Sexual Assault Module
Learning Module Volunteer Training Level: 1 History of Anti-Sexual Violence Movements
1960s: violence against women became a salient topic of interest within the second-wave feminist movement. Through the anti-rape movement, an offshoot of the women’s movement, the public was made aware of sexual violence as an important social problem deserving attention.
1970: feminists began engaging in “consciousness-raising” groups, which involved sharing personal experiences women have had with sexual violence with the wider public.
1971: the New York Radical Feminists held the first Speak-Out, which approximately 300 people attended at St. Clements's Episcopal Church in New York, and this speak-out was followed by a conference about rape on April 12,1971.
1972: marks an important milestone in the anti-rape movement due to the formation of two influential organizations: Bay Area Women Against Rape (BAWAR) in Berkley, California and the Washington D.C. Rape Crisis Center.
1972: one woman in Toledo started helping rape victims out of her home and the local law enforcement recognized her effectiveness and relayed victims to her care. From this individual, grassroots effort grew the YWCA H.O.P.E. center, a vibrant and still-active rape crisis center.
History of Anti-Sexual Violence Movements
Also in 1972: the Washington D.C. Rape Crisis Center formed and began running the first telephone crisis line for victims of sexual violence to call, which has served as an example for future rape crisis centers. This center was the first rape crisis center within the United States.
1973: the Center also had started distributing a newsletter nationally, helping to support and legitimize the anti-rape movement then gaining speed. The Washington D.C. Rape Crisis Center along with BAWAR represented two “…national networking hubs…” for the anti-rape movement.
1975: Susan Brownmiller wrote one of the most influential pieces of literature about sexual assault of this period: Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape. In this book, Brownmiller made a direct connection between women’s fear and sexual aggression, describing that sexual violence is used by men to intimidate women and keep them fearful.
Mid-1970s: The National Organization for Women (NOW) started working on legislative reform at the national level. This organization was the first to initiate legislative reform, helping to lead all 50 states to change their laws in various ways. These reformed laws served to encourage those who have been raped to report these crimes and improved methods for prosecuting perpetrators of this violence.
History of Anti-Sexual Violence Movements
Specifically, by 1980 most states in the US had changed their laws to Include that it is illegal for a spouse to rape her or his spouse Include “Rape Shield Laws,” which in part serve to limit using a victim’s sexual history against them in court Make it unnecessary to have a witness of the rape Change the age constituting statutory rape from 10 to 12 years of age Alter the definition constituting consent to demonstrate “…the difference between consent and submission”
1975: the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Rape at the National Institute of Mental Health was formed. The creation of this organization led to a wide expansion of research concerning sexual assault and rape.
1979: there are more than 1,000 rape crisis centers across the US, and these centers had started to shift away from this feminist ideology to a more liberal approach seeking reform and connections with other agencies that could aid survivors.
Though the criminalization of marital rape in the United States started in the mid-1970s it wasn’t until 1993 that marital rape became a crime in all 50 states.
Statistics
Approximately every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted.
1 out of every 3 American women will be sexually abused during their lifetime.
Approximately 2/3 of rapes were committed by someone known to the victim.
15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 12.
More than 50% of all rape/sexual assault incidents reported by victims occurred within 1 mile of their home or at their home.
It is estimated that 70% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police.
Sexual Violence can happen to…
Males and Females People of any age People of any socioeconomic status People of any ethnic group People of any education level People of any religion/faith People of any sexual orientation
ANYONE
Vulnerable Populations
Transgendered individuals are at Higher Risk for Sexual Violence: 21% of TGQN (transgender, genderqueer, nonconforming) college students have been sexually assaulted, compared to 18% of cis- gendered females, and 4% of cis-gendered males. American Indians are twice as likely to experience a rape/sexual assault compared to all races. An estimated 80,600 inmates each year experience sexual violence while in prison or jail Adults and adolescents with disabilities are especially vulnerable to sexual violence. College freshman-especially young women are at risk to be targeted “college students are the most vulnerable to rape during the first few weeks of the freshman and sophomore years,” a 2003 report from the Department of Justice found.
Sexual Violence…
Occurs when a person is forced, threatened, or intimidated into any type of sexual contact against his or her will. Can also be accomplished through incapacitation of the victim. Is perpetrated by family members, caretakers, intimate partners, friends, acquaintances, or strangers.
Definitions and Dynamics
Rape is forced sexual intercourse. (Forced oral sex, anal sex and inanimate object penetration are forms of rape although for legal purposes they have separate statutes.)
Acquaintance Rape is rape that involves coercive sexual activities that occur against a person's will by means of force, violence, duress, or fear of bodily injury. These sexual activities are imposed upon them by someone they know.
Child Sexual Abuse is the sexual and emotional violation of a child by an adult or older adolescent, through verbal, visual or physical acts, thereby abusing the relationship of power and authority adults have over children. These acts often include threats, force, intimidation, or manipulation,
Incest is the type of sexual contact that occurs between persons who are so closely related that their marriage is illegal (e.g., parents and children, uncles/aunts and nieces/nephews, etc.).
Definitions and Dynamics
Sexual Harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects an individual's work or school performance.
Intimate Partner Rape is rape that includes sexual acts committed without a person's consent and/or against a person's will when the perpetrator is the individual's current partner (married or not), previous partner, or co-habitator.
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault involves the administration of an anesthesia-type drug to render a victim physically incapacitated or helpless and thus incapable of giving or withholding consent. Some drugs used to facilitate sexual assault are: GHB (Gamma Hydroxbutyrate Acid), Rohypnol, Ketamine, Ecstasy, Clonazepam, Scopalamine
Virginia laws recognizes that if someone is drunk and/or drugged, she or he is unable to give consent, and this means that, if a person has sex with someone who is passed out or otherwise incapable of giving consent, it is considered sexual assault.
Sexual Violence affects people on multiple levels Effects of SV: On Women
Females who have been sexually abused may encounter a wide range of problems: 3 times more likely to suffer from depression 4 times more likely to exhibit suicidal ideas and behaviors 6 times more likely to suffer from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol 26 times more likely to abuse drugs
Other problems may include: Anxiety Low self-esteem Dissociation Flashbacks Self-destructive behavior, including "cutting“, promiscuity Impaired relations with others, social isolation Difficulty with sex and sexuality, including sexual compulsion
Effects of SV: On Men Males who have been sexually abused (by males or females) also manifest many of the same problems as females. However, research has indicated that young men can often face additional difficulties.
A feeling of a loss of "manhood"
Attempts to prove masculinity by having multiple sexual partners, sexually victimizing others, or engaging in high-risk or violent behavior
Confusion about sexual orientation
Homophobia, or an irrational fear or intolerance of homosexuality
Anger over loss of control over their body, and any physical responses they may have had to the assault.
Facts
FACT: Anytime someone is forced to have sex against their will, they have been sexually assaulted, regardless of whether or not they fought back or said "no". There are many reasons why a victim might not physically fight their attacker including shock, fear, threats or the size and strength of the attacker.
FACT: Survivors exhibit a spectrum of emotional responses to assault: calm, hysteria, laughter, anger, apathy, shock. Each survivor copes with the trauma of the assault in a different way.
Male Sexual Assault Stereotypes and Myths
Various stereotypes and myths impact a male victim’s ability to face their sexual assault: Men can’t be raped Men should be able to fight off attacks Males shouldn't express emotion Males enjoy all sex, so they must have enjoyed the assault Male survivors are more likely to become sexual predator
Male Sexual Assault Stereotypes and Myths
Stereotypes and myths can then lead to certain outcomes for male victims of sexual assault.
Dramatic loss of self-esteem and belief in their masculinity Exaggerated self-blame Feelings of shame, guilt, anger Feelings of powerlessness, withdrawal, and embarrassment Fears that they won't be able to protect and support their families Symptoms of Rape Trauma Syndrome Sexual difficulties
Physical Effects of Drug Facilitated Rape
Individuals may react differently to sedating substances depending on The dosage Their metabolism Sensitivity to the substance The presence of alcohol and/or other drugs.
There are also several signs that an individual may have been given a sedating substance Victim thinks she/he may have been assaulted, but is not sure (i.e. unexplained soreness or injuries; woke up in a different place and can’t remember how she/he got there; etc.). Victim’s recollection of assault is patchy and confused and may be unable to account for periods of time. Victim remembers the assault, but was unable to move or speak. Victim felt her/his intoxication level did not correlate with the amount of alcohol consumed. Victim may experience life-threatening side effects.
VICTIM BLAMING
Victim blaming occurs when the victim of a crime or any wrongful act is held entirely or partially responsible for the harm that befell them. The study of victimology seeks to mitigate the perception of victims as responsible.
Victim blaming can appear in the form of negative social reactions from legal, medical, and mental health professionals, as well as from the media and immediate family members and other acquaintances. VICTIM BLAMING
Why people do it: One reason people blame a victim is to distance themselves from an unpleasant occurrence and thereby confirm their own invulnerability to the risk. By labeling or accusing the victim, others can see the victim as different from themselves. People reassure themselves by thinking, "Because I am not like her/him, because I do not do that, this would never happen to me." We need to help people understand that this is not a helpful reaction.
Why Is It Dangerous? Victim-blaming attitudes marginalize the victim/survivor and make it harder to come forward and report the abuse. If the survivor knows that you or society blames her/him for the abuse, s/he will not feel safe or comfortable coming forward and talking to you.
Victim-blaming attitudes also reinforce what the abuser has been saying all along; that it is the victim’s fault this is happening. It is NOT the victim’s fault or responsibility to fix the situation; it is the abuser’s choice. By engaging in victim- blaming attitudes, society allows the abuser to perpetrate relationship abuse or sexual assault while avoiding accountability for his/her actions.
Victim Blaming & Rape Culture
Blaming the victim (“She asked for it!”) Trivializing sexual assault (“Boys will be boys!”) Tolerance of sexual harassment Publicly scrutinizing a victim’s dress, mental state, motives, and history- hinting the victim “deserved it” for not being more precautious. Defining “manhood” as dominant and sexually aggressive Defining “womanhood” as submissive and sexually passive Pressure on men to “score” Pressure on women to not appear “cold” Assuming only promiscuous women get raped Assuming that men don’t get raped or that only “weak” men get raped Refusing to take rape accusations seriously Teaching women to avoid getting raped rather than abusers NOT to rape
Victim Blaming FACT: Regardless of their actions, dress, orientation, gender, race, religion, status NO ONE deserves to be physically, verbally or sexually abused. Sexual assault is NEVER the victim’s fault. Sexual assault is a violent attack on an individual, not a spontaneous crime of sexual passion. For a victim, it is a humiliating and degrading act. No one “asks” for or deserves this type of attack.
What To Do If You Or Someone You Know Has Been Sexually Assaulted
Remember that it's not your fault, and let others know it is not their fault
Find a safe environment away from the person who violated you. You can ask a trusted friend to stay with you.
Get medical attention immediately. Even with no physical injuries, it is important to determine the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STI's) and pregnancy. You can make a restricted report- you do not have to take any action against the assaulter if you do not want too. You do not have to tell anyone you don’t want to tell. Your medical examine and rape kit is FREE under VAWA legislation
Preserve evidence - Don't bathe, shower, douche, change clothes, brush teeth, chew gum, or eat/drink anything. Write down all the details you can recall about the incident.
Ask the hospital to conduct a rape kit exam (PERK). This will help to preserve evidence. You DO NOT have to report if you do a rape kit- the kit can be held for up to ten years for evidence if you decide to report at a later date.
What To Do If You Or Someone You Know Has Been Sexually Assaulted
If you suspect you may have been drugged, ask that a urine sample be collected. The sample will need to be analyzed by a forensic lab.
If you want to report the assault, notify the police. Many law enforcement agencies participate in Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs), which provide a survivor-centered, coordinated response to sexual assault. SARTs incorporate medical personnel, law enforcement, and sexual assault service providers in your area.
Recognize that healing from sexual violence takes time. Give yourself the time you need.
Know that it's never too late to call. Even if the assault happened years ago, many survivors do not realize they need help until months or years later.
Concerns about reporting? The perpetrator stopped before finishing the assault. Attempted rape is a serious crime and can be reported. I know the person who hurt me. About 2/3 of victims know the perpetrator. It can be unnerving to be violated by someone you know. Regardless of who sexual assault is against the law and you are under no obligation to protect them. I’ve been intimate with the perpetrator in the past, or am currently in a relationship with the perpetrator. Sexual assault can occur within a relationship. Giving someone consent in the past does not give them consent for any act in the future. If you did not consent, they acted against the law—and you can report it. I have no physical injuries, and I’m worried there’s not enough proof. Most sexual assaults do not result in external physical injuries. It's important to receive medical attention to check for internal injuries. You can also choose to have a sexual assault forensic exam to check for DNA evidence that may not be visible on the surface. I’m worried law enforcement won’t believe me. There has been great investment in police training on this topic. If you do encounter someone who isn't taking your case seriously, ask for their supervisor and let your local sexual assault service provider know. I don’t want to get in trouble. Sometimes minors are afraid of being disciplined, either by the law or by their parents, because they were doing something they shouldn’t have when the abuse occurred. For example, a teen might have been consuming alcohol, or a child might have been breaking a house rule. It’s important to remember that sexual assault is a crime—no matter the circumstances. Nothing you did caused this to happen.
How to Respond to a Survivor
The reaction of the first people that a survivor/victim chooses to tell about the assault/rape can have a profound impact on whether they choose to move forward and get help. You can have a positive impact just in choosing your words carefully.
“I’m sorry this happened to you” Acknowledge their experience and how it has affected their life
“It’s not your fault” Remember, survivors may blame themselves, especially if they knew the perpetrator.
“I believe you” It can be extremely difficult for a survivor/victim to come forward with their story, for fear of being blamed or not believed. The best thing you can do is simply let them know that you believe them.
Remember: If a survivor opens up to you, it means they trust you. Reassure that you won’t judge them and respect them by respecting their privacy.
What Can Aid A Survivor’s Recovery? A positive experience with the first person who responds.
A system that responds to the survivor’s needs in a positive manner.
Trauma Informed Care
Sexual violence is often a traumatic event. Experiencing it can affect the way the brain and body work together:
To survive, the brain and body have to process things a little differently in crisis/survival mode. It’s a survival technique. When a survivor is sharing their experience with you the timeline might not be linear or small details might change. Do not think that is because the survivor is lying. In most circumstances the brain fills in the gaps where it can and their story might not always make sense.
The best thing we can do it LISTEN and BELIEVE what survivors are sharing with us.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is a strength based approach in which you can work with survivors to assist them in normalization of responses to their assault. Many survivors ask “Why didn’t I fight back?” or “Why didn’t I run?” Help survivors accept they are not to blame by understanding the physiological responses of the body. When we go into survivor mode- decisions made during an assault to run or fight sometimes don’t come and instead we freeze. Understand there is no wrong way to react to trauma.
Trauma impacts the WHOLE person. Steps you can take to Prevent Assault
If you see something, SAY something The key to keeping your friends and others safe is learning how to intervene in a way that fits the situation and your comfort level. Having this knowledge on hand can give you the confidence to step in when something isn’t right. Stepping in can make all the difference.
Create a distraction. Do what you can to interrupt the situation. A distraction can give the person at risk a chance to get to a safe place.
Cut off the conversation with a diversion like, “Let’s get pizza, I’m starving,” or “This party is lame. Let’s try somewhere else.”
Bring out fresh food or drinks and offer them to everyone at the party, including the people you are concerned about.
Engage the person you are concerned about. Pretend you know/or are old friends them to get them away from a dangerous situation.
Steps you can take to Prevent Assault
Ask the person you are concerned about directly- “Do you need help?”
Ask questions like “Who did you come here with?” or “Would you like me to stay with you?”
Sometimes the safest way to intervene is to refer to a neutral party (a bouncer, a security guard, a bartender or employee)
Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you are concerned for someone else’s safety
It can be intimidating to approach a situation alone. Ask someone to come with you to approach the person at risk
Enlist the friend of the person you’re concerned about. “Your friend looks like they’ve had a lot to drink. Can you check on them?”
Whether or not you were able to change the outcome, by stepping in you are helping to change the way people think about their role in preventing sexual assault
Safety Planning
Be aware of your surroundings — who’s out there and what’s going on. Walk in well lit areas outdoors. Walk with confidence. The more confident you look, the stronger you appear.
Communicate your limits clearly. If someone starts to offend you or cross a line that you have set for yourself, tell them firmly and early. Polite approaches may be misunderstood or ignored. If the person does not respect your wishes, remove yourself from the situation immediately. Miscommunication can be explained later. Do not give someone the chance to violate your wishes or boundaries. This can often contribute to the guilt felt following unwanted sexual advances, but it does not make it your fault.
Be assertive — don’t let anyone violate your space. Often passivity can be interpreted as permission - it is not. Be direct and firm with someone who is sexually pressuring you. Tell an acquaintance or your partner what you want - or don't want - and stick with your decision. Regardless, there must always be active consent on both sides. Consent to one thing does not imply another.
Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave.
Sex without Consent is Rape
Changing how we think about sex and society starts with consent. Together we can stop rape by ensuring everyone knows when they have sexual consent – and when they do not. Take a minute to watch Tea Consent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGoWLWS4-kU
Copyright ©2015 Emmeline May and Blue Seat Studios
References
www.nsvrc.org Rape Abuse Incest National Network RAINN 2016 http://voice.gatech.edu Texas Association Against Sexual Assault Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services (CONNSACS) American Academy of Pediatrics, 107 Care of the Adolescent Sexual Assault Victim 1476-79 (2001) www.womenslaw.org National Sex Offender Public Website Women Organized Against Rape