Rape
Rape occurs when a person forces another to have sexual intercourse against their will.
Over half of all reported rapes occur between people who know each other - friends, people who know each other well. People are raped at school, parties, dances, on dates, in dorms, in cars, at the beach, in their homes and in the homes of acquaintances.
Victims can be all ages, children, teens and adults - they can be male or female, they can be single, married, or newly single.
The common element shared by all is sexual victimization by someone unknown or known and often trusted. Offenders can be friends, neighbours, casual dates - anyone who coerces another into unwanted sexual contact.If someone tells you they have been raped:
- Listen....what you say is not as important as your willingness to listen.
- Help remove feelings of guilt....be sure your friend understands that he/she is not to blame, that it is not his/her fault.
- Believe....one of the most hurtful things that can happen to a victim is not to be believed. Believe what your friend is telling you.
- Support....lots of decisions have to be made - like whom to tell, what to do. Let your friend be in control of those decisions and support him/her.
- Show that you care....just be there. Don't reject your friend.
- If you have been raped:
- Do not wash or bathe until you have been examined by a doctor.Keep any clothes that were worn during the rape for evidence...do not wash them or throw them away.Call a close friend or relative to support you.Call the police.
- Go to hospital to get tested for STD's and pregnancy, treated for any physical injuries and to get evidence collected in case you decide to press charges.
