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Sexual Assault Survivor's Guide
- What is sexual assault?
- What is consent?
- Who can be a perpetrator of sexual assault?
- Who can be a victim of sexual assault?
- What to do if you are sexually assaulted?
- What happens during the medical exam?
- Common reactions of survivors
- Minimizing the risk of sexual assault
- Survivors of sexual assault have many RIGHTS
- People you can call, people who will listen
Sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. On this page you will find information, legal definitions, resources, and links you can use to learn more about sexual assault. An important point to remember is that no one deserves to be sexually assaulted.
Here are some statistics that indicate the prevalence of sexual
assault on college campuses:
- Female college freshmen report higher incidences of sexual victimization than older students. 1
- In a 1-year time period, about 3% of college women are victims of completed or attempted rape. 2
- Almost half (48.8%) of college-aged women who were victims of attacks that met the study's definition of rape did not consider what happened to them a sexual assault. 3
- Systems of dominance, homophobia and gender rigidity not only perpetuate sexual violence, these systems of power serve to silence male survivors who may fear appearing powerless, weak, and unmasculine. 4
- Sexual assaults in college are more likely to occur at night and in someone's residence (either the victim's or the offender's). 5
- In a study of college women, nearly 90% of rape or sexual assault victims knew the offender, who was usually a classmate, friend, ex-boyfriend, or acquaintance. 6
1. Humphrey, J. A. & White, J. A. (2000). Women's vulnerability to sexual assault from adolescence to adulthood. Journal of Adolescent Health, 27(6), 419-424.
2. Fisher, Bonnie S.; Cullen, Francis T.; and Turner, Michael G. The Sexual Victimization of College Women. U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. December 2000.
3. Fisher, Bonnie S.; Cullen, Francis T.; and Turner, Michael G. The Sexual Victimization of College Women. U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. December 2000.
4. Michigan Resource Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, "Male Survivors of Sexual Violence" accessed 2/3/05 at http://www.mcadsv.org/mrcdsv/resource/stats/Male Survivors.pdf
5. Fisher, Bonnie s.; Cullen, Francis T.; and Turner, Michael G. The Sexual Victimization of College Women. U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. December 2000.
6. Fisher, Bonnie s.; Cullen, Francis T.; and Turner, Michael G. The Sexual Victimization of College Women. U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. December 2000.
What is sexual assault?
In New Jersey, sexual assault includes any form of unwanted or involuntary touching or penetration of intimate body parts, by the same or opposite sex. This can include being forced to touch someone else.
"Unwanted or involuntary" means sexual contact without the consent of the victim, including the use of threats, intimidation, coercion, or physical force. It also includes victims who are unable to give consent, because of their age or because they are physically helpless, mentally incapacitated, or intoxicated.
Sexual offenders are often someone known to the victim, such as a friend, acquaintance, date, spouse, or family member. The terms "date rape" or "acquaintance rape" are often used to describe this association, but this does not imply a less serious form of sexual assault.
What is consent?
Consent is an agreement that 2 people must make if they want to have sex. The issue of consent can be a complicated and ambiguous area that needs to be addressed with clear, open, and honest communication. Keep these points in mind if you are not sure consent has been established:
Both partners need to be fully conscious and aware.
The use of alcohol or other substances can interfere with someone's ability to make clear decisions about the level of intimacy they are comfortable with. The more intoxicated a person is, the less they are able to give conscious consent.
Both partners are equally free to act.
The decision to be sexually intimate must be without coercion. Both partners must have the option to choose to be intimate or not. Both partners should be free to change "yes" to "no" at any time. Factors such as body size, previous victimization, threats to "out" someone, and other fears can prevent an individual from freely consenting.
Both partners clearly communicate their willingness and permission.
Willingness and permission must be communicated clearly and unambiguously. Just because a person fails to resist sexual advances does not mean that she or he is willing. Consent is not the absence of the word "no."
Both partners are positive and sincere in their desires.
It is important to be honest in communicating feelings about consent. If one person states her or his desires, the other person can make informed decisions about the encounter.
(Adapted from Berkowitz, Alan. "Guidelines for Consent in Intimate Relationships," Campus Safety & Student Development, Vol. 3, No. 4, March/April 2002.)
Who can be a perpetrator of sexual assault?
Men or women may be the perpetrators of sexual assault; however, men are more likely to commit sexual assault. The perpetrator may be a stranger, an acquaintance, a lover, a partner, or a date. Most of the time the perpetrator of the assault is someone the victim knows, either a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, other relative, or acquaintance.
Who can be a victim of sexual assault?
Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Although it is more common for women to be victims, approximately 1 out of 10 men have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lifetime.
What should I do if I am sexually assaulted?
Preventing a possible pregnancy and collecting physical evidence must occur within 72 hours of the assault.
If the incident occurred in the last 24 to 72 hours:
- Get to a safe place.
- Call a friend, a family member, or someone else you trust and ask her or him to stay with you.
- Get immediate medical attention for possible injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Even if you think that you do not have any physical injuries, you should still have a medical examination and discuss the possibility of sexually transmitted infections with a medical provider. If you are female, you can prevent pregnancy by taking emergency contraceptive pills within 72 hours of the assault. See also Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
- If you think you were drugged or consumed a sedative-like substance, ask the medical provider to take a urine sample. Date rape drugs like GHB and Rohypnol are more likely to be detected in urine than in blood. If you still have remnants of the drink, save them for analysis.
- If you want to report the crime, notify the Campus Police immediately 911 or 609-771-2167, available 24 hours. Reporting the crime can help you regain a sense of personal power and control. It can also help to ensure the safety of other potential victims.See also Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
- Preserve all physical evidence. Do not bathe, shower, douche, eat, drink, smoke, or urinate, if possible. Save all of the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. Place each item of clothing in a separate paper bag. Do not use plastic bags. Do not disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred. Evidence can be collected at an emergency room and you can decide later whether or not you want to press criminal charges.
- Write down as much as you can remember about the circumstances of the assault, including a description of the assailant, her or his identity if you know it, and the use of threats or force.
- Contact your local rape crises program for support, information, and to talk to someone who understands the trauma of rape and knows how to help. Call Womanspace at 609-394-9000 or 800-572-SAFE. See also People you can call, people who will listen and Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
If the incident occurred recently or long ago, remember that it is never too late to get help:
- Talk to a counselor to work through the emotional and physical impacts of the assault and to get support. See People you can call, people who will listen
(Adapted from RAINN, "If you are raped.")
What happens during the medical exam?
Even if you have no apparent injuries after the assault, it is still a good idea to seek medical care. Going to the hospital, even though it might be difficult, is an important way for you to start taking care of yourself. You may come to Health Services or you may go to any hospital you choose. If you need to be transferred from Health Services to another emergency care site, EMS can transport you.
At the hospital, you will be asked questions about your general health. If you are female, you will be asked about your menstrual history and your use of contraception. You will also be asked specific questions about the assault. It may be difficult to recall some of the details, and it may be emotionally painful to talk about what happened. Medical providers ask specific questions to find out what to look for when they examine you. The information you give helps them conduct a thorough physical evaluation.
Then you will have a general physical exam and if you are female, a pelvic exam. The clinician will check for external and internal injuries and test for any sexually transmitted infections. You may be given antibiotics to prevent infection. For females, a pregnancy test will be done and you will be given emergency contraceptive pills to prevent unintended pregnancy.
The medical providers will, with your permission, collect physical evidence to be used if you decide to prosecute. Collecting this physical evidence is called a "rape kit." This cannot be done at Health Services, but must be done at an emergency room or hospital. Depending on the types of sexual contact that occurred, the search for physical evidence may include taking samples from the vagina, mouth, or rectum to test for sperm cells and semen. Other evidence may be obtained from fingernail scrapings, foreign matter on your body, and the clothes you were wearing at the time of the assault.
All exam findings are completely confidential and can only be released with your written consent. If you have visible injuries, you may be asked to have photographs taken. Photographing injuries is important because by the time your assailant is prosecuted, the injuries may have healed.
Going to the hospital does not mean that you have to make a report to the police. That is your choice. The hospital staff will probably ask you to come back for a follow-up checkup. Or, you follow up with a medical provider of your choice. A counselor will be available to talk with you. Additional ongoing counseling will be available to you through the support resources of your choice.
What are common reactions of survivors?
It is normal for survivors to experience a range of feelings after a sexual assault, and all survivors will react to the incident in their own way. One survivor may feel intense anger and even have feelings of revenge, while another may feel numb. Below are some of the common types of reactions survivors might have:
Psychological:
- Disbelief, numbness, or shock
- Shame, guilt, or self-blame
- Anxiety, depression, or anger
- Confusion or helplessness
- Fear or lack of safety
- Difficulty concentrating
Physical:
- Appetite changes
- Sleeping pattern changes
- Aches and pains in the body
As a friend, you may notice:
- Moodiness
- Acting secretively
- Isolating her/himself
- Missing classes or appointments
- Using alcohol or drugs as a way to
cope
What can be done to minimize the risk of sexual assault?
- Look out for friends. Share your class and social schedule with them, and be sure your family has their contact information.
- Stay in groups. Go to parties together, stay together, and leave together. Don't be alone with someone you don't know or trust.
- Don't leave your drink unattended or accept a drink from someone you don't know. Protect your drinks from being spiked with a predatory or "date rape" drug.
- Know where emergency phones are located, which campus paths are best lit, and where people hang out. Call Campus Police Services for an escort at night and avoid shortcuts.
- If drinking might have impaired your judgment (or your partner's), say "No" for now; you can always reconsider tomorrow.
- Know your sexual desires and limits.
- Communicate your limits firmly and directly. If you want to stop, say "Stop," and say it like you mean it. Be clear and be firm, in body language as well as words.
- If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, trust your feelings and act on them.
- If you are afraid to say "No," say you have to go to the bathroom. Then leave and call for help. Your safety is most important!
Survivors of sexual assault have many RIGHTS
- To be treated with respect and dignity.
- To be assured of confidentiality.
- To be allowed freedom of choice regarding decisions that affect your life.
- To be made aware of all the medical, legal, and social service options available.
- To be made aware of and to receive medical and counseling services whether or not the crime is reported to the police.
- To be safe from further harm.
- To be treated without prejudice regarding race, class, life-style, ability, or age.
Campus Sexual Assault Victim's Bill of Rights
People you can call, people who will listen
Womanspace
609-394-9000 or 800-572-SAFE, 24-hour hotline
New Jersey Statewide Hotline
800-601-7200, 24-hour hotline
Operated by NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault
National Sexual Assault Hotline
#800-656-HOPE, 24-hour hotline
Operated by RAINN-Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
Office of Anti-Violence Initiatives
609-771-2272
Eickhoff Hall, Room 159
Psychological Counseling Services
609-771-2247
Eickhoff Hall, Room 107
Psychological & Counseling Services Flow chart of steps taken with sexual assault victim/survivors
TCNJ Health Services
609-771-2889
Eickhoff Hall, Room 107
(STD testing, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception) Health Services Flow chart of steps taken with sexual assault victim/survivors
Campus Police Services
911 or 609-771-2167, available 24 hours
Administrative Services Building
(Confidential reporting, investigating and/or taking legal action)
Campus Police Flow chart of steps taken with sexual assault victim/survivors
Office of Residential & Community Development
RD, ARD, CC, or CA, available 24 hours
(Information about resources)
Residential & Community Development Flow chart of steps taken with sexual assault victim/survivors
Hi-Tops
609-683-5155
(Physical exam, STD prophylaxia, emergency contraception, and free sexual assault support group)More information available at HiTOPS.org ~ Health Clinic
For more information on resources available through the OAVI or to arrange a meeting, please contact Jackie at deitch@tcnj.edu.
