Facts About Sexual Assault

The Victim
Sexual assault can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time! If you think that sexual assault is motivated by sexual desire, or happens because victims "ask for it," consider these facts: sexual assault can happen to anyone - children, students, working women, mothers, wives, grandmothers, men, the rich and the poor.

The Suspect
Imagine a "typical" sexual offender. Whom do you picture? A sex-crazed maniac? A psychopath? More often than not, those stereotypes are wrong. Most sexual offenders don't look peculiar or act strangely. They may be less stable and more aggressive than most people, and they may dislike women. In reality, people who sexually assault are not always strangers to their victims. In more than one-third of reported cases, the rapist is an acquaintance, neighbor, friend, or relative.

The Crime
Although sexual conduct is a component of this crime, suspects mainly want to hurt, humiliate and degrade another human being. Regardless of the sexual nature of the crime, it is a crime of violence! Some people have the wrong idea about sexual assault. They think sexual offenders are overcome by sexual desire, that victims were dressed too seductively, the victim "asked for it" - and that all women subconsciously want to be sexually assaulted.

These ideas assume that sexual assault is a sexual crime - a crime that is motivated by desire. It isn't. It is a violent crime, a hostile attack, to hurt and humiliate. Sex is only the weapon. Sexual assault is a felony. Simply defined, it is sexual intercourse, achieved or attempted without the victim's consent, and with the use or threat of force. Legally, "sexual intercourse" means penetration by any part of a person's body - or any object used by that person - into the genital opening of another person.

How Can It Happen?

"When the salesman knocked on the door, I let him in. He was friendly at first, then all of a sudden he grabbed me..."
"I was downstairs in the laundry room of our apartment building. I had been there alone many times before, but this time..."
"I was walking to work in broad daylight. A car stopped next to me. The driver leaned over and asked for directions. When I got close to the car, he pulled out a gun and told me to get in..."

These simple examples show that the tragedy of sexual assault can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time.

What Should You Do To Prevent Sexual Assault- Reduce Your Risk

Always be aware of your surroundings.
Stay in well lighted areas as much as possible.
Walk confidently, directly, at a steady pace. A rapist looks for someone who appears vulnerable.
Walk on the side of the street facing traffic.
Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys where rapists can hide.
If you think you are being followed, walk quickly to areas where there are people and lights.
If a car appears to be following you, turn and walk in the opposite direction, or walk on the other side of the street.
Be careful when people stop you for directions or money. Always reply from a distance, and never get too close to the car.
If you are in trouble or feel you are in danger, don't be afraid to attract help any way you can. Scream, yell, or run away to safety.
Always lock your car. Keep your car locked when you are away from it to keep someone from hiding and waiting inside. When you are inside the car, lock the doors for safety.
Look inside and around your car before you get in.
Be alert to other people in parking areas, especially those close to your vehicle.
If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place or a police station to get help.
If your car breaks down, open the hood or attach a white cloth to the antenna. If someone stops to help, stay inside your locked vehicle and ask them to call the police.
If you choose to carry any type of weapon for self protection, give careful consideration to your ability and willingness to use it, and the chances that it could be taken away and used against you.

What Should You Do If You're A Victim?
Seek help immediately! If you are injured, call 9-1-1 for medical assistance or go to a hospital emergency room. An important thing to remember is that you should not touch anything, change your clothes, wash, bathe, shower or douche until you have been to the hospital and contacted the police. Doing any of these things will destroy valuable evidence that is needed by the police and the prosecutor to identify, arrest and convict your attacker.

The emotional impact of a sexual assault is great and both medical professionals and law enforcement officers know this. It will be difficult for you to confide in strangers about what has happened to you. Every effort is made to have family members, friends, clergy or anyone you want present to provide support during this difficult time.

The Child Victim
Each year thousands of children suffer some type of sexual abuse. Who is the typical offender? In more than one-third of the sexual abuse cases involving children, the offender is known to the child and child's family. In other words, the abuser is often a parent, relative, or family friend.

Because children are so trusting and defenseless, they are especially vulnerable to sexual assault.

Children often make up stories, but they rarely lie about being a victim of sexual assault. If a child tells you about being touched or assaulted, take it seriously. Your response helps determine how the child will react to the abuse. Stay calm. Explain that you are concerned about what happened, but not angry with the child.

Many children feel guilty as if they had provoked the assault. Children need to be reassured that they are not to blame, and that they are right to tell you about what happened. Sometimes a child may be too frightened or confused to talk directly about the abuse. Be alert for any changes in behavior that might hint that the child has suffered a disturbing experience.

For additional information about burglary prevention, Block Watch, and other crime prevention measures call Troutdale Police Department.

Sexual Assault Prevention
Like most criminals, sexual offenders are opportunists. And as in all other crimes, prevention is the best defense.

In many instances, sexual assault can be prevented. Being alert to the danger and practicing some common sense rules of personal safety will lessen your chances of becoming a sexual assault victim. We hope this pamphlet will help you recognize danger signals and dispel some widespread misconceptions about sexual assaults.

Remember, there is no creditable "profile of a sexual offender." Sexual offenders cannot be stereotyped. They may be family members, acquaintances, friends, coworkers or total strangers. Their victims come from every age group, ethnic background and social standing. They prey upon the unsuspecting and the unprepared.

On The Street

Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
Walk in the middle of the sidewalk, against the flow of traffic traveling on the street.
Avoid doorways, pillars, alleyways, shrubbery or any place a sexual offender may be hiding.
Wear clothes and shoes that give you freedom of movement.
Don't burden yourself with too many packages.
While waiting for your ride or a bus, be aware of the traffic flow and wary of any car that passes slowly or returns.
If stopped by someone in a car asking directions or questions, give your answers from a safe distance. Never get close to the car.
If your instinct tells you that you are being followed, trust your instinct. Cross the street and seek the nearest place of safety (an open business or occupied residence).

In Your Car

Learn basic information about the functioning of your car, how to change a tire, and what tools are needed.
Plan your route ahead of time and stay on well-traveled roads.
Keep the doors locked and the windows open a crack to allow for ventilation.
Park in well-lighted areas, away from bushes and pillars where someone may be hiding.
If stopped, do not get out of your locked car unless you can identify the person as a police officer.
Don't leave items of value in plain view.
Take valuables with you. Lock your car. On your return, have your keys ready so you won't have to fumble for them if trouble appears.
Check the back seat and interior of your car before entering.
If your car breaks down, open the hood and turn on the hazard lights.
If someone stops to help, stay in your locked car and ask them to call the police or a garage.
If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place or police station.

In Your Leisure Time

Travel in groups. There is safety in numbers.
Park as close as possible to your destination.
Avoid walking long distances to and from your car.
Avoid secluded or empty parks and beaches, especially during the evening, night or early morning hours.

At Work

Be familiar with your entire work area, giving special attention to poor lighting in corridors, stairways and parking area.
Avoid areas that do not have a lot of pedestrian traffic. Stairways can be isolated and dangerous.
In elevators, stand next to the control panel. If you are attacked, hit the emergency alarm and every other button you can reach.
Whistles and other types of noisemakers can be used to alert people that you need help.
If you must work late, notify someone that you are safely locked in and tell them how long you expect to be working. Telephone them when you leave so they will know when to expect you home.

Confrontation

Passive Resistance

Sometimes a person may want to resist, but is afraid to scream or fight back. In these cases, a more passive type of resistance may help to defuse the violence of the attacker.

Try to calm the attacker. Tell him you are pregnant, or have V.D., or you have your period.

Try to discourage the attacker. Some women pretend to faint, some cry hysterically, others act insane or mentally incapacitated.

If you are at home, tell the sexual offender your husband or boyfriend will be home soon.

Active Resistance

Nobody can tell you whether active resistance will be the right thing to do. There are many types of active resistance.

All hits or kicks should be aimed at the vulnerable parts of the body.

Examples are a kick to the groin, a poke in the eyes, a chop to the front of the throat, or a stomp on an attacker's instep.

A scream can surprise or frighten away an attacker if he fears that people will come to help.

If you are not afraid to hurt someone, a forceful struggle may also discourage the sexual offender.

Do not fight when faced with a gun or a knife against your body.

Fight to protect human life and to escape.

Your best method of self-defense is the avoidance of potentially dangerous.

If You Should Become A Victim

As soon as you are safe call the police and give your location.
While waiting for the officer don't shower or wash in any way.
Do not throw away torn clothing or straighten up the area where the sexual assault took place.
The first officer arriving will need information regarding the description of the suspect, the vehicle (if any), and the location of the offense.
Once the information is obtained, you will be taken to the Sex Abuse Treatment Center at Oregon Health Science Hospital Center for Women and Children. Treatment will be given by people trained to deal with sexual assault trauma.
You will be met by a detective who is trained to investigate crimes of sexual assault.