Rape & Sexual Assault

Facts about sexual assault . . .

• Rape is an act of violence. Many rapists have access to non-violent sexual relationships. What they wish to express is power, dominance, control and anger.

• 20-25% of college aged women will be victims of sexual abuse at some point during their college careers.

• Almost 1/3 of victims of sexual assault suffer from Rape Trauma Syndrome, a type of posttraumatic stress disorder. Symptoms can occur months or even years after the incident.

• Rapists come from all socioeconomic levels. There is no external identifying character trait for rapists.

• Most rapes occur in the victims' home.

• Frequently the victim and the rapist are acquainted, "the friend of a friend," or even a close relative.

• More than 70% of sexual assault victims know their attacker.

• One in three girls and one in six boys will be sexually assaulted by the age of eighteen.

• 66% of pregnant adolescents reported being sexually abused at some point in their life.

• Men and women can be victims or perpetrators of sexual violence.

• 14% of married women said their partner had used physical force or threats to try to have sex with them.

• 1.3 women are sexually assaulted every minute.

• In a single year, over 90,000 women in the United States report a rape to law enforcement officials.

If you are the victim of a rape . . .

• Try to remain calm.

• Do not bathe, douche, change clothing, apply medication or do anything to change your appearance. Try not to urinate or defecate, this could destroy crucial evidence.

• Call the Quad Cities Rape/Sexual Assault Crisis Line in your area.

• Discuss the assault and the option of seeking medical care and assistance with a physician.

• Report the crime to the police.

Remember that sexual assault is never your fault.

Medical & Legal Advocacy Services for the Victim

The Medical/Legal Advocate can help by . . .

• Offering procedural explanations on evidence collection for exams.

• Answering any questions the victim has.

• Providing support to assist victims in remaining calm, thereby improving the quality and accuracy of the evidence and information the victim gives.

• Acting as a liaison between the victim and all other parties.

• Explaining Rape Trauma Syndrome.

• Assisting with follow-up testing and medical procedures.

• Assisting with reimbursement for medical expenses.

• Explaining what happened to the victims family and significant others.

• Remaining as a constant resource for the victim.

There is no charge to the victim for the Medical/Legal Advocacy Services they receive. All services provided by the Medical/Legal Advocate are strictly confidential.

Medical/Legal Advocacy Services for Others

Medical/Legal Advocacy Services can also provide professional in-service training to community medical and legal systems and organizations regarding the following . . .

• The effects of sexual assault and how to respond to the individuals involved.

• What is Rape Trauma Syndrome?

• Medical evidence collection procedures.

• Current information and resources linkage regarding sexual assault.

• The services the Quad Cities Rape/Sexual Assault Counseling and Advocacy Program has to offer to the community and how to access them.

Counseling

Quad Cities Rape/Sexual Assault Counseling and Advocacy Program provides counseling to survivors of sexual assault and sexual abuse and their significant others. Our free and confidential services include . . .

• Children's Counseling

• Adolescent Counseling (Ages 13-17)

• Individual Counseling for adult survivors and their significant others

• Family and Group Counseling

• Referrals

Types of Counseling

Individual: For the person who requires a one-to-one relationship with an understanding and trained counselor.

Family: For members of the family including parents, spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend, and close friends.

Group: For those who want to meet with other victims of sexual assault to offer and receive support and to share commons concerns.

The Program Provides:

• Emergency intervention 24 hours a day

• Counseling for the victim and family

• Assistance during medical examination

• Support groups

• Professional in-service training

• Community education programs

Services are offered regardless of the victim's desire to report or not to report the incident to law enforcement agencies.

Education

Education has always been an important service of our program. Education is the key to understanding the effects of sexual assault and its impact. The Quad Cities Rape/Sexual Assault Counseling and Advocacy Program has several pro-active programs available to the community. These programs are designed to support our philosophy that social change and community awareness and involvement are necessary to prevent these crimes. Our programs are designed to meet the specific needs and interests of the audience.

Community Education

Community education presentations and programs are designed to increase public awareness and understanding of the effects of sexual assault on the survivors, their family members and their community. Knowledgeable community members are able to respond more empathetically toward survivors and their family members and/or significant others. Community education programs are available to all diverse, civic, professional, service, religious, social, and corporate groups, organizations, and agencies.

Education Awareness

Education awareness is geared toward pre-school, elementary, junior high, middle, high school, and college aged individuals, as well as, teachers and parent groups. Education awareness provides age specific and appropriate information regarding body image, body safety, child and sexual assault awareness and prevention, date/acquaintance rape, and sexual harassment.

Professional In-Service Training

Professional In-Service Training is for professionals who may come into contact with individuals who have been victimized. This program provides information to enhance the understanding of sexual assault and its effects, thereby enabling more informed and sensitive responses toward the victims. Through this collaborative effort the victims needs will be met.