Sexual Assault and Abuse
Sexual assault is any sexual activity (physical, visual, or verbal) that a person is forced or manipulated into without giving consent. It is not a sexual act; sexual assault is an act of violence and control. No one is immune to sexual assault regardless of age, gender, race, sexual preference, class, or marital status.
Forms of Sexual Assault
- Stranger rape
- Acquaintance rape
- Same sex assault
- Child sexual abuse
- Incest
- Sexual Harassment
- Sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist, or clergy.
If you are sexually assaulted
- Do not bathe, shower, or change clothing.
- Call or go to someone you trust. Your safety is very important. Remember that it is not your fault.
- Call the nearest advocacy center. An advocate will be available immediately to support you.
- The advocate will accompany you to the hospital for a medical exam and to the law enforcement. You may or may not wish to press charges.
- By filing a report while your memory is still fresh, you are not pressing charges!
- Maintain contact with the crisis center for support and reassurance.
Ten things you can do to protect yourself from Date Rape:
- Remember you always have the right to say no!
- Use caution and trust your instincts. Suggest hanging out with a group, going to a public place, or double dating instead of being alone.
- Be aware of different kinds of pressure (such as spreading rumors about you if you won't have sex with him).
- Be clear about your limits. Don't be afraid of hurting his/her feelings.
- Stay in charge. Always carry money for a bus or cab and change for a phone call. Remember it is better to get in trouble for being somewhere you shouldn't be, than to get raped.
- Watch for danger signs. If a person doesn't listen to you at other times, he/she may not listen to you in a sexual setting.
- If you are afraid to say no, say that you have to go to the bathroom and make a phone call for help. It's ok to lie to protect yourself.
- If the person doesn't listen to you when you say no, say "Stop, this is rape".
- Consider taking a self defense class. It can help you learn to say no and learn to protect yourself in dangerous situations.
- Never lose sight of your beverage if you are out at a club or party. Drinks can be spiked very easily with a drug that causes loss of control.
- Try not to go to the bathroom, but ask to have a urine test as soon as possible. The hospital, rape crisis center or police can help you. The findings of such tests can provide valuable evidence in a court of law.
Local Resources
North Shore Horizons: Lake County
Crisis and office: 218-834-5924
Or 800-834-5923
Violence Prevention Center: Cook County
Crisis: 218-387-1237
Office: 218-387-1262
Regional Resources
American Indian Community Housing Association: Duluth, MN
218-722-7225
Dabinoo'Igan Shelter: Duluth, MN
218-722-2247
Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP) Visitation Center: Duluth, MN
218-722-2781
First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center: Duluth, MN
218-727-8353
Life House (Harbor House program): Duluth, MN
218-722-7032
Program for the Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault: Duluth, MN
218-726-1442
Crisis: 866-229-7425
www.pavsa.org
Safe Haven Shelter for Battered Women: Duluth, MN
218-728-6481
Crisis: 877-880-3093
www.safehavenshelter.org/index1.htm
Women's Legal Action (Building for Women): Duluth, MN
218-720-5818
Women's Transitional Housing: Duluth, MN
218-728-6437
State Resources
Minnesota Center Against Violence & Abuse
www.mincava.umn.edu
Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault
www.mncasa.org
National Resources
National Center on Domestic & Sexual Violence
www.ncdsv.org/publications_wheel.html
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
www.ncadv.org
Office on Violence Against Women
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo
Partnership Against Violence Network
www.pavnet.org
The Broken Spirits Network
www.brokenspirits.com
Disclaimer: Listing of resources and websites is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not indicate endorsement of any resources or website. |
