Sexual Assault
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual Assault is an act that stems from aggression, rage entitlement and the determination to exercise power and sexual control over someone else. Sexual Assault happens to anyone, regardless of age, race, class, sexual orientation, or gender.
Knowing the Facts about Sexual Assault in Comal County:
Everyone should have the right to live free of Sexual Violence, fear, dominance, and inequality. As a community, we must fight to erase and avoid the shame and silence of those who have experienced sexual assault. In 2015 the Crisis Center assisted 143 Victims of sexual assault, 28 of which were children. The Crisis Center of Comal County assisted sexual assault victims in 2015 by providing 4,124 Nights of shelter to victims of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence.
What You Should Know About Sexual Assault:
Sexual assault is a crime motivated by a need to control, humiliate, and harm. Perpetrators use sexual assault as a weapon to hurt and dominate others. Sexual assault is forced or coerced sexual contact without consent. Consent is the presence of a clear yes, not the absence of a no. It can take the form of:
Rape
Incest
Child Sexual Abuse/Molestation
Oral sex
Harassment
Exposing/flashing
Forcing a person to pose for sexual pictures
Fondling or unwanted sexual touching above and under clothing
Force which may include but is not limited to:
Use or display of a weapon
Physical battering
Immobilization of the victim
How Can I Help?
It can be challenging to know how or what to do to help a friend or family member who has been sexually assaulted. Here are some tips on what to do when helping a victim of sexual assault:
DO allow him/her to tell you as much or as little as he/she needs to
DO be sensitive.
DO remind them it is not their fault
DO honor the victim’s autonomy
DO try to understand
DO offer resources that may be able to help
The Crisis Center of Comal County empowers survivors and victims by providing:
24/7 Crisis Hot-Line
Counseling
Legal Advocacy
24/7 Victim Advocacy
Community and Professional Education
24 Hour Emergency Shelter
Case Management
Helpful links and resources:
Crisis Center of Comal County Teen Dating Violence Guide
Dating Violence occurs when a person physically, sexually, emotionally, or verbally abuses another person in the context of a dating relationship, when one or both of them is a minor.
Dating Violence does not discriminate. It can occur in casual dating relationship and long term relationships, heterosexual and homosexual relationships.
Dealing with Cyberstalking: How to Lock Down Your Digital Privacy
Online stalking (cyberstalking) is carried out in the digital world using a variety of methods. We discuss this problem in detail and reveal how you can improve your online privacy.
Exploring technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women.
National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence
The NCDSV designs, provides, and customizes training and consultation; influences policy, promotes collaboration; and enhances diversity with the goal of ending domestic and sexual violence.
National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault (SCESA)
SCESA was born out of a desire for Women of Color in the anti-sexual assault movement across the country to reclaim their leadership and ensure inclusion of their experiences in ending sexual assault.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center serves as the nation’s principle information and resource center regarding all aspects of sexual violence. It provides national leadership, consultation and technical assistance by generating and facilitating the development and flow of information on sexual violence intervention and prevention strategies. The NSVRC works to address the causes and impact of sexual violence through collaboration, prevention efforts and the distribution of resources.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
RAINN is America’s only national sexual assault hotline. Through a network of 853 member rape crisis hotlines, the free and confidential hotline provides help 24 hours a day. RAINN can also connect you to the sexual assault program in your geographic area.
This website provides vital information about recovering from and reporting sexual assault. Specially trained Safe Helpline staff will offer one-on-one advice, support, and information to the worldwide Department of Defense community. The service is anonymous, secure, and available 24/7. Operated by RAINN through a contract with the Department of Defense’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
TAASA is the membership organization for sexual assault programs throughout the state. This site provides sexual assault statistics and information for Texas and the United States.
STD Prevention and Testing: How to Talk to Your Teen
According to the CDC, half of all new STDs acquired in the U.S. are in young people aged 15 to 24. This resource helps parents inform their teen about STD risk, prevention, and testing so that they have the information they need to make healthy choices.
The mission of 1in6.org is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives. This includes providing resources for people who care about them.
Male Survivor is committed to preventing, healing, and eliminating all forms of sexual victimization of boys and men through support, treatment, research, education, advocacy, and activism.
A Call to Men is a leading national men’s organization addressing men’s violence against women, and the eradication of sexism, while maintaining strong coalitions with women’s organizations already doing this important work. They help to organize communities in order to raise awareness and get men involved in ending violence against women. A Call to Men believes that ending violence against women is primarily the responsibility of men.
Men Can Stop Rape mobilizes male youth to prevent men’s violence against women. They build young men’s capacity to challenge harmful aspects of traditional masculinity, to value alternative visions of male strength, and to embrace their vital role as allies with women and girls in fostering healthy relationships and gender equity.