Sexual Assault

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Sexual assault is also known as rape. It is when you are forced to have sex or perform sexual acts against your will. Some people feel that rape is a crime of passion. This means that the attacker felt some kind of love for you and felt that they could not stop themselves. But, this is not true. Rape is a crime of violence caused by the attacker's need for power and control. A rape can be done by someone you know, like a date or a relative, or by a stranger. Men or women of all ages may be rape victims. It usually happens to women, but can also happen to men and to children. Most rapes are well planned but happen without warning to the victim.

Causes: Rape is not the fault of the victim. What you may have said or how you looked or dressed did not cause the rape. The victim often could not have kept it from happening.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Cuts and bruises and tears of the vagina and rectum (rear end) may occur during the rape. You may have swelling, bruising, or pain between your legs for 2 to 3 days after the rape. Your throat may be sore if you were forced to have oral sex. Or, you may get an infection in your vagina, rectum, mouth, or throat from the rapist. Some female rape victims may get pregnant after being raped.
  
  
• People react to rape in different ways. You may feel scared, nervous, shaky, or want to cry. You may talk a lot or not talk at all. Or, you may find yourself smiling or laughing. Some people show no signs at all soon after being raped. Later on they may feel guilty, sad, or angry. You may have problems sleeping, feel anxious, or are afraid of being alone. Or, you may want to be alone all the time. You may also not want to have sex. Both men and women rape victims have emotional pain.

Care:

• Your caregiver will want to examine you to see if you have been hurt.
  
  
  • Samples of your blood, urine, or fluid from inside your mouth, vagina or rectum may be taken. If you reported the sexual assault to the police, the test results may be used as evidence.
    
    
  • Do not wash any clothes that you wore during or right after the assault. The police may use them to get evidence.
    
    
  • You may be given antibiotic (an-ti-bi-ah-tik) medicine to keep from getting an infection after the rape. It is very important to take them until they are all gone.
    
    
  • You may be given medicine to help prevent you from getting a sexually transmitted disease.
    
    
  • You may also be given a medicine to keep you from getting pregnant. It is a birth control pill called a "morning after" pill. Take it exactly as directed.
  
  
• Call your caregiver for a follow-up visit. Write down questions you have about being raped and how both your body and your mind can be treated. This way you'll remember to ask these questions during your next visit.
  
  
• Tell your caregiver everything that happened to you.
  
  
  • You may feel scared, confused, and anxious because you were raped. You may blame yourself and think you have done something wrong. These feelings are common. You might be embarrassed, but your caregiver can care for you better by knowing what happened. Remember you did not do anything to cause the rape.
    
    
  • It is important that you work through your emotions. Talk about your feelings with your caregiver or someone close to you. People at a rape assistance center can support you. Ask caregivers for the phone number of the rape assistance center closest to you. Many community agencies have a 24-hour crisis line available for counseling. Such a group can give you support and information. Many churches have free programs to help you recover spiritually from being raped.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about rape and how it can be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care will be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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