Sexual Violence
Contact UsEvery 73 Seconds Another American is Sexually Assaulted
You are not alone.
REACH can be with you throughout your entire healing process; whether you have experienced sexual violence recently or sometime in the past.
Sexual violence affects everyone.
REACH supports the family and friends of survivors who have been impacted by sexual violence.
We are here to help.
If you are in a safe place, call us on our confidential, 24-hour Hotline at 1-866-373-8300. Our Advocates are always ready to listen and help.
I was sexually assaulted within the last few days...
Your safety comes first!
Are you in a safe place where no one can hurt you? If not, or if you need medical attention, call 911 now!
There are many different pathways to care. You choose your own path.
I want to make a police report and have evidence collected for possible prosecution:
The best time to receive a forensic medical exam is within five days of a sexual assault (120 hours).
A forensic exam is conducted by a specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). The purpose of a forensic medical exam is to collect and preserve evidence and attend to any medical needs.
Please try to Avoid:
- Drinking or eating
- Taking a shower
- Brushing your teeth
- Changing clothes (or bring clothes worn during the assault in a paper bag)
- Using the restroom (if you must use the bathroom, please don’t wipe, pat dry)
You have the right to:
- Access a forensic medical exam at no cost to you.
- Decline any part of the exam.
Confidentiality:
- A survivor’s medical records can only be released with your expressed consent.
- A 24-Hour Confidential Sexual Assault Counselor (victim advocate) and at least one other person of your choosing present during any exam or investigative interview.
- To report a sexual assault, you can contact a law enforcement agency in the city where the crime occurred or go to the nearest hospital.
You don’t have to do this alone. For immediate support or to discuss your options REACH an advocate 24/7 at 1-866-373-8300
I want to have evidence collected, but I am not ready to make a police report:
As an adult victim of a recent sexual assault, you can have a forensic medical exam conducted whether or not you choose to report to law enforcement. (Click here for more information on child sexual assault/abuse).
The best time to receive a forensic medical exam is within five days of a sexual assault (120 hours).
A forensic exam is conducted by a specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE).
The purpose of a forensic medical exam is to collect and preserve evidence and attend to any medical needs.
Please try to Avoid:
- Drinking or eating
- Taking a shower
- Brushing your teeth
- Changing clothes (or bring clothes worn during the assault in paper bag)
- Using the restroom (if you must use the bathroom, please don’t wipe, pat dry)
You have the right to:
- Access a forensic medical exam at no cost to you.
- Decline any part of the exam.
Confidentiality:
- A survivor’s medical records can only be released with your expressed consent.
- A 24-Hour Confidential Sexual Assault Counselor (victim advocate) and at least one other person of your choosing present during any exam or investigative interview.
- To report a sexual assault, you can contact a law enforcement agency in the city where the crime occurred or go to the nearest hospital.
Considerations:
- Criminal charges will not be pursued unless you choose to make a police report in the future.
- The evidence collected will be preserved and stored for 2 years.
- When seeking a forensic medical exam at the hospital, medical professionals are required to report to law enforcement any injuries that have been inflicted in violation of the law (as opposed to accidents, etc.)
You don’t have to do this alone. For immediate support or to discuss your options REACH an advocate 24/7 at 1-866-373-8300.
I do not want to report the crime and I do not want evidence collected:
Not all survivors choose to report their assault. Choosing to report is a personal decision. We believe you and support this empowering step as you begin on your healing path.
This time can be very frustrating and confusing and you may be experiencing any number of feelings. Although no two experiences are exactly alike some common responses to current or past trauma are:
- Anger
- Self-Blame
- Doubt
- Guilt
- Fear
- Shame
You don’t have to do this alone. For immediate support or to discuss your options REACH an advocate 24/7 at 1-866-373-8300.
Click here for our available support services.
I was sexually assaulted in the past.
Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing is about creating the change you do choose.
Michele Resenthal
There are many different pathways to care and you choose your own path.
REACH works with women, men and children of all ages. We can help if you are a survivor of rape, sexual violence, or sexual abuse or if someone in your family is a survivor.
You can REACH out at any time, regardless of whether the incident just happened, or occurred months or even years ago.
Click here for our available services.
Click here to call our 24/7 hotline.
You don’t have to do this alone. Whenever you are ready, REACH an advocate 24/7 at 1-866-373-8300.
Additional information as you explore your path.
What happens if I call the hotline?
When you call the 24-hour hotline, you will reach a trained Advocate who will listen to you and help you understand your options. You do not have to give any information you do not want to share. The Advocate will offer to have someone meet you at the hospital or police station to support you in getting medical attention or reporting the assault to the police. If you do not want to do those things, you can just talk. You can call the hotline to talk at any time, right after the assault or months or years later, whenever you need support.
If I go to reach, will they tell anyone?
Services at REACH are confidential. That means that we cannot tell anyone anything without your written consent. Your privacy and comfort are very important to us. There are exceptions to confidentiality. We are required to follow the Mandated Reporting laws, which require us to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. We are also required to report to law enforcement if you tell us you plan to hurt yourself or anyone else.
I was raped, but I don’t want to talk to the police. Do I have to report it?
It is completely up to you whether or not to report a rape or sexual assault. REACH provides support and services regardless of your decision. Please call our hotline, and we can help you explore your options.
I have heard the forensic medical examination is scary. Do I have to go to the hospital?
Requesting a forensic medical exam is your personal decision. If you choose to proceed with the forensic medical exam, you have the right to consent/refuse to any or all parts of the exam. The doctor or nurse can give you emergency contraception (EC) to prevent pregnancy and medications to prevent HIV and AIDS.
If I don’t report the assault, can I change my mind and report it later?
You can always file a report with the police at any time. It is important to know that
your memory will be most clear soon after the assault, and there may be physical evidence that will be lost if you wait. Reporting the crime right away and having a specially trained nurse collect evidence during a medical examination increases the chances that your attacker can be caught and prosecuted.
What if I was on a date or at a party? Will anyone believe me?
Sexual assault is a crime. It does not matter if you were on a date, at a party, or if you were drinking when it happened. It is never okay for someone to force sex on you. Under the law, date and acquaintance rape is no different from rape by a stranger.
I don’t remember what happened. How do I know if I was drugged?
People who have had rape drugs slipped into a drink often do not remember what happened while they were unconscious. They may remember what happened but not be able to remember clearly. If you have memory loss and have been sexually assaulted, you may have been given a rape drug such as Rohypnol or GHB. If you think you have been drugged, get to a hospital right away.
I am supporting someone who was assaulted.
How to Provide Support:
The support and understanding of friends, family members and people in a position of trust can be very helpful to a survivor of sexual violence. It is important to let the survivor know right away that you care and want to help.
There are some specific things you can do that can positively influence a survivor’s healing process:
• Ensure they are in a safe place and are not in need of medical attention, if either is not the case encourage them to call 911.
• Listen to the survivor and protect their privacy.
• Remind them “It’s not your fault” and “I believe you”.
• Empower them to make their own choices.
• Consider reviewing “I was assaulted” with the survivor for reporting options.
• Let them know there is Hope – they can Heal
Remember it is not what you say, it’s about being there.
We recognize the impact that sexual violence can have on family and friends, don’t forget you need support too!
You don’t have to do this alone. REACH an advocate 24/7 at 1-866-373-8300.