Breaking the Silence: Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault is any non-consensual sexual contact. This includes any unwanted touching, forced or coerced sexual activity and any sexual contact with a child. Sexual assault can happen to anyone - women and men of any age, race, sexual orientation, religion or profession.

Rape and Sexual assault are crimes of violence and power. The perpetrator of sex crimes can be a stranger, acquaintance or someone you trust. Sexual assault is never the victim's fault. No one asks to be raped. Often people will blame the victim: what she wore, where she was or what she was doing. The only one responsible for the assault is the perpetrator.

The impact of sexual assault can be traumatic to the victim. There are a wide range of reactions with one thing in common... they are all normal feelings: anger, shame, guilt fear, nightmares, depression, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, problems sleeping and eating, feeling unsafe.

If it happens to you:

• Call 911 or call VIBS Hotline (631) 360-3606 for an Emergency Room Companion (rape crisis counselor) to accompany you to the emergency room.
• Go to the emergency rooms of Peconic Bay Medical Center, Good Samaritan or John T. Mather Hospitals to access a SANE Center, or call 911 for the Suffolk County Police.
• Avoid showering, changing clothes, eating or drinking before the examination; these activities can wash away evidence.
• Participation in a sexual assault examination at a SANE Center is confidential, voluntary and free of charge.
• You do not have to decide to press charges right away. At the SANE Centers the evidence can be stored for 30 days while you decide.

Get support. Surround yourself with people you trust. Call VIBS for free and confidential counseling and legal advocacy.