Sexual Assault Information and Resources
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual Assault is any sexual contact or behavior that happens without your consent. Sexual Assault can be committed by a stranger, or someone you know, including a partner, family member, friend, or acquaintance.
Sexual assault may include:
- Unwanted touching or groping
- Sexual acts when someone is unable to consent due to drugs, alcohol, sleep, age, disability, or fear
- Forced or coerced sexual acts
Sexual assault is never your fault, regardless of what you were wearing, where you were, or whether you knew the person.
Signs of Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault affects everyone differently. There is no “right” way to feel or respond.
Physical Signs May Include:
- Pain, bruising, or injuries
- Difficulty sleeping or changes in appetite
- Headaches, stomach pain, or other unexplained physical symptoms
Emotional or Behavioral Signs May Include:
- Shock, numbness, fear, or confusion
- Anxiety, depression, or panic attacks
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Feeling ashamed, guilty, or disconnected
- Withdrawing from people or activities
These reactions are common and valid. Support can help.
Getting Help If You Have Experienced Sexual Assault
1. Get to a Safe Place. Find a safe location, like a hospital. If you do not feel safe or you’re in immediate danger, call 911. Find a shelter or a sexual assault advocate near you.
2. Seek Medical Care. Call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. It is important to see a medical professional to help both your immediate physical health and prevent further damage to your health. A doctor or nurse may give you medicine to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy. You can receive an exam and treatment without having to report to the police or make other decisions at this time. A nurse or doctor can walk you through your options. The exam will be completed at no charge to you, and is required by law to be paid for by the county the crime was committed in.
3. Reporting. The decision to report the assault to law enforcement is up to you and an entirely personal decision. Call 911 or work with an advocate to reach out. Having a sexual assault forensic exam ensures that the forensic evidence will be safely preserved if you decide to report at a later time.
4. Reach out for Support. Advocates are available to help you navigate the aftermath of a rape or sexual assault and can offer support or guidance. Local advocacy agencies are listed below.
Safety Planning with Sexual Assault Survivors
Sexual assault can be a difficult subject to discuss. You may not know what to say if someone tells you they’ve been sexually assaulted. An important part of the healing process for sexual assault survivors is safety planning. Safety planning is an ongoing process, not a one-time conversation. The initial plan should identify the individual’s immediate sense of safety and any concerns they have. Each safety plan should be personalized for the individual survivor’s needs. To make this guide, we used sexual assault survivors as a resource for information.
After a traumatic event such as a sexual assault, survivors can have difficulty assessing the safety of situations and assess unsafe situations as safe. Some survivors got their sense of safety back by:
- Counseling and therapy
- Defense classes
- Developing a routine
- Believing in yourself
Sexual violence affects a person’s emotional and physical safety. Regaining emotional and physical safety can be a long process. Here are some things survivors felt helped them feel safer sooner:
- More awareness about sexual assault
- Confiding in someone
- Having a safety plan
- Support
- Being honest about needing help
Establishing a safety plan can help determine ways to increase one’s safety. Survivors described how their safety plans would look:
- Having a small, nonjudgmental circle of people who know my safety plan
- Staying sober
- Knowing my surroundings
- Having an emergency contact or someone to call for support
Resources can be a helpful tool for help in many different areas. Here are some resources and suggestions from survivors:
- Volunteer in the community to help avoid isolation
- Reach out to other survivors—no one understands how you feel more than them
- Be honest about your feelings and struggles
- Live in a place that makes you feel safe
Additional Resources for Sexual Assault: Safety Planning
