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It is against the law for a man to hit or threaten his wife, girlfriend, or children and a woman to hit or threaten her husband, boyfriend, or children. Abuse can take many different forms:

• Emotional Abuse – is making belittling or degrading comments, questioning one’s judgement or sanity, closely monitoring one’s movements and threats of violence.
• Physical Abuse – can be slapping, pushing, kicking, hitting, choking, and hitting with an object or weapon. This is often accompanied by mental abuse.
• Sexual Abuse – is someone forcing his partner into unwanted sexual activity either through violence or the threat of violence.
• Marital Rape – became a crime in Pennsylvania in February 1985. It is estimated that one in ten wives in the US is raped by their husbands and that as many as 50% of women who are physically abused are also sexually abused. Marital rape is as emotionally painful as stranger rape.

Who can be the victim of sexual assault? In one simple word…ANYONE! The victim is young or old, male or female, attractive or unattractive, married or unmarried, employed or unemployed. Even strong individuals can be overpowered.

Definition of Sexual Violence/Assault

Sexual violence violates a person’s trust and feeling of safety. It occurs any time a person is forced, coerced, and/or manipulated into any unwanted sexual activity. The continuum of sexual violence includes rape, incest, child sexual assault, ritual abuse, date and acquaintance rape, statutory rape, marital or partner rape, sexual exploitation, sexual contact, sexual harassment, exposure, and voyeurism.

Rape is a crime. It is motivated by the need to control, humiliate, and harm. It is not motivated by sexual desire. Rapists use sex as a weapon to dominate others.

Reporting the Sexual Assault

If you are sexually assaulted…

• DO NOT wash, douche, or change your clothes.
• DO NOT touch the evidence or any struggle or disarray.
• DO call the police or go directly to the hospital (although you are not required to involve the police, this is the recommended course of action).

A police officer will come and ask you the following questions…

• Where the assault took place?
• What the suspect looks like?
• How the suspect left the scene?
• Where there any witnesses to this crime?

Know the Facts on Sexual Assault

• Rape is a crime of violence and aggression. NOT A SEXUAL ACT.
• Almost all victims are threatened with death or serious bodily injury.
• Victims DO NOT provoke the attack. They are generally chosen because they appear vulnerable or defenseless. Over 90% of all rapes are planned.
• Most rapists know their victims. Over half of all rapes occur in the victim’s home.
• A rape occurs every eight minutes
• Intra-family sexual assault or incest is not uncommon.
• Rape is a crime against society. It effects everyone who is close to the victim: spouse, children and friends. It can have a devastating affect on all involved.

Child Sexual Assault

Children are innocent and are so hungry for love, affection, and acceptance that they accept any actions they view as providing things to them.

If this “affection” comes to a child as bad, the child may not know whether or not to tell, who to tell, or how to tell. Often the child has been threatened in some way which will prevent the child from telling-even if the child wants to tell someone.

If you suspect that your child may be the victim of sexual assault or incest, it is important for you to encourage your child to talk about what may or may not have happened. Discuss the idea of “good secrets” and “bad secrets” as well as the concept of “good touches” and “bad touches” with your child. Contact CAPSEA, Inc. for help and further information.

If You Have Been Raped…

• Go to a safe place.
• Call the police. Whether or not you choose to prosecute, you may save someone else from being the next victim.
• Do not change your clothes, bathe, douche, or wash away the evidence.
• Go to a hospital to be checked and to have injured treated.
• Try to recall as many facts as possible about the attacker and circumstances of the assault. Write down anything you remember including the attacker’s clothes, height, weight, skin color, car, license number, etc.
• Call C.A.P.S.E.A., Inc. or PCAR (800-692-7445). Services are available regardless of whether or not you choose to report the incident to the police.
• A Sexual Assault Counselor will provide transportation and accompaniment to the hospital and police station. The counselor is there to offer support and answer your questions.

Helpful Pointers in Talking to your Child about Sexual Assualt

• Try to remain calm
• Children usually do not lie about sexual assault
• Find out your child’s name for his or her different body parts.
• Let your child tell their story in their own words.
• Talk to our child in a room where they are very comfortable.
• Let your child know you believe them and are glad they talked to you.

Indicators that Sexual Abuse May be Occurring to your Child

• Sudden academic difficulties
• Depression, crying
• Withdrawal, few friends
• Regression: child may return to earlier forms of behavior whenever under stress. Examples: Bed-wetting, thumb sucking, excessive clinging behavior
• Increased irritability and hostility
• Fears: Child might report new fears, experience frightening nightmares, fearful of going into a particular place, etc.
• Self-destructive behavior, drug & alcohol abuse, runaway behavior
• Seductive behaviors, promiscuity
• Excessive sexual interest

Physical Signs of Sexual Assault

• Unexplained bruises or cuts
• Swelling of the genitals, buttocks or inner thighs
• Recurrent bladder or vaginal infections
• Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing

Aftermath of Sexual Assault

Aside from the obvious physical ailments resulting from rape and abuse, pain can take silent or hidden forms often resulting in depression or self-injury. Another effect of rape can be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

If You Have Been Raped…

• Go to a safe place.
• Call the police. Whether or not you choose to prosecute, you may save someone else from being the next victim.
• Do not change your clothes, bathe, douche, or wash away the evidence.
• Go to a hospital to be checked and to have injured treated.
• Try to recall as many facts as possible about the attacker and circumstances of the assault. Write down anything you remember including the attacker’s clothes, height, weight, skin color, car, license number, etc.
• Call C.A.P.S.E.A., Inc. or PCAR (800-692-7445). Services are available regardless of whether or not you choose to report the incident to the police.
• A Sexual Assault Counselor will provide transportation and accompaniment to the hospital and police station. The counselor is there to offer support and answer your questions.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

1. Physical Symptoms:

• Hypervigilance
• Exaggerated startle response
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty with concentration or memory
• Mood irritability-especially anger and depression

2. Intrusive Symptoms:

• Recurring distressing recollections (thoughts, memories, flashbacks, dreams, and nightmares).
• Physical or psychological distress at an event that symbolizes the trauma.
• Grief or survivor guilt.

3. Avoidant Symptoms:

• Avoiding specific thoughts, feelings, activities, or situation
• Diminished interest in significant activities
• Restricted range of emotions (numbness)

4. Depression

5. Self Injury