• Sexual assault is any kind of sexual contact against a person's will and without consent. It can be accomplished by direct force, threats of force, manipulation, or trickery. This includes rape, inappropriate touching, or sexual harassment.

• Lack of consent can occur by saying "no," or if the victim is unable to give consent (i.e. fears for their personal safety, intoxicated, etc.) Also age, mental impairment, or incarceration can limit the ability of a person to give consent. Consent is given when a capable adult, under no pressure from their partner, affirms they want to engage in a certain behavior. Consent is limited to that behavior only.

• In the state of Indiana, rape refers to intercourse without consent. Sexual assault refers to a broader range of sexual behaviors including unwanted touching or sexual harassment.

• Get to a safe place.  Your safety is most important!
• Contact someone who can help you:
  • Police: 911 or 855-1111
  • BSU Victim's Advocate: 285-7844 (Michele Cole)
  • The Counseling Center: 285-1736 (business hours or 747-1330 (after-hours)
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
  • A friend
• Get medical attention.  Even with no physical injuries, it is important to determine the risks of STD's and pregnancy.
• If you want to take legal action:
  • BSU's Victim Advocate can help you through this process
  • To preserve forensic evidence, ask the hospital to conduct a rape kit exam.  This must be done within 72 hours of the occurrence of the assault.
  • If you suspect that you may have been drugged, ask that a urine sample be collected.  The sample will need to be analyzed later on by a forensic lab.
  • Write down everything that you remember happening, with as much detail as possible.  This can help with your own healing process and in any legal action you might decide to take.
• If you don't want to press charges…
  • You can still have a rape kit done, in case you change your mind later about taking legal action
  • You can also contact the BSU Ombudsperson (285-1545), who can discuss your options about taking action through the university rather than the legal system
• Recognize that healing from rape takes time.  Give yourself the time you need. 
• Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, operated by RAINN, for free, confidential counseling, 24 hours a day: 1-800-656-HOPE; www.rainn.org

• Sexual assault is a traumatic event that causes a person to feel as though all control has been ripped away from them.  Survivors of sexual assault experience a wide variety of reactions to this traumatic event.  There are no "normal" responses to a sexual assault.  There are, however, some common reactions reported by survivors of this traumatic event. 
• Survivors of sexual assault may experience certain physical reactions to this traumatic event.  Several common physical reactions include:
  • Disruptions in appetite (eating too much/too little, not feeling hungry, etc.)
  • Changes in sleeping patterns, difficulties falling asleep, having nightmares
  • Feeling shocked, numb, or detached from reality
  • Feeling ill or nauseous
  • Having difficulties concentrating
  • Drinking excessively or using drugs
  • Engaging in self harming behaviors
  • Feeling dissociated from the event
  • Inability to remember details of the event
• Survivors of sexual assault may also experience certain psychological reactions including:
  • Feeling depressed
  • Feeling anxious or jittery
  • A lack of interest in things that once made them happy
  • Feeling moody
  • Feeling extremely worried about their safety
  • Reexperiencing previous traumas or having flashbacks from the recent trauma
  • Experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Feeling guilty or shameful
  • Feeling embarrassed
  • Avoiding things or people associated with the trauma
  • Feeling extremely angry, frustrated, or confused about what happened
  • Fear of "being damaged" or worthless
  • Feeling responsible for the assault
  • Blocking details of the event from one's mind
  • Denying anything actually happened
• Survivors of sexual assault may also experience certain social reactions including:
  • Withdrawal from family or friends
  • Difficulties in interpersonal or romantic relationships
  • Difficulties trusting others
  • Discomfort with sex
  • Decline in academic or work performance
  • Becoming angry with others more easily
  • Difficulty in forming new relationships
• Again, it is important to note that these are common reactions that people who have recently survived a sexual assault may experience.  Each survivor will experience the assault differently and have different reactions to it.  It is important to realize that these are "normal" reactions to an "abnormal", traumatic event.  

• A Better Way Crisis & Information
  PO Box 734
  Muncie, IN
  765-288-4357
  765-747-9107 Administration & Crisis Line
  800-347-1144 Toll free
  
• Ball State Counseling Center
  Lucina Hall
  Muncie, IN 47304
  765-285-1736
  24-hour Crisis Line: 765-747-7330
  
• Ball State Victim's Advocate:
  Michele Cole 285-7844
  Health Center, Room 210
  
• Family Counseling Service
  806 W. Jackson St.
  Muncie, IN
  765-284-7789
  
• Madison Clinic
  2911 N. Oakwood Ave
  Muncie, IN 47304
  
• Madison County Sexual Assault Treatment Program
  1515 N. Madison Ave
  Anderson, IN 46011
  765-289-5598
  
• Meridian (formerly Comprehensive Mental Health Services) Access Center
  240 N. Tillotson Ave
  Muncie, IN 47304
  765-288-1928
  765-286-1695 After-hours Emergency
  800-333-2647 Toll free after-hours emergency
  
• Victim Advocate Program
  Muncie Police Department
  300 N. High Street
  Muncie, IN 47305
  765-747-4777

• In addition to its effects on the victim, rape profoundly affects family members and other loved ones.  Partners of victims may have a particularly difficult time coming to terms with what has happened.  Yet, a partner is in a unique position to help a victim deal with the consequences of such a traumatic event, and thereby assist the loved one in making the transition from victim to survivor.  Below are some helpful hints for becoming an ally to your loved one. 

• Know the Facts
  Rape:
  • Is an act of violence
  • Is frightening, degrading, and occurs without consent
  • Is NEITHER invited NOR enjoyed
  • Is NOT the victim's fault

• Help with Immediate Concerns:
  The survivor needs:
  • To be believed
  • To be allowed to make decisions about what s/he does and does not want to do
  • Assistance in seeking medical attention
  • Assistance in reporting the incident to the police- if s/he chooses to do so

• Be a Partner in Healing

          Do:

          -Communicate acceptance and compassion
          -Listen: Be available to discuss the experience when the survivor is ready
          -Provide physical comfort when needed
          -Discuss rape myths when the survivor is ready.  These may play on her/his
            mind just as they do on yours
          -Play a supportive role.  This  helps her/him to regain a sense of control over
            her/his life.
          -Assist your loved one in getting counseling if needed.
          -Reassure her/him of your love and that, together, you will endure this crisis.
          -Channel your anger in non-destructive ways such as talking openly about
            your feelings or educating others about the recovery process.
          -Take care of your own needs.  Doing so helps your partner give permission
            to her/himself to do the same.

          Don't:

          -Blame the victim.  Doing so prolongs recovery and creates a distance in the
            relationship.
          -Ask "why" questions which only serve to convey judgment and blame.
          -Pressure her/him to recount the details of the event.  S/he will do so if/when
            ready.
          -"Take charge" of a loved one's healing process. Doing so will likely
            undermine her/his sense of control.
          -Trivialize the experience by joking about it.
          -Tell the survivor to "get over it" or "just try to forget about it."
          -Be consumed by your anger.  This has several unintended consequences,
            none of which are helpful:  Anger…
                    -Shifts the attention from the survivors needs to your needs
                    -Blocks communication
                    -Is easily misinterpreted as anger toward the survivor

• Summary:
  Partners of loved ones who have been raped play a crucial role in the trauma recovery process.  It is vital to provide a safe, accepting environment in which the survivor can release painful feelings.  By letting the survivor know that you trust in her/his ability to recover, you empower her/him to overcome the pain.  As the healing process proceeds, it is recommended that you resume joint, pleasurable activities which brought you closer together in the past.  Be patient: Complete resolution may take months or years.  Finally, for your own well-being, it is recommended that you find a trusted friend, confidant, or group to whom you can vent your own pent-up feelings. 

• How often does rape or sexual assault happen?
  • In 2005 more than 300,000 women and 90,000 men reported being raped in the past 12 months.
  • 1 in 4 women ages 15 – 23 will be a victim of rape or attempted rape.
  • 1 in 10 men will be a victim of sexual assault.
    
• Can we prevent rape by avoiding attackers or dangerous places?
  • 85% of rape victims know their attackers.
  • 57% of acquaintance rapes happen while on dates.
  • Nearly 6 out of 10 sexual assaults occur at the victim's home or the home of a friend, relative, or neighbor.
  • 16% of male college students who committed rape took part in episodes that involved more than one attacker.
    
• How often is rape reported truthfully?
  • According to the FBI, 98% of rape allegations turn out to be true.
  • 42% of rape survivors never tell anyone about the incident.
  • Only 5% report the attack to the police
    
• What are the consequences of rape?
  • Rape victims are more likely than non-victims interviewed to be in poor health, abuse drugs, express low satisfaction with life and depression, and think about suicide.
  • Approximately 5% of rapes result in pregnancy.
  • 1 in 15 women contract a sexually transmitted disease from their attacker.