Sexual violence is a harsh reality that impacts millions of people each year. It can happen to anyone, anywhere--at parties, shopping malls, homes and office buildings, and at all times of the day and night. Among the many victims are teens, college students, housewives, business executives, young children, and grandmothers. In America, someone is sexually assaulted every 2 minutes!

What is sexual assault/abuse?
Sexual assault/abuse is any type of sexual behavior committed against a person without their explicit permission. Examples include harassment, unwanted or inappropriate touching, exposing/flashing, fondling, and penetration with any object. Sexual abuse is differentiated from sexual assault by the relationship of the victim to the offender. Sexual assault becomes sexual abuse when the offender is a family or household member or an individual who has "temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision" of the child (Family Law, 5-701).

What is rape?
Rape is a specific type of sexual assault that involves forced, manipulated, or coerced penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth, with any object. Sexual assault, sexual abuse and rape are all crimes! They are acts of violence motivated by a need to control, humiliate and harm others. The offender can be a stranger or someone the victim knows including a spouse, date, or family member.

CONSEQUENCES
Sexual violence can have devastating immediate and long-term effects on survivors and their families. Each person reacts differently and heals in their own time. Some common experiences include:

PHYSICAL: sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, frequent headaches and migraines.

PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL: shock, denial, embarrassment, shame, anger, depression, anxiety, fear, flashbacks and mental replay of the abuse/assault, sleep disruptions and nightmares, attempted or completed suicide, and unhealthy eating behaviors such as fasting or overeating.

SOCIAL: strained relationships, fear of men, fear of being alone or fear of being around other people, distrust of others, using/abusing drugs and/or alcohol, and engaging in high-risk sexual behavior.

What should I do if I am sexually assaulted or raped?
The offender may have been someone you know--more than 75% of all rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. If you don't know the offender, try to get a description. Notice hair and skin color, scars and tattoos. If a car is involved, try to get the color, model, year and license plate number.
Get to a safe place as quickly as possible.
Do not bathe, douche, shower, comb your hair, or change your clothes. You may destroy important evidence that is needed by the police and that could be used if you choose to take legal action.
Call the police (911) and someone you trust for support.
Get medical attention. If you go to a hospital emergency room within 72 hours, they can collect evidence of the assault. Regardless of when you go to the hospital, you can be examined for injuries and tested for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Remember that it is NOT your fault!
Talk to someone. It is important to understand and deal with your feelings about the assault. It will help you in your recovery. You don't have to face this alone--CASA's hotline number is 301.739.8975 and help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call anonymously if that helps.

What should I do if someone I know is sexually assaulted or raped?
When supporting someone who has been sexually assaulted or raped, it is important not to be judgemental and not to take away their control. It will greatly assist in the healing if you can communicate these four ideas:

"It's not your fault"
"I'm sorry it happened"
"I'm glad you survived"
"You did everything you could do"

Listen, and do not just give advice. If you are asked what to do, offer a couple of options, but allow them to make their own decisions.
Do not ask if they did anything to lead the attacker on, what they were wearing, why they were out at night or any other questions that imply that they might be to blame.
Ask for permission before touching. Hugging a friend or holding their hand may be a natural response, however, in this situation it is important to ask if that would be comforting first.
Offer to help by contacting CASA, driving them to the hospital, and/or calling the police if they desire. Stay with them during the interview and examination if they want.
Don't say they will get "over" the assault/rape.
Always respect their confidentiality. Do not tell anyone else that they were raped, unless they have explicitly asked you to do so.

CASA CAN HELP
You don't have to face this alone--CASA is here to help. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling our 24 hour hotline at 301.739.8975 (TTY 301.739.1012). Survivors of sexual violence experience many challenges. It is important to understand and deal with your feelings AND for you to get the support that you deserve. We offer programs and services that help women and men of all ages, as well as children, who have been impacted by rape, sexual assault/abuse, and incest. Our professional staff is trained to assist people as they work to understand and deal with their feelings and heal from recent or past sexual assault/abuse. We provide crisis intervention, counseling, accompaniment and advocacy with other community systems, and information and referrals to community resources. Counseling sessions are kept completely confidential, except certain information about abuse that we are mandated by law to report. (See FAQ "Is CASA required to report crimes of domestic violence and sexual assault?") For more information or to arrange an appointment call contact us today.

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