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WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?
Sexual assault is a crime of violence, committed to degrade and humiliate another person. Sexual assault is any sexual act a person is coerced or forced into without consent. It is an invasion of a person’s physical and psychological well-being. It is an act of power and control expressed through sexual aggression. Offenders choose their victims without regard to gender, race, age, social class, reputation or physical appearance.
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Most rapes are perpetuated by someone known and trusted by the victim. In 2002, in Kansas, the offender knew the victim in at least 71.3% of the reported cases.
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93% of juvenile sexual assault victims knew their attacker; 34.2% were family members and 58.7% were acquaintances. Only 7% of the perpetrators were strangers to the victims.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE:
Report the crime. Call the police immediately. Without prompt reporting, evidence may disappear and the assailant may not be caught.
Do not bathe, douche, or change clothes until you’ve had a medical examination; doing so destroys valuable evidence if you wish to prosecute.
Go to a Hospital Emergency Room. You may want to take a change of clothes with you to the hospital. You will be given a complete examination including a pelvic exam.
Show the doctor or nurse all your cuts, bruises, and scratches.
Seek help. Call Crisis Resource Center to speak to someone that can help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for support through this difficult time.
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