Sexual Assault and Rape

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KEY POINTS

• Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact. It can be verbal, visual, or physical. Rape is sexual intercourse done without consent.
• The effects of sexual assault or rape are physical, mental, and emotional. If you have been sexually assaulted or raped, you may be given medicines to prevent pregnancy, treat sexually transmitted infections, or help with anxiety, depression, or trouble sleeping. You should consider professional counseling or a rape support group.

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What are sexual assault and rape?

Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact. It can be verbal, visual, or physical. Rape is sexual intercourse done without consent. Consent means that you understand what is going on and want to do it. Rape is one kind of sexual assault.

Sexual assault and rape may be done by a stranger but may also be done by someone you know, as in the case of date rape or domestic violence.

All forms of sexual assault and rape are crimes. Sexual assault is a crime even if you were drinking, taking drugs, given drugs, or unconscious when it happened. Homosexual rape, incest, and other sex offenses are also sexual assault. Statutory rape is sex with someone who is not yet old enough to legally consent. An example of this is a 25-year-old man having sex with a 15 year-old girl.

What are the effects?

The effects of sexual assault and rape are physical, mental, and emotional.

Physical effects may include:

• Migraines and headaches
• Injuries to your genitals and possibly to any part of your body
• Sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes, gonorrhea, AIDS, and syphilis
• Pregnancy

Mental and emotional effects may include:

• Severe anxiety or fearfulness
• Mood swings, depression, or thoughts of suicide
• Confusion or trouble concentrating
• Trouble sleeping or bad dreams
• Flashbacks
• Feelings of guilt or shame
• Emotional numbness or withdrawing from other people
• Not taking care of yourself
• Alcohol and substance abuse

How is it treated?

If you have been sexually assaulted, call the 911 or go immediately to the hospital. Many people need time to think about whether they want to prosecute. It’s best to get medical care and file a police report right away in case you want it to be used later. If you change your mind later, it is easier not to prosecute than not to have any evidence. There may be a rape victim support service in your area. These services are usually available 24 hours a day. They will usually send someone to go with you to the police or emergency room and help you find counseling afterward.

You should have an exam within a few hours of the assault (and before showering or bathing) even if you aren’t sure if you want to prosecute. To help provide evidence of the assault:

• Do not bathe, comb your hair, or clean any part of your body. Don’t even brush your teeth.
• Do not change clothes if possible.
• Do not urinate before being examined if you think that you were given a date rape drug.
• Do not touch or change anything at the scene of the assault.
• Write down all the details you can about the attack and the attacker.

Child victims need to be evaluated by a provider right away. It is best for the child to see a counselor trained to work with abused children. Children who are sexually assaulted need special counseling and care.

At the hospital you will be given a thorough exam, including a pelvic exam for women, to check for injuries. You may need to be treated to prevent sexually transmitted infections. To collect evidence to use against the attacker, the healthcare provider will test your clothing and look for blood and strands of hair from the attacker. This evidence can be tested against body fluid or skin samples from suspects.

After your exam the healthcare provider may recommend that you:

• Take antibiotics or other medicine for sexually transmitted diseases.
• Seek professional crisis counseling.
• Join a support group for rape victims.

Women may be offered medicines to prevent pregnancy.

You may be prescribed medicine to help with anxiety, depression, or trouble sleeping.

How can I take care of myself?

The physical effects of sexual assault can last from a day to a few months, depending on your injuries. Schedule follow-up visits so that your healthcare provider can make sure that your injuries are healing properly.

It may take much longer to recover from mental and emotional effects after sexual assault. Contact a hospital, social worker, or rape crisis center. Counseling can help you cope with feelings of guilt, helplessness, depression, or anxiety. You may benefit from a rape support group where you can share your feelings with others who have had a similar experience. Remember, if you were raped, it is not your fault.

Let friends and family members give you support. It is possible that friends and family may push you to "get over it" before you're ready. It takes time, and that's normal. There are family counseling programs to help them deal with their concerns.

How can I help someone who has been sexually assaulted?

• Don’t judge or blame them. Rape is never the fault of the victim.
• Listen to your friend or relative if they want to talk, but don’t push them to talk about things if they don’t want to.
• Respect their decisions, including whether they decide to prosecute.
• Offer to go along to appointments or counseling.

What can be done to help prevent rape?

You may want to download an app on your smartphone to use in case of emergency. Some apps allow you to touch one button to sound an alarm and send a message to your contacts, including 911 if you set it up. Some apps will also automatically record video and audio that can be used as evidence.

• Avoid alleys and other places where there aren’t other people around.
• Go to parties with friends and arrange to look out for each other.
• Know your limits when drinking or using drugs.
• Keep your home and car locked and secured.
• Be alert to strangers around you.
• Choose your companions wisely.
• Take a self-defense course.
• Carry a loud whistle and use it to attract attention when in danger.
• Carry a self-defense spray such as pepper spray if it is legal in your area.

You can get more information from:

• Office of Women's Health
  http://www.womenshealth.gov/index.php
• Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
  800-656-4673
  https://rainn.org/