Coping with rape and sexual assault
Quick links:
Introduction
Some facts about rape and sexual assault
Drug-assisted sexual assault
What to do after a rape or sexual assault
Health Issues
Reporting to the police
List of contacts
Introduction
Being raped or sexually assaulted is a very distressing experience with effects that can be long lasting.
Because the majority of rapes are reported to be against women this advice is written from the woman's perspective. However it is acknowledged that male rape exists and Student Services will offer support to ALL casualties of rape or sexual assault. Therefore throughout this page advice and suggestions are relevant to either gender.
Women who have suffered sexual attacks describe feeling:
- frightened
- guilty
- powerless
- angry
- ashamed
- depressed
- numb
- lacking self-confidence
Sometimes women have difficulty with eating or sleeping. They may lack concentration and find this makes academic work difficult. Every woman reacts differently and it is not unusual for feelings to change from day to day. In particular there can be a long gap between the assault and the emotional reaction. It can be difficult to talk about the attack to friends or family yet it is important to have understanding and support. It can be helpful to talk to a trained person in confidence -Student Services, or the local Rape Crisis Centre.
Some Facts about Rape and Sexual Assault
The perpetrator of the rape may be, and often is, well known to the woman.
There is a myth that sexual violence is only carried out by strangers. In fact the majority of offences are committed by a man known to the woman. He may be a friend, a partner, a workmate, a relative, a neighbour or a person in authority.
Rape is not always accompanied by other physical violence.
When a woman is sexually assaulted she may react in various ways. Some women scream or fight back; many become quiet - too shocked to speak or cry out. Paralysed by fear, they may be unable to resist. If violence is threatened some may take the decision to struggle less in the hope of getting away with the least amount of physical harm. Consequently, they may or may not have torn clothes or signs of struggle afterwards. Verbal intimidation, threats or emotional blackmail may be used by the assailant. Therefore a woman does not need to show physical injuries to prove she has been assaulted.
Rape and sexual assault, whether by a stranger or a friend, is never the woman's fault.
Nothing that a woman has done can justify this sort of behaviour in return. Nothing.
Rape and sexual assault is always more about the use of force or power to humiliate, control, hurt or violate a woman than about sexual desire or passion. Some attacks are premeditated. The appearance of the woman in terms of status, age, cultural background, occupation, previous relationships is irrelevant; any woman can suffer sexual assault or rape.
Drug-Assisted Sexual Assault
Drug-Assisted Sexual Assault is becoming more common. Women may have consumed only a little alcohol but have felt drunk very quickly. They may have difficulty remembering what happened to them - empty spots in their memory cannot be filled. There may be injuries to their body that they cannot explain. During the time which is difficult to remember, there may be evidence of uncharacteristic behaviour. It may be that, although able to remember, the woman has been powerless to prevent it continuing.
The morning after can bring very frightening feelings of being out of control. The lack of ability to remember compounds the feelings of being victimised. Often women feel even less able to go to the Police because of the lack of memory and the fear of not appearing convincing.
What to do After a Rape or Assault
Individual women will react differently after sexual assault or rape. There are no rigid rules. Whatever you are feeling, it is important to try to keep your choices open as to what you might want to do as time progresses. You may not feel that you want to report the incident to the Police, but you may change your mind later and it is vital that all evidence has not been destroyed by that point. Talk it over with someone confidentially, but in the meantime, keep your options open.
Try not to shower or drink liquids until you feel a little more steady and able to take a decision regarding action. If you want to change your clothes, keep your old clothes in a sealed plastic bag. Write down all that you remember having happened and put this aside with the clothes. Add in any other evidence which you have - e.g. a condom, a glass which may contain any evidence of possible drugs. All this evidence can still be destroyed if you decide not to use it at a later date, but at least you will have evidence if you decide to proceed to the Police.
It is important to trust and validate your feelings and do what you need to do in order to recover. This may entail telling a friend, going to a place where you feel safe or crying. Student Services have a confidential interview system with trained Support Advisers who will allow you the space to think through your situation before any action is taken.
In order to cope with the trauma of the event many women will just try to carry on as normal and not tell anyone for a long time. However, often distress can surface a considerable time after the event. No matter how much later it is important to remember that you can always seek help from counsellors, GPs etc. Do not feel you have to cope on your own simply because you did not report the incident soon after it happened.
Health Issues
Many women who have been raped or sexually assaulted are understandably and correctly concerned about their health. Hospitals and GPs must see you on a confidential basis and not report the assault to the Police unless you request this.
You may decide to be tested for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases along with testing for drugs if you suspect that they might have been used. If you prefer not to use your GP there are clinics which offer free and confidential advice. There are two Genito-Urinary Clinic (The GUM Clinic) situated at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee and Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. Here testing is carried out for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV antibodies.
You may have bruising and other injuries that need immediate attention; this can be accessed by visiting the local Health Centre or casualty unit. It is important to remember though that the smallest piece of evidence can make a difference in a court case, so if you intend to report the attack to the police, investigations should be done by a police surgeon.
All students are welcome to come to the Wednesday SHACC clinic in Student Services (2pm - 5pm) to discuss any health issues with the Nursing Sister there on a drop-in basis and in complete confidence. Some testing can be carried out at this clinic and further referral arranged for the GUM clinic in Dundee or Kirkcaldy if this is agreed as necessary.
Reporting to the Police
Sexual violence is a criminal offence and you can, if you wish your perpetrator to be prosecuted, report the crime to the Police. It is your choice. You can do this later if you wish but the reason for reporting a sexual assault immediately is so that forensic evidence can be taken. Evidence will be collected by means of a medical examination by a police surgeon - who will be a GP employed part-time by the Police. In Fife, it is often difficult to ensure that a female Police Surgeon is on duty at all times, although you have the right to insist that the investigation be postponed until a female doctor is available. You have to be aware, however, that time delays can sometimes affect the evidence which would help with any prosecution and therefore the individual circumstances have to be weighed up by you at the particular time in question.
If the attack was physically violent the Police forensic team may also wish to visit the scene of the crime to collect more evidence.
When you go to the Police Station you can take someone with you, such as a friend or professional worker provided by Student Services. You will be interviewed by a Police Officer who has had special training (this would usually be a woman and you can specifically request this if you wish).
Today the Police are trained to use tact and sensitivity. No one has the right to ask you to disclose any personal details about your previous relationships and sexual relationships.
The Police may require clothing to be left for forensic examination. Therefore, it is a good idea to take a change of clothes with you.
If you are extremely traumatised after the assault you may arrange another time for a statement to be made. If English is not your first language the Police must arrange for an interpreter to be present. The Police Officer will explain Police procedures to you and give you advice and information of the next stages including the court process. In the University of St. Andrews, we work with a designated University/Police Liaison Officer who, whenever on duty, will offer this advice in a comfortable informal setting.
In line with other Universities, this University has a duty to report any crime of which it learns to the Police. This is particularly important when other students may be at risk. Therefore a member of the University staff cannot keep confidential information regarding rape and sexual assault unless they are working within a formal Student Support or medical setting. The University will support any student wishing to make a report to the local Police Station, with whom we have a good working relationship.
Student Services are not subject to this duty, and so do offer confidential support within their normal code of practice - e.g. support etc.
List of Contacts
Student Services
ASC For all services one-stop-shop
Daytime no. 462020
Out of Hours 476161 or 0 from an internal phone.
Doctors All numbers apply day or night
Surname A - Go 476840
Surname Go - Mc 477477
Surname N- Z 473441
SHACC Clinic
Wednesdays 2pm - 5pm, Fridays 1pm - 3pm
Student Services
2nd Floor, Students’ Union Building
Drop in or call (46)2720 to book an appointment.
Fife Rape & Sexual Assault Centre
FRASAC currently have an office in Kirkcaldy. But covers the whole of fife
29 Townsend Place
Kirkcaldy
Fife
KY1 1HB
Tel: 01592 642336
email: info@frasac.org.uk
http://www.frasac.org.uk/
RAPE CRISIS HELPLINE: 08088 01 03 02
Women’s Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre
Helpline: 01382 201 291
Opening times 2010:
Monday 12pm – 2pm
Tuesday 10am – 12noon
Wednesday 7pm-9pm
Thursday 9.30am-11.30am and 2pm – 4pm
Friday 7pm – 9pm
Email: wrasac@btconnect.com
Website: http://www.wrasacdundee.org/
Police
St Andrews Police Station
100 North Street, St Andrews, KY16 9AE
Tel: 418900
University Police Liaison Officer
Contactable through the Police Station or by contacting Student Services
Summary
You are not alone. Unfortunately, taking the whole spectrum from sexual harassment through to rape, this is not an uncommon experience for many, many women. Whether or not you wish to make a formal complaint, it is important that you talk about the assault with someone you can trust to keep the matter confidential. You may require assistance in coming to terms with what has happened to you. You need time and a safe space to understand that this is not your fault and you have ways of managing your life in order to feel safe once again.
Ailsa Ritchie
Student Services
Updated 21/7/10