Sexual Assault
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Sexual
Assault by an "acquaintance" accounts for
over half of all sexual assaults.
It isn't "passion" - rape is violence, even
if you know him. Feeling betrayed and finding yourself
in the position of having to face your assailant again
in work, school or social settings can make "date
rape" harder to deal with than an attack by a stranger.
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Common Fears |
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Fear
it will happen again. |
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Fear
of seeing the attacker again.
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Fear
of harassment from the attacker's friends and family.
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Fear that others won't
believe you or understand. |
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Fear that returning to
normal routine, especially if the attacker is part of
it all. |
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Fear of all other men. |
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The Rapist |
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Looks for someone
vulnerable to control and overpower. |
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Tends to go overboard
with traditional male roles.
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Has less concern
for others - is a con artist.
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Blames others for "forcing"
him into angry or jealous outbursts. |
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Pushes your limits. Won't take "No"
for an answer. |
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Always has to be in control-thinks
women are helpless and must have his guidance. |
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Wants you to depend on him. |
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Gets mad if anything interferes with
your relationship. |
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Is easily jealous over nothing, and
extremely possessive. |
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Wants you to accept his behavior as
normal, even though it makes you uncomfortable. |
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Prevention |
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Find out as much
as possible about new dates, especially blind dates
or someone you don't know well. |
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Date in groups
or "double date" the first few times with
a new date. |
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Set your limits in social situations.
Watch out for dates who won't respect those limits. |
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Speak up if he makes you feel uncomfortable
- mean what you say; remove his hands, and if he doesn't
listen, get away from him. Better rude than raped. |
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Be aware of your "decreased"
ability to react and his "relaxed" inhibitions
under the influence of alcohol or drugs. |
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Trust your instincts. A date
or acquaintance that genuinely cares about you won't make
you feel uncomfortable. |
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Talk about it. Make it clear, individually
and through organizations, that "date rape"
is not acceptable behavior. |
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Remember:
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Intrusion
The attacker increasingly violates his victim with unwanted
touches, very personal conversation or uncomfortable looks.
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Desensitization
The victim accepts the attacker's intrusions as "normal"
for him.
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Isolation
He gets her alone, and uses force.
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Sexual Assault Facts... |
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1.3 forcible rapes of adult women occur
every minute. |
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1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be
sexually abused by age 18 |
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FamilyTime provides counseling to victims
of sexual abuse and sexual assault. |
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82% of all sexual assault victims know
their perpetrators. |
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FamilyTime provides free advocacy at
a local hospital for victims of sexual assault |
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If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of
sexual assualt, childhood sexual abuse and/or molestation, please contact
FamilyTime at (281) 446-2615 for information on the services available to
victims of sexual violence.
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