Sexual Assault

RAPE/DATE RAPE/MOLESTATION

RAPE: noun

1. the unlawful compelling of a person through physical force or duress to have sexual intercourse
2. any act of sexual intercourse that is forced upon a person.

DATE RAPE is forced or coerced intercourse between dates, partners, friends or acquaintances.

VERY IMPORTANT...You have the RIGHT to say “No,” to change your mind even if you have all your clothes off and you are in the backseat of a car. You don’t have to give an explanation.  If a person says “No” under ANY circumstances and the other party goes ahead anyway, it is rape in the eyes of the law. 

If a person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs of any kind, he/she cannot consent to sex and the act is legally considered rape.  There are “date rape drugs” or “roofies” out there that can leave a person unconscious or semi-conscious with limited or no memory. These drugs may be odorless and tasteless and can be put in drinks or mixed with other drugs.  

How can I protect myself?

• Do not accept drinks from other people.
• Keep your drink with you at all times do not leave it sitting around even if you have to take it to the bathroom with you.
• Open any containers yourself.
• Don’t share drink.
• Do not get a drink from large bowls like punch bowls.
• Don’t drink anything that tastes or smells strange.
• If you feel like you are becoming severely intoxicated after only 1 or 2 drinks, then get help

If You Are A Victim:
Victims of rape or date rape may often feel guilty or may even blame themselves. They may feel they shouldn’t have accepted the date or accepted a ride home.  They may feel they didn’t put up enough of a fight or even that they “deserved” it or “asked” for it. 

Remember - “No”, means NO.  If you have been a victim of rape or date rape, talk to someone you trust right away - a friend, parent, teacher or a trusted adult. 

You can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to www.rainn.org.

MOLESTATION

Child Sexual Abuse (assault): verb

1. to bother, interfere with, or annoy.
2. to make indecent sexual advances to.
3. to assault sexually

Child Sexual Abuse (assault) sexual activity between a minor and an older person in which the dominant position of the older person is used to coerce or exploit the younger.

Every child is vulnerable to sexual exploitation (molestation). Child victims can be boys as well as girls and older as well as younger.

Child molestation can include:

• Fondling or touching
• “Flashing” or exposing adult genitals to a child
• Showing sexually explicit material to a child
• So called “normal” sexual activity such as vaginal or anal intercourse or oral stimulation of the genitals

Child molesters can use many methods such as:

• Coaxing or persuading a child into sexual activity
• Overpowering or threatening to harm a child into sexual activity

Child molesters most ofen manipulate child victims into complying with sexual activity by "grooming” them with attention, affection, and gifts over a period of time. Sometimes this “grooming” is aimed at the parent of very young children in order for the child molester to obtain the family’s trust and thereby gain access to the child. (10)

Further information can be obtained from The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children - Toll-Free: 1-800-843-5678