Family Resource Center, Inc.

Sexual Assault Program

The Sexual Assault program offers emotional support and advocacy to adult and child victims of sexual assault and their families. Information on the medical, legal, and psychological aspects of sexual assault are provided. Clients may be seen in area schools or in our offices in Wytheville, Galax, or Marion. Support groups are held throughout the year for sexual assault survivors. Crisis Advocate Companions are available 24 hours a day to accompany victims to the hospital. If you have been sexually assaulted: Get to a safe place. Contact someone who can help you: a friend, the police, the Family Resource Center, your parents—any or all of the above. Do not shower, eat or drink, douche or change your clothes. Doing so may destroy important physical evidence that could be used if you decide to prosecute your assailant. Get medical attention at a hospital emergency room right away. Even if you don’t want to report this to the police, you might have injuries. You may want to take precautions to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. Physical evidence may exist up to 72 hours after the assault (24 hours after for oral or anal penetration). The police can take you to the hospital or meet you there. The Family Resource Center can meet you there to provide support. As soon as you have a quiet moment, write down everything that you remember happening, with as much detail as possible. This will help with your own healing process and in any legal action you might want to take. Remember: It was not your fault. Anyone can be sexually assaulted. Sexual Assault Victims generally have 3 choices: Not to report the crime to the police. Register a complaint (report) with the police but not to prosecute. Report the crime to the police with the intent of prosecuting the criminal. This is a decision that only the sexual assault survivor can make. If the survivor would like to discuss these options with someone, contact the Family Resource Center. We can provide information and support. You do not have to make these decisions alone. Reactions to Sexual Assault Sexual assault can be one of the most terrifying crimes a person can experience. Although different people react to stress and trauma differently, victims experience some common emotional and physical responses to sexual assault. These may include: Inability to express emotions Nightmares and/or sleeplessness Fear Shame and guilt Denial Drug/alcohol abuse Anger Lack of concentration Appetite loss or overeating Loss of self-confidence Feelings of grief and despair Problems with authority figures Sexual dysfunction Unexplained and unexpected mood swings Social withdrawal Unpredictable agitation Suicidal thoughts Anxiety These are all normal feelings. The emotional pain of a sexual assault can be overwhelming, but victims do gain their sense of control back into their lives with time and support. Sometimes months or even years after a sexual assault survivors may re-experience some of the feelings they had immediately following the attack. They may feel depressed or anxious and not know why. These may be signs that some issues surrounding the assault remain unresolved and that the healing has not been completed. Counseling or a support group may help at these times. Often decisions that have to be made right after a sexual assault are very difficult. There are no right answers, only what is right for you. The most important thing is to get the support you deserve. Virginia Law imposes criminal sanctions for sexual assault crimes such as: rape, sodomy, marital rape, incest, sexual battery, attempted rape, and sexual harassment. The Virginia Sexual Assault Code is very complex. If you believe that you have been given misinformation or need additional information, call the Family Resource Center at 800.613.6145. Crime Victims’ Compensation The State of Virginia has established a Crime Victims’ Compensation Program. If you report the crime to the police, Victims’ Compensation will reimburse some cost incurred as a result of the crime. For more information about victim compensation and filing procedures, contact the Family Resource Center at 800.613.6145 Did you know that… 86% of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows 42% of assaults happen in the victim’s own home 57% of rapes occur in the context of a date 1 woman in 4 will be a victim of a rape or attempted rape sometime during her lifetime Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault Women between the ages of 15-24 are at the highest risk for being raped by someone they know 71% of sexual assaults are planned. Both the victim and place have been predetermined by the assailant A woman is 10 times more likely to be raped than to die in a car crash 78% of teens do not tell their parents that they have been raped. 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 7 boys will be sexually abused by age 18.