical and research information
that may be of interest to you.
EFFECTS:
The information in this section is designed to help survivors, families, and friends and to provide a resource for
individuals and groups who would like to understand more about the issues surrounding sexual assault.
Initial Crisis
Sexual assault is a crisis. Crisis impacts people in different ways according to individual
personalities, past experiences and culture. Understanding this fact is imperative in order to get help for yourself
or to help others.
Some survivors go into shock, or experience overwhelming fear, anger, shame or anxiety. Healing
is an individual process. It can take weeks, months or years for the healing to take place. It is important that
survivors take control of their lives and their healing.
Long term effects
After the initial shock, survivors may want to forget the attack. They may
withdraw from people and seek internal ways to cope. They may be fearful in situations that remind them of the attack.
They may fear seeing the attacker. They may feel depressed, or have negative feelings about themselves. These
feelings are normal reactions to a trauma.
Survivors may experience dramatic mood swings, crying spells or panic
attacks. They may become irritable or have trouble making decisions. They may have nightmares, become anorexic or
bulimic, or turn to alcohol or drugs to block out the memory. Some survivors develop Rape Related Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder or other mental health conditions and should seriously consider seeking appropriate mental health
services.
Read more about Rape Trauma Syndrome.
Recovery
There are many things to consider to facilitate a successful recovery. Each sexual assault
has unique implications on a particular survivor's life. Long term recovery depends on recognizing the effects
that sexual violence can play on emotions, behaviors, relationships, health, sexuality, school or work. Talking
with someone who understands can help.
Generally, seeking help earlier is better than when done later.
Rape crisis advocates can help find counselors or support groups that meet the particular survivor's needs.
Following up on medical and legal concerns is also important.
Family and friends of sexual assault survivors should also seek help to better understand the
recovery process.
UASA has support groups for
both survivors and family and friends of survivors.
LEGAL ISSUES
Reporting vs prosecuting
Reporting is different from prosecuting. It's best for survivors to talk privately with someone
trained in sexual assault intervention immediately so that they are aware of all options.
For a strong legal case, it is best for survivors to report the assault immediately. Medical attention will serve
to collect evidence, which in turn can assist in bringing the perpetrator to justice. Survivors of sexual assault
will be asked if they would like to talk with a law enforcement representative. The survivor always has the right
to report or to decline to report. Once a rape is reported, evidence will be turned over to the prosecutor who will
decide whether or not to pursue prosecution. In most cases, the prosecutor will not pursue a case against
the survivor’s wishes.
Reporting child sexual abuse
Any report to medical services, counselors, law enforcement or school personnel of abuse involving a minor is mandated
to be reported to Children’s Services authorities for immediate investigation.
FORMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT:
Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is sexual contact in which the child is forced, manipulated, tricked or threatened into sexual
behavior with an adult or someone older than the child. The adult uses the child for his or her gratification,
exploiting a child's innocence and vulnerability.
Facts
- It occurs in every race, class, neighborhood, religion and cultural group.
- It usually begins when a child is between three and 11 years old, and can last four years or more.
- Reports of very young children being molested are increasing.
- Usually the offender is someone the child knows and trusts.
- Offenders almost never stop without intervention. They simply move on to other children.
Talk to your child
Most children don't get much information about prevention. Teach children basic rules about their body, and the
importance of telling trusted adults if those rules are being challenged.
Date & Acquaintance Rape
Acquaintance rape is a sexual assault crime committed by someone who knows the victim. It includes date rape
or marital rape if the crime happens on a date or among partners. Acquaintance rape includes forced, manipulated
or coerced sexual contact.
Facts about acquaintance rape:
- It can happen any time or place
- The rapist may be a date, spouse, neighbor, colleague, classmate, delivery person or anyone else known to the victim
- Women 16 to 24 years of age are most vulnerable to acquaintance rape.
- About 70 percent of rape and sexual assault survivors knew their attacker.
- Members of male-only groups such as fraternities and athletic teams have been involved in a disproportionate number
of rapes, especially gang rapes.
- Rape also occurs among people of the same sex and within gay and lesbian relationships.
Why does this happen?
There is a lot of confusion and lack of understanding around date rape. Some men believe that women play hard to get,
say 'no' and mean 'yes' and enjoy being pursued by an aggressive male. Some men perceive that sex is their right. It happens
because the attacker chooses to force sex on the victim. Rape is an act of power and control.
When is sex without consent acceptable?
Never. NEVER. Not ever.
Beliefs can contribute to the violence. A survey of boys and girls ages 11 to 14 found:
- 51 percent said non-consenting sex was acceptable if the boy 'spent a lot of money' on the girl
- 65 percent of boys and 47 percent of girls said it was acceptable for a boy to rape a girl if they had been dating for
more than six months
- 87 percent of boys and 79 percent of girls said sexual assault was acceptable if the man and women were married [Illinois
Coalition Against Sexual Assault, 1994]
Drug-induced Rape
Everyone should be able to drink or go to a party without fear of rape. Unfortunately, some men attempt to take advantage of
women whom they know have been drinking. If a man rapes a woman at a party where the woman consumes alcohol, she is often
blamed. The rapist, on the other hand, is often "excused" for his violent behavior if he had been drinking.
Alcohol is the most widely used drug to facilitate sex without consent. However, the use of Rohypnol and
'date rape drugs' are on the rise. These are put in women's drinks and then the women are sexually assaulted. These drugs
cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. The effects include drowsiness, impaired judgment or motor skills and amnesia, which may
last six to eight hours.
If you choose to drink, have a safety plan:
- The use of alcohol or other drugs to facilitate a sexual assault is illegal.
- Understand that several people may have access to your drinks and that increases the risk for someone to taint your drink
with drugs.
- Ask a friend who is not drinking to be alert to cues that you may need help in getting home safely.
- Before a date, decide the level of sexual intimacy you are comfortable with and communicate that clearly before you start
drinking. Remember, you always have the right to stop sexual intimacy, at any point.
Men and other women can help by intervening if a woman is being harassed, making sure a woman is not isolated
by a man or a group of men, by refusing to go along with plans to 'get a woman drunk,' and by helping an intoxicated woman get
home safely.
Marital Rape
Marital rape is a form of both sexual assault and domestic violence. It, like all forms of sexual assault, is illegal and
defined under the California Revised Code (F)262 P.C. It can occur between spouses or partners in heterosexual, gay or lesbian
relationships.
Domestic violence is the emotional, physical or sexual mistreatment of one family member by another. Violence
and the use of fear give the batterer power and control over a partner. California Revised Code (F)273.5 P.C.
For more information on other forms of domestic violence, click on the site below, the
SCCBW - Statewide California Coalition For Battered Women.
www.sccbw.org
Males
Men may be hesitant about reporting or talking about rape or sexual assault, because issues of masculinity and homophobia
come into play. A man may ask, 'Why couldn't I protect myself? Has this ever happened to other men? If I had sex with another
man, am I homosexual?'
Using your power for good
For information about how men can use their power for violence prevention, read
10 Things men can do to prevent gender violence, or log on to the following site:
www.jacksonkatz.com for additional information.
SAFETY & PREVENTION
Risk Reduction and Communication
Tips
The following tips are strategies aimed at reducing risk and recognizing potentially dangerous situations. Be aware that
utilizing these tips does not completely eliminate the threat of sexual assault.
Women:
- Know your sexual desires and limits. Communicate them clearly.
- Be assertive. You have the right to say NO to sexual activity.
- Be aware of any nonverbal messages that may be misinterpreted.
- Trust your intuition. If you feel afraid, try to leave the situation
- Regardless of what actions you take, no one ever has the right to sexually assault you.
Men:
- Know your sexual desires and limits. Communicate them clearly.
- Accept the woman's limits. Remember that 'no' means 'no.'
- Do not assume that previous permission for sexual contact means that she wants to have sex with you again.
- Know that being turned down for sex is not a personal rejection. It means your partner does not want sex with you
at the time.
- Do not engage in woman-hating jokes, sexual harassment or any other form of sexual violence. Stand up to your friends
and spread the message that violence against women is not ok.
SELF DEFENSE
Self-defense includes physical and mental skills aimed at defending yourself from various forms of assault. UASA regularly
offers self-defense courses for women and girls. Call the office at 707-545-7270 extension 13 and speak to our Prevention
Education Coordinator or email prevention@uasasonoma.org.
It is important to note that self-defense is a valuable tool for empowering individuals facing crisis situations. Likewise,
it is equally important to note that circumstances of each assault vary. Choosing not to fight off an attacker is also a valid
personal safety choice. Any choice a person makes to preserve their well being or life is the right choice.
MEDICAL ISSUES
It is important to get medical attention immediately following the assault – whether reporting or not. If reporting,
hospital personnel follow a protocol to provide support, examination and treatment of injuries, documentation of injuries, evidence
collection and follow-up medical services. The patient will be advised that a rape crisis advocate, family member or friend can be
contacted to stay with her (him) during the procedures. Attending SART staff will discuss appropriate testing, treatment and follow-up
instructions regarding sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy determination and available prophylaxis.
SART
Sexual Assault Response Team:
A program coordinated through the Sonoma County Public Health Department, SART is comprised of representatives from four groups:
- Law Enforcement
- Sexual Assault Nurse examiners
- United Against Sexual Assault of Sonoma County
- District Attorney’s Office
A call to local law enforcement is all that is necessary to set SART in motion. (Local number is quicker, however 911 is also effective
in starting the process.)
The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is a community-based approach to providing a sensitive, comprehensive, coordinated
system of intervention and care for survivors of sexual assault. It is designed to support the survivor while reducing post-traumatic stress,
improving the collection of forensic evidence, facilitating investigation, and supporting the prosecution of the perpetrator.
The team is designed to meet the needs of sexual assault survivors and their significant others by providing:
- Cultural competency
- Sensitive and coordinated response
- Early emotional support and advocacy
- Accessible, prompt, high quality forensic medical examinations
- Prophylaxis to protect the survivor against sexually transmitted disease
- Assessment of pregnancy risk and emergency contraception
- On-going information about investigative and criminal justice procedures
- Counseling for sexual assault survivors and their significant others
The SART team is most often called into action when a survivor reports the assault to Law Enforcement. After taking the initial report,
the officers will determine if a forensic medical exam is appropriate. The police, who pay for the medical exam, then contact the Sexual
Assault Nurse Examiner and the Rape Crisis Advocate who meet the survivor and Law Enforcement at the hospital. The team then begins working
together with the survivor.
All UASA Crisis Advocates are community-based volunteers. Each has completed a 50-hour State Certified Sexual Assault Training and also
participates in eight sexual assault workshops each year. Advocates are able to answer, or get the answer to many pertinent questions that
may come up for the survivor.
It's important to know that the advocate is the only person who isn't involved with investigating the facts or collecting evidence.
This means that they are completely able to attend to the needs of the survivor in an unconditional and responsive way. They do this by:
- Providing emotional support, listening, and empathizing with the survivor
- Lessening any sense the survivor may have of going through the process alone
- Following-up with the survivor after the examination to check-in and assess any new needs or concerns
- Providing information about support services offered by UASA that the survivor may find helpful, including individual and group
counseling
- Giving appropriate referrals to other agencies based on the survivor's needs
- Providing written literature about Rape Trauma Syndrome, the Victim Assistance Program, and Personal Safety Tips.
UASA advocacy services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to sexual assault survivors of all ages and their significant
others (just contact our hotline at (707) 545-7273. In addition to meeting survivors at hospitals, advocates will accompany survivors to
Law Enforcement agencies, District Attorney's offices, court proceedings, and other social services. In other words, an advocate will
provide support throughout the entire process, if that is what the survivor wants.
The survivor's right to have an advocate present from the beginning of the investigation to case closure is a matter of public policy in
the State of California and is protected under state law: Penal Code Section 679.04(a) provides that a victim of sexual assault has a
right to have a victim advocate and a support person of the victim's choosing present at any interview by Law Enforcement authorities,
District Attorneys or defense attorneys, and during any medical or physical examination.
On a healing note, it turns out that the role of the Rape Crisis Advocate is essential in significantly reducing additional stress experienced
by sexual assault survivors. Studies have shown a reduction in the severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms when quick and early support
is provided to those who have suffered trauma.
If you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted and require assistance or additional information regarding the SART process, please don't
hesitate to call our hotline at (707) 545-7273. We will be there for you.
Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS)
Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS) is a form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that often affects rape survivors.
Not all rape survivors will experience RTS. Different women respond to the trauma of rape in different ways. Some women will experience severe RTS, while others have few symptoms or none at all. ALL rape survivors need to be believed, taken seriously and supported, regardless of whether they experience RTS or not.
Experiencing some or all of the symptoms of RTS does not mean you’re crazy. The symptoms of RTS can be very powerful and distressing. As a survivor, it may feel as if you’re going crazy, but that is a normal reaction. If you are supporting a friend or family member who has been raped, you may find the survivor's behaviors puzzling or upsetting. HOWEVER, the symptoms of RTS are a NORMAL reaction to a traumatic experience, and they will fade over time with proper care and support.
A survivor's individual response to rape, and the degree of RTS they experience depends on many factors:
- If the victim knew and trusted the rapist
- If family and friends are supportive and patient, or blaming and unhelpful
- Treatment by the police and justice system, should the victim choose to report the attack
- Age and previous life experiences
- Cultural and religious background
- The degree of violence used by the rapist
- Injuries, illnesses or disabilities resulting from the rape
- Whether the rape brings up memories of past traumas
- The victim’s emotional state prior to the rape
- The victim’s practical and material resources
Remember: Every rape situation is unique and it is very important to treat each rape survivor as an individual.
It is next to impossible to completely forget about a rape. Many survivors lose or suppress memories of all or part of the rape, but it is not forgotten; however, the memories will almost certainly resurface later, and the survivor will need to face them.
If the victim is very young, or experiences the rape as especially traumatic, they may block the memory of the rape even as it is occurring. They may not consciously recognize that they has been raped or may not experience any symptoms until months or years later, usually when another life event, such as a first sexual relationship or another trauma, triggers the memories. Once the memories return the survivor will never forget what happened, but will learn to live with the trauma. Recovery takes time. Survivors must allow themselves to remember the rape and feel whatever feelings it will bring, even though this is often very difficult and painful. They need to work through the experience, and integrate it into their lives so they can move on.
Physical Symptoms of RTS
- Shock: usually an immediate response. May include: numbness, chills, faintness, confusion, disorientation,
trembling, nausea and vomiting
- Sleep problems: unable to sleep, sleeping more than usual, or other changes in sleeping patterns
- Eating problems: no appetite and subsequent weight loss, or compulsive eating and subsequent weight gain
- No energy or too much energy
- Physical illness: the stress may weaken the immune system and making them more vulnerable to illness. The rapist may have infected the survivor with an STD, or other illness. A general feeling of “unwellness” is normal
- Physical pain: this may be as a result of injuries inflicted by the rapist, or a physical reaction to emotional pain
- Cardiovascular problems: heart palpitations, breathlessness, tightness or pain in the chest, high blood pressure
- Gastrointestinal problems: loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, dryness in mouth, butterflies in
stomach, feelings of emptiness in stomach, etc.
- Exaggerated startle response: over-reacting to sudden noise or movement
- Over-sensitivity to noise
Cognitive Symptoms of RTS
"As if" feelings or flashbacks: re-experiencing sensations that were felt during the rape, or actually reliving parts of the experience in memory or dreams.
- Intrusive thoughts: sudden or forceful "intrusive" memories of aspects of the rape. Constantly thinking about the attack.
- Memory loss: the survivor may be unable to remember the rape or parts of it; this is usually temporary, although it can last for many years
- Poor concentration
- Increased alertness
- Speech problems: stuttering, stammering or other difficulty talking
- Indecisiveness
- Difficulty problem solving
- Nightmares
- Violent fantasies
- Revenge fantasies
Behavioral Symptoms of RTS
- Crying
- Avoiding reminders of the rape
- Pretending that it never happened
- Neglecting themselves or other people
- Increased washing or bathing
- Self-blame
- Fear of being alone
- Not socializing or socializing more than before the rape
- Relationship problems: the survivor may be irritable, argumentative or easily upset; they may withdraw from people they felt close to before the rape or form sudden new connections; they may grow overly dependent on others or become too independent.
Survivors may experience sexual problems after the rape. They may not want sexual contact of any kind, or may no longer enjoy it - this may be exacerbated if their partners blames them or are impatient with their recovery; alternatively, they might become more sexually active than before.
Survivors may make drastic changes in home, work, school or relationships; this can be an important part of helping them feel safe and in control again.
- Substance abuse
- Emotional Symptoms of RTS
- Denial
- Numbness or lack of emotion
- Rapid, inexplicable mood changes
- Shame
- Guilt
- Feeling dirty
- Anger or desire for revenge
- Fear
- Nervousness and worry
- Being easily upset
- Powerlessness and loss of control
- Grief and loss
- Feeling "different" from other people
- Loss of Self-esteem
- Losing interest in life
- Depression
- Suicidal feelings
RTS symptoms change over time. In the first days after the rape, survivors usually experiences shock. They may be visibly upset, or may appear calm and reluctant to talk. Once the shock has passed there may behave as if nothing has happened. This is called denial or apparent adjustment and helps the survivor block painful memories and feelings that they may not yet be strong enough to deal with. This phase can last for weeks or months or even years, but is almost always followed by a long phase of active healing, during which the survivor will probably experience other RTS symptoms. With care, attention and time, the symptoms will decrease and finally disappear completely.
Many rape survivors who experience symptoms of RTS, may find it helpful to talk to a counselor trained in working with rape victims. A counselor can help them deal with the strongest symptoms, or to work through memory loss. Other survivors may find that the rape brings up other underlying problems, and in these cases, more help may be needed. If you would like to find a capable counselor, contact UASA or another women’s help group.
For more information contact United Against Sexual Assault (UASA). We offer a 24/7crisis line for victims and also offer training, education and information about rape and other forms of violence against women, teens and children.
If you have questions not answered in this section, please contact us at:
Rape Trauma Syndrome Information
