Sexual Abuse/ Assault Facts (Trigger Warning )
What is Sexual Abuse???
Many people believe that Sexual Abuse is just about physical sex, it is not!
Sexual Abuse can be physical, verbal, emotional, and can include:
* Sexual touching and fondling
* Exposing children to adult sexual activity or pornographic movies and/ or photographs.
* Having children pose, undress or perform in a sexual fashion on film or in person.
* "Peeping" into bathrooms or bedrooms to spy on children.
* Rape or attempted rape.
Facts of Sexual Abuse
* 1 in every 3 girls and 1 in every 4 guys are abused by the age of 18.
* Almost always the offender is a Male. He will molest an average of 17 youngsters, most of whom do not report the offense. The victim is likely to be a boy or girl that the offender knows.
* Approximately 35% of women and 20% of men in the US were victims of sexual abuse as children.
* 85% of child abuse takes place with a family member or friend in the home.
* Child Sexual abuse is reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the number of unreported instances is far greater, because the children are afraid to tell, and the legal procedure for validating the episode is difficult.
* Almost all of the children will be abused by someone they know and trust: a family member, family friend, or a caretaker.
* The abuse often begins gradually (fondling) and increases over time.
* Incestious behavior is not confined to sexual intercourse. Incest can include nudity, disrobing, genital exposure, kissing, fondling, digital penetration, and sodomy.
* Incest survives on secrecy. Most victims feel isolated from the rest of the world. The effects of incest are devastating. Short-term ones include behavioral problems, addictions, sexual promiscuity, and a sudden drop in grades. Long-term effects include anxiety, chronic depression, sleep disorders,
addictions, low self-esteem, suicidal urges, feelings of isolation, shame and guilt, and difficulty with sex and relationships.
Feelings
Children who have been Sexually Abused feel many different and often overwhelming emotions including:
* Fear
- of the abuser
- of causing trouble
- of losing adults important to them
- of being taken away from home
- of being different
* Anger
- at the abuser
- at other adults around them who didn't protect them
- at themselves (feeling as if they caused the problem)
* Isolation
- because "something is wrong with me"
- because they feel alone in their experience
- because they have trouble talking about the abuse
* Sadness
- about having something taken from them
- about losing a part of them
- about growing up too fast
- about being betrayed by someone they trusted
*Shame
- about being involved in the experience
- about their body's response to the abuse
*Guilt
- for not being able to stop the abuse
- for believing they "consented" to the abuse
- for telling (if they told)
- for keeping the secret (if they didn't tell)
*Confusion
- because they may still love their abuser
-because their feelings change all the time.
What to do if you or someone you know is abused
* Do's
- Keep Calm
- Tell an adult you feel you can trust
- Believe the Child
- Give positive messages
- Explain
- Listen and answer the child
- Respect
- Be responsible
- Arrange a medical exam
- Get help
* Don'ts
- Panic or over react
- Pressure the child
- Confront the offender
- Blame the child
Behavioral Patterns
* Unusual interest in or avoidness of all things of a sexual nature
* Fear or dislike of certain places or people
* Sleep disturbances
* School problems
* Withdrawing from the family, friends, and unusual activities
* Poor hygiene
* Return to younger, more babyish behavior
* Depression
* Anxiety
* Discipline problems
* Running away
* Eating disorders
* Passive or overly pleasing behaviors
* Delinquent acts
* Low self-esteem
* Self-destructive behavior
* Hostility or Aggression
* Drug or alcohol problems
* Sexual activity or pregnancy at an early age
* Suicide attempts
Questions an abused person may be facing
* How do you feel about your own sexuality? About Sex?
* How do you feel about the abuser? Do you feel confusion for loving the abuser?
* Do you feel the abuse was your fault?
* Do you hate the person who abused you?
* Do you hate someone you feel should have protected you?
* Do you believe that there will be a time in your life when you'll be able to trust again?.....when?
* (Guys) Do you feel that you may be homosexual because girls don't "turn you on"?
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
?Sexual intercourse that you say no to
?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: in the home by someone you know, on a date, or by a stranger in an isolated place.
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. Attackers use date rape drugs to make a person unable to resist assault. These drugs can also cause memory loss so the victim doesn?t know what happened.
Rape and sexual assault are never the victim?s fault ? no matter where or how it happens.
What do I do if I've been sexually assaulted?
These are important steps to take right away after an assault:
?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 hospital staff can collect evidence. Do not touch or change anything at the scene of the assault.
?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 infections (STIs) or pregnancy. The doctor will collect evidence using a rape kit for fibers, hairs, saliva, semen, or clothing that the attacker may have left behind.
While at the hospital:
?If you decide you want to file a police report, you or the hospital staff can call the police from the emergency room.
?Ask the hospital staff to connect you with the local rape crisis center. The center staff can help you make choices about reporting the attack and getting help through counseling and support groups.
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:
?National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-SAFE (7233) or 800-787-3224 (TDD)
?National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-HOPE (4673)
There are many organizations and hotlines in every state and territory. These crisis centers and agencies work hard to stop assaults and help victims. Find contact information for these organizations. You also can obtain the numbers of shelters, counseling services, and legal assistance in your phone book or online.
How can I lower my risk of sexual assault?
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.
?Know your limits when it comes to using alcohol.
?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.
?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.
?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.
?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.
?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.?
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.
More information on sexual assault,
Support the person if you can, Talk with them until the law Enforcement gets to them and starts the report. If you can talk them into reporting the crime within 24 Hours of the event.
Heyy I would like to talk about a experience I had
At this time I am limited on Web use due to no enter-nit service where I am at, but I will be getting it Aug. 31, 2015 and would be happy to chat. If you need to vent or need help sooner please seek a Listener with the Sexual Abuse Training Badge. They will do there best or link you to the resorces you need at the time.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A TRAINING FORUM
THANK YOU
