SEXUAL ASSAULT FACTS: Experiencing sexual violence transforms ACT’S SERVICES people and changes their lives, forever. Abuse Counseling and A sexual assault occurs every 1.8 minutes in Treatment, Inc. provides the the U.S. Survivors in Florida range from 2 months to 94 following services to victims years old of domestic violence and 75% of sexual assault survivors know their their children, as well as assailant, at least by sight survivors of sexual assault and their families. Approx. 1 in 4 women will be raped in their lifetime All services are provided free of charge: 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys are sexually 24-hour hotline assaulted by the age of 13 Medical and forensic exams Nearly one third of all rape survivors A Comprehensive develop Rape-Related Post Traumatic Stress Documentation of injuries Disorder Follow-up medical care Rape Crisis Center Immediate crisis intervention and telephone Cooperation DOES NOT mean consent. counseling Rape is NEVER the victim’s fault. Help with filing of victim’s compensation forms Aid in preparing for court and courtroom testi- mony with ARNP in regard to evidence finding Safety awareness plan Emergency shelter A Guide for Survivors of Information and referrals Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. will not discriminate against One-on-one confidential counseling any individual because of race, color or creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preference, Sexual Assault Male, female, and senior support groups disability, age (40-over), pregnancy, marital status, military status, Advocacy disability, genetic information or status with regard to public assistance. Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. (ACT) Rape support groups The Center will provide accommodations, including American Sign Language interpreters, assistive listening devices, alternative formats of P.O. Box 60401 Support groups for families of sexual assault printed materials and real-time captioning upon request for persons who survivors are deaf, hard of hearing or are living with disabilities. To ensure Ft. Myers, FL 33906 Children’s program accommodations, please make your request at least 7 days prior to the event. Information and assistance in obtaining 24-Hour Hotline/TDD: 239.939.3112 injunctions for protection Admin./Appointments: 239.939.2553 ACT’s Domestic & Sexual Violence Unit: Support through the judicial system and accompaniment to court 239.533.1080 ACT is funded in part by: Fax: 239.939.4741 24-hour on-call counseling and support at all local United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades hospital emergency rooms counties • Lee County, Florida Coalition Against Email: [email protected] Website: actabuse.com Community education programs Domestic Violence • Florida Council Against Sexual Violence • Florida Department of Health • Office of the Florida Hotlines: 800.500.1119 or 888.956.7273 Programs provided on a sliding fee scale: Attorney General • City of Fort Myers • City of Cape National Hotline: 800.799.SAFE • Anger management group • Batterer’s intervention programs Coral • The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation • Fundraising and Private Donations This project was supported by AGREEMENT No. K03419 awarded by State of Florida, Office of the Attorney General Image courtesy of David C. Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net SEXUAL ASSSAULT IS A CRIME OF RAPE TRAUMA SYNDROME MEDICAL ATTENTION VIOLENCE, NOT SEX. SEXUAL ASSAULT Rape survivors usually feel a sort of emotional numbing or Immediately following the assault you will probably be IS ABOUT POWER AND CONTROL, SEX shock immediately following the assault. It is normal to in a state of intense psychological distress, and you may IS THE WEAPON. have the tendency to deny what happened. This is called forget the necessity of immediate medical Rape Trauma Syndrome. attention. It is a violent, unexpected, traumatic, and sometimes Rape Trauma Syndrome is a term that covers the ACT offers 24-hour, 7 days a week collaborative service life threatening experience. Sexual assaults are wide range of emotions and reactions that are of forensically trained nurse practitioners, law directed against women, men, and children. common to rape survivors. Some of these enforcement (when requested), prosecutors, crisis reactions include fear, grief, disbelief, guilt, intervention specialists and victim advocates to Assaults include any type of unwanted sexual shame, anger, sadness, betrayal, and rage. provide first response care to survivors of sexual activity expressed by one person to another, either Rape is a terrifying assault. It is normal for you to feel fear, assault. In an effort to give back dignity and control to overtly or in a subtle manner. If you have anxiety, distrust, anger or any other emotion you may rape survivors, this program is located in a confidential experienced this type of assault, it is important for have. It is also normal to experience sleeplessness, lack of and caring setting tailored specifically to the survivor’s you to remember that… appetite, and/or increase in appetite, and to have less needs. Cooperation is not consent! interest in your normal routine and activities. You will need a medical examination to assess any Flashback and nightmares are also common symptoms of physical injuries as well as testing for possible Perpetrators sometimes use threats of physical Rape Trauma Syndrome. You may be blaming pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. You will harm, physical force or the use of a weapon. The yourself for what happened. IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT. also be offered HIV testing. A survivor can shower and fear of harm or even death may have prompted Regardless of what a victim does or doesn’t do, no one receive personal care items, as well as clothing, after the you to cooperate with the assailant. This does not deserves to be raped. medical exam. If there are physical injuries, you will be in any way mean that you consented to the as- referred to a local hospital for proper care for those sault. You are not alone injuries. Since rape can feel like… and can often be a life- ACT is certified by the State of Florida as a provider of In addition to medical attention, there is another im- services to sexual assault survivors. Our sensitive, threatening situation, whatever measure you took portant consideration to make. It is that of… professional staff has provided services, support, to survive was EXACTLY the right thing to do. information and referrals to rape survivors for over 27 REPORTING THE CRIME This makes you… years. The services are strictly confidential. THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE The role of law enforcement is multi-faceted. One of the A Survivor Our advocates will lead you through the legal process expectations of officers is to solve reported crime by should you decide to prosecute. apprehending and arresting the suspect. Rape is a As a survivor of sexual assault, you will most likely Apologies, crime. have many questions and concerns. There are Our counselors are there to listen and you can choose a excuses, If you choose to report the rape, law enforcement will emotional and psychological reactions to the trauma one-on-one counseling session or join a support group for encourage you to have an evidentiary exam. This is the you have experienced. You may want clarification additionalamends support. You are not alone. Often significantTension others and family members do not know howbuilds to respond collection of any evidence available for use by the on medical and legal questions. This brochure will Prosecution should the rape proceed to trial. The exam provide some of that information for you. to what’s happened to you. In order to help them understand what you are going through, our counselors includes the collection of clothing, semen, blood, and Following the assault, you may find many thoughts will meet them as well if you so desire. hair which will be packaged and labeled according to and feelings that will be confusing and disturbing. strict evidence procedures. We care about you That’s normal. An evidentiary exam must be done within 72 hours of ACT provides confidential services to survivors of date/ the assault in order to be introduced as evidence. While acquaintance rape, stranger rape, attempted rape, gang Abuse takes place you may be encouraged by victim advocates, law rape, marital rape, same sex rape, and males who have enforcement, and medical personnel to have an been raped. evidentiary exam, the decision to do so is entirely up to you. Need help? Call our 24-hour hotline: 239.939.3112 ACT is there for you and will remain with you at your request. .