A Pinal County resource for all individuals who have experienced sexual violence.
STATISTICS
- Every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted,*
- 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her life time (14.8% completed, 2.8% atempted),
- About 3% of American men or 1 out of every 33 have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime,**
- Men and women who experience sexual violence may experience PTSD, sleeping issues, chronic pain, poor physical and mental health.
*Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2010-2014 (2015)
**National Institute of Justice & Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey
WHAT CAN I DO IF I'VE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED?
Talk to someone. Talk with a trusted and safe friend or family member. Call Against Abuse, Inc.'s crisis line or make an appointment to talk with a sexual assault advocate.
If you choose you can request a sexual assault medical forensic exam or visit the nearest Family Advocacy Center (FAC). A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) can help you by providing a head to toe examination, collecting evidence, documenting injuries, providing resources and providing expert testimony. This exam may address both your physical and emotional traumas from a sexual assault. Eloy FAC: (520) 866-7500 or San Tan Valley FAC: (520) 866-7020
File a police report. If you choose, AAI can hellp you contact law enforcement to file a police report. If you are interested in prosecution a police report is the first step.
This project was supported by Grant No. 2016-KF-AZ-0044 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, United States Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
HOW CAN I HELP SOMEONE I KNOW WHO HAS BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED?
- Inform them about AAI's sexual assault services,
- Believe that they have been sexually assaulted,
- Ask how you can help,
- Be a good listener,
- Allow time for silence,
- Remind them the assault is not their fault,
- Maintain their need for privacy,
- Respect their choices even if you disagree,
- Encourage them to seek medical attention,
- Avoid victim blaming and judgements,
- Avoid hugging or physical contact unless they ask you for it,
- Understand your own feelings and seek services for yourself.
WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?
Sexual assault can happen to anyone: men, women, children and those who identify as LGBTQ+.
- Sexual assault is any unwanted oral, anl or vaginal contact without consent. Verbal threats, fear or intimidation can be tactics used to sexually assault someone,
- When the victim or survivor is physically or mentally incapacitated, intoxicated, impaired, unconscious or asleep,
- When there is the use of coercion, physical force, deception or threats.
RESOURCES
Against Abuse, Inc. sexual assault services are free, confidential and inclusive. AAI provides sexual assault services to adults and children:
- 24-Hour Crisis Line: (520) 836-0858,
- Emergency shelter,
- Safety planning,
- Lay Legal Advocacy,
- Assistance with Victim's Compensation applications,
- Medical forensic exam accompaniment,
- Sexual Assault crisis intervention,
- Sexual assault education for survivors and their families,
- Sexual assault educational peer support groups in English and Spanish.
ARIZONA RESOURCES
- Pinal County Sheriff's Office (520) 866-6800 or (800) 420-8689,
- ACESDV (Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence) (602) 279-2900 www.acesdv.org
NATIONAL RESOURCE
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) (800) 656-HOPE (4673) www.rainn.org