Emergency
Information - If you need help right now!
|
|
If
you need help right away, in the United States you can
call: 1-800-656-HOPE
(RAINN - Rape Abuse Incest
National Network) and you will be connected
to a rape crisis center near you 24 hours a day, every
day of the week. If you live in the UK, see below... |
The rape
of women and children seems to becoming more and more common,
even though it is estimated that a majority of rapes, sexual
assaults and incidences of sexual abuse go unreported. One
of the reasons why it's difficult for girls, boys, and women
to report rape is because it often occurs between people who
know each other, making it hard for the person to prove that
it happened. The victim is also very fearful of not being
believed or being blamed for the crime.
Some statistics
state that the incidence of rape has decreased in the U.S.
over the past couple of years. According to the U.S. Department
of Justice the incidence of rape has decreased since the laws
punishing rape perpetrators have gotten tougher. But it is
hard to really find the true statistics since this crime so
often goes unreported.
An estimated
80% of people who have been raped knew the person who raped
them. Women ages 15 to 25 are the most frequent victims. Rape
is not about sex to the rapist; it has to do with control
and power.
Although
exact figures are not available, we can make a fair estimate
of the number of stranger or acquaintance rapes in this country
each year. The FBI states that about 82,000 rapes are reported
to the police each year in the United States. Those are primarily
stranger rapes. It is believed as we have already stated that
acquaintance rapes are much more frequent.
A survey
of college women indicated that they had experienced acquaintance
rape much more often than stranger rape, but they were more
likely to report the stranger rape to the police. It is NOT
know what percentage of rapes are reported to the police.
Whenever
a person is forced to have sex with someone, a rape has occurred.
It doesn't matter if a guy rapes a stranger, a friend, his
girlfriend, or his wife. Even if you have been intimate with
someone before, no one has the right to demand a sexual act
from you against your will.
According
to the U.S. Department of Justice:
 |
One
of every four rapes take place in a public area
or in a parking garage. |
|
|
28%
of female victims reported that the offender was
a stranger. |
|
|
70%
of rapes occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and
6 a.m. |
|
|
At
least 48% of rapists were under the influence
of alcohol or drugs. |
|
|
In
30% of rapes, the offender used a weapon. |
|
|
In
47% of rapes, the victim sustained injuries other
than rape injuries. |
|
|
75%
of female rape victims require medical care after
the attack. |
|
(All statistics
are taken from: Violence against Women, Bureau of Justice
Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Justice, 2001.)
Definition
of Rape:
In the
United States the definition of rape may vary from state to
state, but it is most often defined as:
1. Forced
sexual intercourse
2. Sexual intercourse against the victim's will and without
his or her consent.
3. Sexual intercourse if the victim is mentally or physically
incapacitated.
4. Sexual intercourse if the victim is under the age of consent.
How
Do I Get Medical Help?
If
you were assaulted recently, you may want to consider going
to the hospital to have a sexual abuse evidentiary examination
right away. This examination preserves evidence in case you
decide to press charges. It is a time when you can get medical
advice and medication in case you have contracted a sexually
transmitted disease (STD). In the United States, the evidentiary
exam is paid for by your state. Some survivors don't seek
medical care right away. Even if you were assaulted some time
ago, it is okay to go to the doctor in order to get checked
out for STDs, pregnancy, etc. Some local clinics may provide
free or reduced rates for people who have been sexually assaulted
but choose not to have the evidentiary exam.
Whether
or not you want to seek medical help is your decision. The
following information may help you in making that decision:
|
 You
are entitled to have an advocate from a sexual assault
crisis center present with you to provide support
during the exam.
|
|
The
sexual assault evidence exam and follow-up treatment
are paid for by the State. You should not receive
a bill.
|
|
The
exam is available to women and men. When children
are assaulted they are often seen at one of the State's
Child Protection Centers. You may want to check with
your local law enforcement agency about this possibility.
|
|
You
can get an evidentiary exam even if some time has
passed since you were assaulted.
|
|
If
the assault just happened, try and wait until after
the exam to shower or bathe, so that the greatest
amount of evidence might be preserved. However, it
is still fine to go ahead and have the exam if you
have already showered.
|
|
If
you have had any period of amnesia associated with
the assault, try not to urinate until you get to the
hospital (if possible) and tell the hospital you'd
like to give a urine sample to screen for possible
drugs. If you cannot remember what happened you may
have been given drugs without your knowledge. (See
our Date
Rape Drugs section for more information.)
|
|
If
you are still wearing the clothes you had on during
the assault, it might be best to wear them to the
exam and bring a change of clothing with you to wear
home.
|
|
If
you have already changed your clothes, you may want
to bring the clothes you were wearing during the assault
with you to the hospital in a paper bag. The clothing
you wore during the assault will probably be kept
as evidence. Even if the assault was some time ago,
your clothing may contain evidence.
|
| If
you have just been assaulted, it may be helpful for
you to call your local rape crisis center or sexual
assault program to find out about which hospitals near
you perform the exam. |
What
NOT To Do Before A Checkup
-
Important!
Do not wait more than 48 hours before going to the doctor
or hospital.
Do NOT take a shower before the exam.
Do not change your clothes.
Do not eat or drink anything - (in case you were drugged).
Do not brush your teeth.
How
Do I Report An Assault To The Police?
You may
be thinking about reporting the assault to the police. In
many jurisdictions, you may be able to talk to a detective
or police officer about what happened to you without having
to make an immediate decision about whether or not you want
to press charges. You may not have a choice about charges
being filed in cases of domestic abuse or child abuse. It
is okay to talk with the police about an assault even if it
happened some time ago.
Whether
or not you want to report an assault to the police is your
decision. You know what's best for you.
You can
call your local sexual assault crisis center and ask for an
advocate to be with you when you report. Sexual assault victim
advocates have special training in working with law enforcement
to help you. They can give you support and make sure your
questions are answered.
If you
are speaking with the police and a sexual assault advocate
hasn't been called, you have the right to ask for one. If
you are unsure whether you want to report an assault, in some
jurisdictions you can meet with a detective to talk it over
before making the decision. Call your local sexual assault
crisis center for more information about law enforcement policies
in your area.
|
|
Many
victims of sexual assault are afraid that they will
be blamed or not believed if they report the assault
to the police. In general, detectives who have training
in working with sexual assault cases should understand
the feelings you are experiencing and be sensitive to
your needs and concerns. |
After
being raped, the person often feels ashamed. It is only natural
to want to feel clean and get rid of the memories by washing,
but doing this may removed EVIDENCE. Also, eating or drinking
will make it harder to detect any drugs that you might have
been given to you by the perpetrator. The first 48 hours is
the most important time for collecting evidence! Call a friend.
Call the police! If
you think you have been drugged, it is imperative that you
get tested. This will be an important factor if and when you
decide to press charges or get the police involved.
Read about how you report an assault to the police. It is
not as scary as seen on TV. It is done very privately and
with respect. I know; it happened to me.