SEXUAL ASSAULT

WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?

Sexual assault is a general term that includes sexual harassment, unwanted sexual contact, child sexual abuse, incest and rape. Sexual contact becomes sexual assault when a person is unable to or does not consent to an activity. Rape, which is a form of sexual assault, is a crime of aggression, power and control in which one person forces, coerces or manipulates another person to have sexual intercourse without their consent. Rape includes vaginal, oral or anal penetration by any object including digital penetration, and also includes forced oral sex.

It is important for victims of sexual assault to know they are not alone and that they are not to blame. Approximately one in four women and one in six men will experience sexual violence at some point during their life, and more than 80% of victims know their offender prior to the assault.

HOW TO GET HELP

In Connecticut, there is a statewide network of sexual assault programs that can be reached by calling the statewide sexual assault hotline: 1-888-999-5545 (English) or 1-888-568-8332 (Spanish). Free and confidential sexual assault crisis services include: 24 hour hotline with immediate access to trained, certified counselors; crisis intervention and short term counseling; accompaniment and advocacy through the medical and police systems; preparation, accompaniment and advocacy through the court system; information and referrals for other needs; support groups; TTY access during office hours; sign language interpreters available; male counselors; emergency transportation by arrangement; professional training, community education, and child sexual abuse prevention programs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Conn. Sexual Assault Crisis Services (CONNSACS): http://www.connsacs.org
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center: http://www.nsvrc.org
• Darkness to Light: http://www.darkness2light.org/
• National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women: http://www.vawnet.org/
• Men Can Stop Rape: http://www.mencanstoprape.org
• Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network: http://www.rainn.org

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT’S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:

Search by service names:

• Sexual Assault Hotlines
• Sexual Assault Counseling
• Sexual Assault Prevention
• Sexual Assault/Incest Support Groups
• Crime Victim Support

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SOURCE: CONNSACS
PREPARED BY: 211/lb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: March2012