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Pediatric
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Course
Next Course Date
To Be Announced
Click Here for Course & Registration Information
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Adolescent / Adult Sexual Assault
Nurse Examiner Course
Next Course Date
To Be Announced
Click Here
for Course and Registration Information |
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What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault and abuse is any type of sexual
activity that you do not agree to, including:
 | Inappropriate touching |
| Vaginal, anal, or oral penetration
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| Sexual intercourse that you say no to
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| Date rape / non-stranger rape |
| Attempted rape |
| Child molestation |
Sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything
that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention. Examples
of this are voyeurism (when someone watches private sexual acts), exhibitionism
(when someone exposes him/herself in public), incest (sexual contact between
family members), and sexual harassment. It can happen in different situations,
by a stranger in an isolated place, on a date, or in the home by someone you
know.
Rape is a common form of sexual assault. It is
committed in many situations — on a date, by a friend or an acquaintance, or
when you think you are alone. Educate yourself on “date rape” drugs. They can be
slipped into a drink when a victim is not looking. Never leave your
drink unattended — no matter where you are. Try to always be aware of your
surroundings. Date rape drugs make a person unable to resist assault and can
cause memory loss so the victim doesn’t know what happened.
What do I do if I’ve been sexually assaulted?
Take steps right away if you’ve been sexually
assaulted.
| Get away from the attacker to a safe place as
fast as you can. Then call 911 or the police. |
| Call a friend or family member you trust. You
also can call a crisis center or a hotline to talk with a counselor. One
hotline is the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and shock are normal. It is important to get
counseling from a trusted professional. |
| Do not wash, comb, or clean any part of your
body. Do not change clothes if possible, so the sexual assault nurse examiner can collect
evidence using a sexual assault kit for fibers, hairs, saliva, semen, or
clothing that the attacker may have left behind. . Do not touch or change anything at the scene of the assault.
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| Go to your nearest hospital emergency room as
soon as possible. You need to be examined, treated for any injuries, and
screened for possible sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or pregnancy.
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| You or the hospital staff can call the Center
at (260) 423-2222. |
| Ask the hospital staff about possible support
groups you can attend right away. |
Where else can I go for help?
If you are sexually assaulted, it is not your
fault. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or support. Help is available. You can
call these organizations:
| Rape Crisis Hotline (260) 426-RAPE
(7273) |
| National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD) |
| National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) |
How can I protect myself from being sexually
assaulted?
There are things you can do to reduce your
chances of being sexually assaulted. Follow these tips from the National Crime
Prevention Council.
| Be aware of your surroundings — who’s out
there and what’s going on. |
| Walk with confidence. The more confident you
look, the stronger you appear. |
| Don’t let drugs or alcohol cloud your
judgment. |
| Be assertive — don’t let anyone violate your
space. |
| Trust your instincts. If you feel
uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave. |
| Don’t prop open self-locking doors.
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| Lock your door and your windows, even if you
leave for just a few minutes. |
| Watch your keys. Don’t lend them. Don’t leave
them. Don’t lose them. And don’t put your name and address on the key ring.
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| Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who’s on
the other side of the door before you open it. |
| Be wary of isolated spots, like underground
garages, offices after business hours, and apartment laundry rooms.
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| Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at
night. Vary your route. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas. |
| Have your key ready to use before you reach
the door — home, car, or work. |
| Park in well-lit areas and lock the car, even
if you’ll only be gone a few minutes. |
| Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors and
windows locked. |
| Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker.
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| Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas
in the tank. |
| In case of car trouble, call for help on your
cellular phone. If you don’t have a phone, put the hood up, lock the doors,
and put a banner in the rear mirror that says, “Help. Call police.”
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How can I help someone who has been sexually
assaulted?
You can help someone who is abused or who has
been assaulted by listening and offering comfort. Go with her or him to the
police, the hospital, or to counseling. Reinforce the message that she or he is
not at fault and that it is natural to feel angry and ashamed.
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