After Sexual Assault

1 AfterSexual AssaultA Recovery Guide for SurvivorsSAFE HORIZON24-Hour Hotline: 212 227 HORIZON hopes this guide will help the recoveryof anyone whose life has been affected by a sexualassault. The Rape Crisis Program at Safe Horizon providesindividual and group counseling, workshops, support,practical assistance, and information to victims of sexualassault and their of ContentsYou Have Survived a Trauma ..1 Survivor s Bill of Rights ..3 Facts about Sexual Assault ..4 What to Do to Help Yourself ..5 your Response to Sexual Assault ..9 Counseling ..11 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ..13 Some Additional Information ..15 Survivor s Measure of Growth.

2 17 How to Contact Safe Horizon ..19 You Have Survived a TraumaRape and Sexual Assault are traumatic experiences thatmay interrupt your life at home, at work, and at school,affecting your relationships with friends, family, and guide can help you to begin sorting out youremotions and concerns and to understand the facts sur-rounding Sexual have survived, and now you can begin torecover. Although this process is often slow and confus-ing, with understanding and persistence you can accom-plish a great deal. You have control over how reassurance and support of friends, family, orsignificant others is very important during this time, buttheir reaction to your experience may not be what youanticipate or would like it to be.

3 People in your life will 1react in different ways; some may express blame, othersmay give you their full support. If you feel ready, youshould allow those who offer their support to help youthrough this period it will aid you in your recoveryprocess. But the decision to talk about your experience isa personal choice. You do not have to share your expe-rience with anyone until you feel you are ready, Safe Horizon can help. Call oneof our rape crisis programs listed at the end of this guide,or the Rape, Sexual Assault , and Incest Hotline at 212 2273000. Our counselors are available for private, confidentialconversations 24 hours a day. 2 Survivor s Bill of RightsYou have the right to be have the right to be given the same credibility as any other crime have the right to seek and receive have the right to courteous, efficient have the right to be treated with dignity andrespect, without prejudice against race, class, lifestyle, age, gender, religion, Sexual orientation , or have the right to accurate information, presented ina way that you have the right to ask have the right to make your own have the right to change your have the right to get help and support from have the right to about SexualAssaultThe first step in recovery is to know the facts.

4 Sexualassault is a general term that includes: rape, incest, childmolestation, marital rape, date rape, Sexual harassment,sodomy, Sexual abuse, voyeurism, and indecent Assault is a violent act committed primarily bya perpetrator who needs to feel powerful and in controlby forcing someone else to participate in unwanted sex-ual , the victim fears for his or her life or physicalwell-being and feels that there is no choice but to dowhat the attacker wants. But submission does not equalconsent. If you submit, it does not mean that you agreedto or accepted the situation. A victim is never responsiblefor being sexually assaulted. The responsibility for theassault lies with the to Do to HelpYourselfSexual Assault can cause significant trauma and disruptyour physical and emotional health.

5 your recovery pathwill take many stages, but the important thing is to takecare of ACTION After BEING SEXUALLY ASSAULTEDA fter you have been sexually assaulted, it is important tosee a doctor before washing or taking a shower so thatphysical evidence can be collected. Even though youmay not feel ready at this time to consider pressingcharges against your attacker, the physical evidence willbe preserved in case you decide to press charges at alater date. 5 TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF PHYSICALLYThe idea of seeing a doctor may seem unpleasant, but itis important for you to see a medical attention will help your immediate physicalhealth and may prevent further damage to your don t have to go alone.

6 Having a family member orfriend with you during the examination can help youfeel at ease during the procedures. your Rape CrisisProgram counselor may also be able to arrange for anadvocate to accompany your medical professional to explain what he orshe is doing before the examination so that you knowwhat to expect. Make sure your doctor understands yoursituation. You may be more sensitive than a person whohasn t been assaulted and may need more time and reas-surance during medical procedures, no matter how rou-tine. You have the right to interrupt or refuse any medicalprocedure you do not wish to can get treatment for your physical injuries andbe tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), includ-ing HIV, either at a hospital or by your private detection of STDs is very important.

7 Discuss anymedical concerns you have with your doctor or coun-selor, but do not let concerns and fears prevent you fromreceiving the medical treatment you need and rape survivors find that receiving medicalattention helps them to regain a sense of control overtheir more information concerning your physicalhealth, contact your local Planned Parenthood affiliate at 1 800 230 PLAN or CARE OF YOURSELF EMOTIONALLYMany rape survivors feel isolated in the aftermath of theassault. In order to reduce those feelings, reach out forsupport to those who are close to you: call family mem-bers, friends, or a Rape Crisis Program counselor.

8 It mighthelp you feel better to have someone to talk to, and youmight want people around you so that you feel professional support or counseling. Havingsomeone to talk to about how you are feeling may helpyou to deal with the emotions you are , a counselor can help you express yourneeds to others and learn how to get those needs your LEGAL RIGHTS AND KNOW WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLEOne of the most important decisions you may strugglewith is whether or not to report the crime to the or not you decide to press charges, you deserve 7support and should know about the range of servicesavailable to you. You may report the crime and still decidenot to prosecute.

9 You have the right to be notified of judi-cial proceedings against the accused if you decide to pros-ecute, and you may submit a victim impact statementwhen the defendant is sentenced.*The New York StateCrime Victims Board may be able to reimburse you foryour direct out-of-pocket expenses caused by the are many other general rights that a victim has, andyou should explore these with a counselor or someoneyou trust who knows the law. Refer to our hotline or pro-grams listed at the end of this brochure as a resource. * The Rights of Crime Victims, New York State Crime Victims Board (1999)8 your Response toSexual AssaultYour response to an Assault may cover a wide range ofphysical and emotional symptoms, even some that maynot seem to result directly from the attack.

10 Learning torecognize these responses will help you gain control ofthem. You may experience these symptoms immediatelyor later in your life, or you may never experience any ofthem. Every survivor responds differently. You may evenexperience some symptoms that are not on this PHYSICAL RESPONSES AND SYMPTOMSPOSSIBLE EMOTIONAL RESPONSES AND SYMPTOMS10 Muscle tensionPainShortness of breathInjuryGynecological disturbancesFatigueChanges in sleeping and eating patternsFlashbacksNightmaresInvoluntary shakingSexual dysfunctionFeeling dirtyAnxietyShock/numbnessEmbarrassmentF eeling of loss of control over one s lifeReliefFearGriefDepressionLoss of trustAngerIrritabilitySuicidal thoughtsDenialPreoccupation withsafetyGuilt or self-blameShameApprehensionIndecisionFee ling stuckChanges in perceptionof the worldCrying or inability to cryCounselingSexual Assault can change your