What is sexual assault? Any nonconsensual physical contact of a sexual nature including touching, kissing, sexual intercourse, rape, attempted rape and child molestation.

 It doesn’t always take physical force to sexually assault a victim. Threats and intimidation can make a victim feel afraid or unable to refuse the sexual activity.  A person who is drunk, drugged, unconscious, or mentally disabled is not legally able to consent to sexual contact.  In Texas children younger than 17 cannot legally consent to sex with someone more than 3 years older.  Sexual assault happens across all socio-economic, age, gender, ethnicity and religious categories.

Children and Sexual Abuse  A form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation.  This can include: Touching Sexual intercourse Exposure Voyeurism Child pornography Forcing a child to engage in sex with others

Incest  Sexual contact between persons who are so closely related that their marriage is illegal (e.g., parents and children, uncles/aunts and nieces/nephews, etc.)

Date Rape  “Date rape” happens when someone forces or manipulates you into having sex when you haven’t given consent.  It can happen between partners, on dates, with friends or acquaintances.

 1 in 5 women (18%) and 1 in 71 men (1.4%) are raped (completed and attempted) at some time in their life.  More than half (51%) of female victims reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance.

Consent =Yes Both people freely and willingly agree to engage in a specific sexual activity by stating their mutual understanding and agreement.

Effects of Sexual Assault & Rape Physical  Injuries  Self-harm  Eating disorder  Substance abuse  Pregnancy  STIs Emotional  Guilt and shame  Depression and anxiety  Trouble sleeping  Post-traumatic stress disorder

Date Rape Drugs Rohypnol (roh-HIP-nol). Rohypnol is the trade name for flunitrazepam (FLOO-neye-TRAZ-uh-pam). Abuse of two similar drugs appears to have replaced Rohypnol abuse in some parts of the United States. These are: clonazepam (marketed as Klonopin in the U.S. and Rivotril in Mexico) and alprazolam (marketed as Xanax). clonazepam alprazolam GHB, which is short for gamma hydroxybutyric (GAM-muh heye-DROX- ee-BYOO-tur-ihk) acid. Ketamine (KEET-uh-meen) The term "drug-facilitated sexual assault" is often used to describe the use of date rape drugs.

Effects of Date Rape Drugs  These drugs are very powerful. They can affect you very quickly and without your knowing. The length of time that the effects last varies. It depends on how much of the drug is taken and if the drug is mixed with other drugs or alcohol. Alcohol makes the drugs even stronger and can cause serious health problems — even death.  Effects include:  Muscle relaxation or loss of muscle control  Drunk feeling  Nausea  Confusion  Problems talking

Protecting Yourself from Date Rape * When going on a date, know who the person is, where you are going, and what you will be doing. *Make sure friends and family know this information too. *Don’t be alone with your date. *Go on dates in public places. *Go on double dates or group dates. *Do not accept drugs or alcohol. *Do not allow anyone to have an opportunity to put drugs in your beverage. *Be wary of meeting anyone on the Internet. *Know where a phone is at all times. *Set limits, and communicate these limits clearly and firmly ahead of time.

Belief vs. Reality  “Only young, beautiful people are raped.”  People of all ages are victims of rape  “Men and boys are never raped.”  1 out of every 10 victims of rape is male  “People who wear sexy clothes are asking to be raped.”  It doesn’t matter what a victim wears. No one asks to be raped.  “Rape is an act of sexual frustration.”  Rape is an act of power and control.  “Most rapes are committed by someone unknown to the victim.”  Most rapes are committed by a person known to the victim.

Preventing Sexual Assault  Be responsible. Know the law. Always respect your partner’s sexual limits.  Avoid situations and substances that may put you at risk of pressuring someone for sex.  Be a good friend. Never leave someone in a vulnerable situation, especially if they’ve been using substances that make them vulnerable.  Speak up or get help from an adult if you witness sexual harassment or are concerned about someone’s personal safety.

Help After Sexual Assault  Go to a safe place, away from further harm  Call for help  Don’t change anything about your body or environment – don’t shower or go to the bathroom – don’t wash or comb your hair – don’t take a shower – don’t clean up  Ask someone to take you to the hospital  Contact a local crisis center  Seek counseling and support

Helping a Survivor  Listen without judging or blaming  Let the person know the assault was not their fault  Reassure them they are cared for and loved  Encourage them to seek medical attention  Encourage them to call the police, a sexual assault hotline or to speak with someone they trust  Remind them they are not alone and that help is available

Denim Day There is never an excuse for rape! Make a statement, wear denim. Why denim? In 1998, a teenage girl in Italy was raped by her driving instructor. The man was convicted, but his case went to the Supreme Court of Appeals in Rome. The court overturned the conviction, arguing that because the girl wore very tight jeans she must have had to help remove them, thereby giving consent to have sex. The case made international headlines, and the young woman’s jeans became a symbol of awareness that what someone wears is never an excuse for rape.