What is sexual violence?
Sexual violence violates a person’s trust and feeling of safety. It occurs any time a person is forced, coerced, and/or manipulated into unwanted sexual activity. The continuum of sexual violence includes: rape, incest, child sexual assault, ritual abuse, date and acquaintance rape, statutory rape, marital or partner rape, sexual exploitation, unwanted sexual contact, sexual harassment, exposure, and voyeurism. In 80% of the cases, the rapist will not take “NO” for an answer NO ONE “asks” to be raped. No means NO. Rape is a crime.

What should victims do?
CALL THE 24-HOUR VICTIM SERVICES HOTLINE
The number is 814-944-3585 or 1-800-500-2849
A counselor will give you the information you need and, if you like, will accompany you to the police station, hospital, or doctor’s office.

Preserve possible evidence
Try not to change your clothing, wash anything, or bathe. You may be destroying evidence that will help convict a criminal.

Inform police
You can decide to press charges now or later, but informing the police as soon as possible may assist them in solving or preventing another crime.

Get medical care immediately
If you were physically injured, get a complete exam and ask the doctor to gather evidence and treat your injuries. Also, if it is sexual assault, have a follow-up exam to look for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, or additional problems.

How to protect yourself . . .
There are things you can do to reduce your chances of being sexually assaulted. Follow these tips from the National Crime Prevention Council.

• Be aware of your surroundings — who’s out there and what’s going on.
• Walk with confidence. The more confident you look, the stronger you appear.
• Know your limits when it comes to using alcohol.
• Be assertive — don’t let anyone violate your space.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave.
• Don’t prop open self-locking doors.
• Lock your door and your windows, even if you leave for just a few minutes.
• Watch your keys. Don’t lend them. Don’t leave them. Don’t lose them. And don’t put your name and address on the key ring.
• Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who’s on the other side of the door before you open it.
• Be wary of isolated spots, like underground garages, offices after business hours, and apartment laundry rooms.
• Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas.
• Have your key ready to use before you reach the door — home, car, or work.
• Park in well-lit areas and lock the car, even if you’ll only be gone a few minutes.
• Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors and windows locked.
• Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker.
• Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas in the tank.
• In case of car trouble, call for help on your cellular phone. If you don’t have a phone, put the hood up, lock the doors, and put a banner in the rear mirror that says, “Help. Call police.”

All services are strictly confidential as outlined in the agency’s Confidentiality Policy.  As required by this policy, Family Services Incorporated must report all cases of suspected child abuse to Childline, the 24-hour Department of Public Welfare hotline.