RAPE & SEXUAL

ASSAULT AWARENESS

THE VICTIM CENTER

Helping Survivors of

one in three women in the United States will be raped or sexually assaulted in her lifetime;

there are approximately 1.3 rapes per minute, 78 rapes per hour, and 1872 rapes each day;

only 22% of rape victims were assaulted by someone they had never seen before or did not know well;

13% of adult American women have been victims of at least one forcible rape in their lifetimes;

there were approximately 20,000 sexual assaults on males ages 12 and above in the United States in 1991?

Rape is sexual intercourse that occurs without a person’s consent through the use of force or coercion.

Acquaintance Rape is forced or coerced sexual intercourse between people who know each other.

Sexual Assault is sexual intercourse that occurs without a person’s consent, but without the use of force by the perpetrator.

Deviant Sexual Assault is an act which occurs without a person’s consent, and involves the genitals of one person and the mouth, tongue, or anus of another person. It can also be an act involving penetration, however slight, of the male or female sex organ or anus by a finger, instrument or object done for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of another person.

Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness

Rape and sexual assault are crimes that are motivated by a perpetrator’s desire to control and dominate. They are not motivated by sexual desire. The best way to protect yourself from rape or sexual assault is to trust your instincts.

Some steps that can be taken to protect yourself include:

Set sexual limits that are right for you.

Communicate your limits clearly, before the situation arises.

- Trust your feelings and act on them. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.

Be assertive, firm and direct. Passivity is often interpreted as permission.

Pay attention to what is happening around you. Watch for nonverbal clues.

Avoid settings in which you may be vulnerable.

If you chose to drink alcohol, especially with people you don’t know well, drink responsibly.

Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know and don’t leave your drink unattended.

Consider having your own transportation or go out with a group or double date.

Characteristics of a Rapist
The rapist can be anyone. He may be a family member, friend, neighbor, or date. He may seem like the "all American boy." He may be someone you trust.

Someone who tries to make you feel guilty or bad.

Someone who pressures you for sex.

Someone who won’t take "no" for an answer.

Someone who feels that sex is his right.

Someone who uses emotional blackmail.

What are the Warning Signs?
Hostility toward women: Does he show signs of anger toward women?

Wrong ideas about women: Does he view women as sex objects? Does he believe that women are supposed to serve men’s needs?

Domineering personality: Does he act bossy or make all the decisions about what to do and where to go with you.? Does he treat you as his property?

Unrealistic views of women: Does he idolize you and put you on a pedestal? Is he likely to feel let down or angry if he finds out you’re not the person he imagined you were?

Myth vs. Fact:

Myth: Sexual assault is caused by uncontrollable sex drives.

Fact: Sexual assault is an act of physical and emotional violence, not of sexual gratification. Rapists assault to dominate, humiliate, control, degrade, terrify, and violate. Studies shoe that power and anger are the primary motivating factors.

Myth: Women provoke sexual assault and sex appeal is of prime importance in selecting targets.

Fact: Sexual assault victims range in age from infants to the elderly. Appearance and attractiveness are not relevant. A rapist assaults someone who is accessible and vulnerable.

Myth: All rapists are mentally disturbed or are social outcasts.

Fact: Most rapists would not be labeled "crazy" by society’s standards, since they function well in society. Rapists are usually normal, average men: businessmen, factory workers, husbands, students, fathers etc.

Myth: Sexual assault is unplanned and spontaneous.

Fact: Studies show that a majority of sexual assaults are planned in advance.

Myth: Women make false reports of sexual assault.

Fact: Statistics show that only 2% of reports of alleged rapes are unfounded. This is the same percentage of unfounded reports of all other crimes.

Myth: Men do not have to be concerned about sexual assault because it only affects women.

Fact: Men are also vulnerable to sexual assault.

If you are raped or sexually assaulted:

Go to a friend’s house or somewhere you can get emotional support and/or call The Victim Center Hotline at 417 864 SAFE or 417 864 7233.

Seek medical treatment. Don’t douche, bathe, shower, or change clothes before you go.

Report the attack. The more that rape and sexual assaults are reported, the more preventable they become.

Seek counseling. Whether or not you decide to report the attack to the authorities, you should consider seeing a counselor to help you deal with the emotional and practical issues resulting from the attack.

Helping Survivors:

Believe them. If someone tells you about a rape or sexual assault experience, believe them and let them know you do.

Don’t blame them. Victims often blame themselves, so they don’t need others to blame them also. Help them understand that the only one responsible for the assault was the offender.

Listen the them. Victims need to talk about their experience, sometimes over and over again. Let them know that you will listen. This will help them to vent painful feeling.

Respect them. Rape and sexual assault victims have experienced a traumatic event, and they have lived through it. They deserve respect for being alive and for coping. Let them know you respect them.

For more information on sexual assault, or information about victim services, please contact The Victim Center at 417 863 7273. For emergency situations, please contact the crisis hotline at 417 864 SAFE or 417 864 7233.