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Additional Website

www.d2l.org -Darkness to Light- Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Resources & Tips

www.stopitnow.org- Child Sexual Abuse Information and Tips

www.rainn.org- Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network
www.loveisrespect.org- Loveisrespect is a resource to empower youth to prevent and end dating abuse.
www.nomore.org- Resources for Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Additional Resources

Grooming- How offenders groom children, how offenders groom adolescents & what to look for.

 

How to respond to a disclosure of sexual abuse- Do's and don'ts and things to remember.

 

Age appropriate developments-Stages of sexual development and what to teach at each age.

 

Range of Sexual Behaviors of children-Normal, yellow flags, red flags and report.

Types of Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence is any sexual contact performed against your will or where your consent is gained by the threat or acts of violence. The crime of sexual violence impacts all of us—our family members, our friends, and our neighbors. Sexual violence includes all sexual acts meant to harm, humiliate, control, and/or intimidate.

 

Acquaintance Rape | Rape by an individual known to the victim (friend, coworker, etc.), is the most common form of rape


Child Sexual Abuse | Engaging in sexual activity with a child


Hate Crimes | Victimization of an individual based on race, religion, national origin, ethnic identification, gender or sexual orientation.


Incest | Sexual assault by a relative.

Partner Rape | Sexual acts committed against the will of a current partner, past partner, or cohabiter. 

Sexual Exploitation by Helping Professionals | Sexual contact of any kind by a helping professional (doctor, therapist, teacher, priest, etc.).

Drug Facilitated Sexual Violence | Use of drugs or alcohol to compromise an individual's ability to consent to sexual activity.

Sexual Harassment | Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. 

Stalking | Intentional and repeated behaviors that place a person in reasonable fear for his/her safety.

Stranger Rape | Sexual assault by an unknown assailant.

Gang Rape | Occurs when more than one person sexually assaults an individual. 

Human Trafficking | Trade of human beings as possessions (prostitution or forced labor). 

 

Sexual violence is a crime of power and control, not a desire for sex!!

What can I do?

Get to a safe place!!


Steps you may take include:
1. Seek medical attention: regardless of whether you choose to report or not. 

(physical evidence can be collected up to 120 hours after an assault and you can report anonymously)
2. Call our HOPE line ANYTIME: 1-877-362-4612.   We will not report to police unless you chose that is what YOU want.

3. Report to the police, if you so choose.  
4. Talk to a counselor/therapist.
5. Talk to friends and relatives.
 

The most important thing to do is what's most comfortable to YOU. Give yourself the same love, understanding, and patience that you would give your friends or family.

 

Sexual violence is never your fault, no matter what you wore, where you went or what you did. The assailant made a choice to violate your rights! Not saying "no" does not mean "yes".

​

How can I help my friend, family member or partner?

 

  • BELIEVE your friend, family member or partner.

  • Respect their confidentiality.

  • Avoid judgmental comments.  NEVER ask any questions that start with why. They did NOTHING wrong!!

  • Ask how you can be of assistance rather than giving advice. 

  • Respect their decision even when yours may be different.

  • Be a good listener but understand if they don't want to talk about it. Let it be on their timeline.  

  • Don't always ask them how they are doing, unless this is something that you have always done before.  Try to treat them the same as before this happened.  They want normalcy.

  • When your child is a victim, don't treat them differently from the rest of your children. They want normal.

  • When your partner is a victim, avoid pressure to resume any form of sexual activity.   Be patient & understanding!  

  • Offer unconditional love and support. 

  • Some things you can say are:

                 "I'm glad you are alive."
                "It's not your fault."
                "I'm sorry it happened."
Become informed: Gather all the information you can about sexual violence and know what community resources are available. 

 

Suggest they call our Sexual Assault Hope Line: 1-877-362-4612 or a therapist.

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