Sexual
Assault
When
it happens
Sexual assault - it can happen to anyone, man or woman, at any age,
at any time. It may be hard to think of yourself as a victim of
sexual assault, but should it happen, you will want to know what
to do and what to expect.
Fortunately
there are many resources and services within the University and
the Charlottesville community that can help a sexual assault victim.
If you are that person, this pamphlet will begin to answer the many
questions you might have. If you are a friend, relative, or someone
who wants to be well-informed, it should provide you with information
that can help you be more sensitive to the victim's needs and concerns.
Medical
issues
Why do I need medical help if I'm not hurt?
You
may be in shock after a sexual assault and not be aware of any physical
injuries. Internal injuries may not be apparent. Sexual assault
may expose you to risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
Medical assistance will insure that you are tested and treated for
these conditions.
Should
I shower before going to the emergency room?
As uncomfortable as you may feel, don't wash yourself or your clothes.
Valuable evidence would be destroyed. Do not douche, wipe yourself
after urinating, comb your hair or put on make-up. Take an extra
change of clothes with you to the hospital to wear home. The clothing
you wore at the time of the rape will be kept.
I
don't want to report the assault. Why should I bother with evidence
collecting?
Collecting evidence gives you the option of pressing charges later.
Reporting the crime may be the last thing on your mind right now
but an avenue you may wish to pursue later. The physical evidence
improves the possibility of conviction. Evidence is lost with time.
Collecting evidence is best done within 12 to 18 hours after the
assault.
What
kind of evidence is collected, and how is it done?
A PERK (Physical Evidence Recovery Kit) is used to preserve evidence
in the proper way. Swabs will be taken from the vaginal and/or rectal
areas and from your mouth. Samples of hair from your head and pubic
area will be collected as well as material from under your fingernails.
Procedures will be explained to you, step by step.
What
about sexually transmitted diseases?
Tests for gonorrhea and syphilis are routinely done. Medication
will be offered to you to protect against the risk of these diseases.
It is very important to have medical follow-up through Student Health
or another health care provider in order to have these tests repeated.
I'm
afraid I may be pregnant as a result of the sexual assault. How
can I find out?
If you are at risk for pregnancy, options will be discussed with
you. You may choose medication to prevent possible pregnancy, or
you can have a pregnancy test done at the appropriate time interval.
How
can I pay for the hospital exam and other related expenses?
If you are a full-time student, your Student Health coverage will
pay for all emergency room visits and follow-up visits to Student
Health. The State of Virginia also has some funds to help pay these
expenses if you are not a student. As long as your case is reported
and you do prosecute, you can apply for assistance through the Commonwealth's
Attorney's Office.
Emotional
issues
Do I have to talk about the assault?
You will most likely find that you have changing emotional needs
in the hours to months following the incident. At first you may
feel numbness and shock; eventually strong feelings will surface,
and you will have to deal with them in order for you to work through
the experience.
Do
I have to talk with a professional?
What is most important is that you find someone you feel you can
trust and who respects all your needs. Family and friends often
have their own personal reactions to the sexual assault; as much
as they want to help you, they may not know how. Trained individuals,
on the other hand, can be both understanding and objective. They
can accept that you are likely to experience different emotional
stages over time.
What
are these "emotional stages"?
Following a sexual assault, you will probably wish to regain control
in order to feel that your life is "back to normal." At
the same time, you may feel very afraid of another assault and worry
about your personal safety.
Usually
these feelings subside, and you may think you have put it all behind
you. Then months to years later, upsetting memories return, arousing
such feelings as depression, guilt, loss and hopelessness. Your
anger and wishes for revenge may surface.
You
may be most aware that you are unable to relate intimately or feel
that you can trust others. Hopefully, as you work through the meanings
of the assault, a new understanding of yourself and others will
emerge. This can bring about new hopefulness and energy in your
life.
Will
I ever have a healthy sex life again?
Yes, but at first you may not feel comfortable with any sexual activity.
You may not trust your partner or feel personally dirty or "spoiled."
Your sexual desires may diminish. You will find that, as the impact
of the sexual assault is worked through, your sexual feelings and
functioning will be less strained.
If
I have been a victim of acquaintance or "date rape," will
my experience be different from what you described?
You may have more problems with feeling guilty and blaming yourself,
thinking that "It's all my fault" or "I asked for
it." Others around you may also imply that you were "bad,"
making it hard for you to trust your own judgment in the future.
Feeling betrayed by someone you know -- if only casually -- may
prompt you to distrust other relationships. Again, this is a good
reason for seeking help to deal with your feelings.
Legal
issues
Do I have to report a sexual assault?
All crimes are worth reporting, including sexual assault; however,
the final decision is yours. Even if you choose to report a sexual
assault, you do not have to press charges.
Where
do I report a sexual assault?
It's best to report it to the police (911) who will send a special
investigator to speak with you. You can also call the Rape Crisis
Hotline or the Commonwealth Attorney's Office. Trained personnel
in these offices are sensitive to the needs of sexual assault victims.
What
if I want to remain anonymous?
You can use a "third party report." You report the incident
to the Rape Crisis Hotline, and they will provide the information
to the police without identifying you. The information can be helpful
in tracking down an assailant.
Is
there a time limit for reporting a sexual assault?
No, there is no time limit for reporting or prosecuting for a sexual
assault; however, the sooner the report is made, the stronger the
case.
What
if I am not sure I want to press charges?
Usually the police will put you in contact with someone from the
Commonwealth Attorney's Office right after your report. He/she will
provide you with the information you need to decide whether you
want to press charges and, if so, what to expect.
What
happens if I choose to press charges?
Once the assailant is arrested, the case is filed with the criminal
court. The Commonwealth's Attorney is the state prosecutor who will,
in effect, be your attorney for the criminal charges. There is no
cost to you.
A few
weeks after the arrest, a preliminary hearing is held; you will
need to testify at this hearing. Several months later will be the
trial, at which time you will have to testify again, unless the
defendant pleads guilty.
At
any time during the prosecution you can withdraw your charges, for
whatever reason. Again, the decision is yours.
Will
they ask me about my prior sexual experience in court?
No. Under the provisions of Virginia's "Rape Shield Law"
your sexual history cannot be brought up in court. There are a few
exceptions to the law; the most common is when a victim has had
a previous intimate relationship with the accused.
Getting
help
The following can help you, or someone you know, in the event of
a sexual assault:
- Police: 911
- Rescue Squad: 911
- Rape Crime Hotline: 977-RAPE (977-7273)
- U.Va. Emergency Room: 924-2231
Student Health:
- Gynecology Clinic: 924-2773
- Mental Health: 924-5556
- General Medicine: 924-5362
Commonwealth's Attorney:
- Albemarle County: 977-2897
- Charlottesville: 971-3176
Back
to Common Ailments page
Maintained
by: studenthealth@virginia.edu
Last Modified:
Monday, 07-Nov-2005 10:29:17 EST
© 2002 by the Rector
and Visitors of the University of Virginia
|
|
