HOW SEXUAL VIOLENCE
CAN IMPACT OUR LIVES
Abuse Counseling & Treatment, Inc.
ACT’s mission is to protect, support, and educate
victims of domestic violence and their children
and survivors of sexual violence and their families
in Lee, Hendry and Glades counties.
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About our Rape Crisis Center
About our Services
Mandatory Reporting and confidentiality
24 hour hotline: 239-939-2553
Group Rules
Keep Confidentiality
 Treat yourself and others with respect
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◦ Discussion encouraged: cross talking and notewriting is not.
Share information about yourself only
during group.
 Everyone has the right to express their
opinion regardless of whether we agree
with them or not.
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What will we learn today?
Definitions of sexual violence and rape
 Prevalence of rape
 Dispelling the Myths
 Symptoms of survivors
 Survivor mechanisms (healthy vs. unhealthy)
 Risk Reduction
 What can we do (discussion)
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DEFINITIONS
What is Rape?
Rape is an It is a crime of violence that uses sex as a
weapon.
Florida Statute 794.011 refers to rape as sexual battery,
stating:
"Sexual battery is the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration
by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the
anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other
object."
 Consent cannot be given by anyone who is physically
helpless, mentally impaired, or under the influence of
narcotics or other intoxicating substances.
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What are other kinds
of sexual violence?
We cannot change
what we don’t know about!
What’s really going on?
PREVALENCE
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Sexual assault is one of the most under reported crimes, with 60%
still being left unreported.
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Males are the least likely to report a sexual assault, though they
make up about 10% of all victims.
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Approximately 2/3 of rapes were committed by someone
known to the victim.
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73% of sexual assaults were perpetrated by a non-stranger.
38% of rapists are a friend or acquaintance.
28% are an intimate.
7% are a relative.
Victims of sexual assault are:3
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3 times more likely to suffer from depression.
6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
13 times more likely to abuse alcohol.
26 times more likely to abuse drugs.
4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.
1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an
attempted or completed rape in her lifetime.
About 3% of American men — or 1 in 33 — have experienced an
attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.
What Kind of a Problem is
Sexual Violence?
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Public Health Problem
(large scale problem that has a wide effect)
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Violation of Human Rights
(Violates the right to control their own bodies)
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Profoundly traumatic personal experience
(impacting every aspect of survivor’s lives)
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HOW?
Rape effects more than the survivor
Society
Community
Relationship
Individual
THE COSTS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE
The Costs of Sexual Violence Impacts us All
 Individuals - Inability/loss of friendships and
romantic relationships, depression, sexual
dysfunction, hospitalization, suicide disability, lower
level of functioning
 Relationships – Divorce, separation,
psychological effects impacting the relationship,
loss of income
 Society – health care costs to government,
individuals and insurance companies, loss of income,
in and outpatient psychiatric costs, lost days of work,
jail and court costs, loss of productivity and disability
cost.
Rape Myths
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No really means yes.
Rape, sexual abuse, or incest is just a way of life for
women in some cultures.
Women love to be swept off their feet and be taken by force.
She was “asking for it”
Real men don’t get raped
Most rapes are by strangers
You can tell who “wants it” by the way they are dressed
It’s no big deal, it’s just sex
WHAT OTHERS CAN YOU THINK OF?
Our society has done a
fantastic job of teaching
the rape survivor to
blame herself/himself for
another person’s
violence.
Rape is NEVER the victim’s fault!
Rape is an act of violence and aggression and
is usually about power and control over
another person. Sex is the weapon!
Sometimes people make poor safety
choices…. That does not give someone else
the right to hurt them!
VIOLENCE IS ALWAYS A CHOICE
The victim’s only goal is to survive.
Sometimes cooperation is required for survival.
Cooperation to survive does NOT equal consent
CONSENT VS. COOPERATION
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Consent: Equal power, both people agree to be there, either can leave or choose not to
participate in certain sexual acts.
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Cooperation: Doing as you are told to avoid consequences. Victim believes her/his
life/physical well-being is in grave danger. This belief may/may not come from spoken
threats, but the implied threat of what may come next. Often if a victim cooperates it is
not viewed as rape, such as the use of a condom, telling attacker what he/she wants to
hear, etc.
Example of Cooperation vs. Consent
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A man walks into a bank and slides a note to a bank teller that says, "give me all your
money, or else". The teller cooperates with him by giving him all the money in her drawer,
even though there is no visible weapon, and no verbal threats have been spoken. Does
this mean that the teller/bank wasn’t robbed? Does this mean that the teller
conspired with the bank robber to rob the bank?
UNIQUENESS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AS A
CRIMINAL VIOLATION
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The violation of “self” that causes trauma in crime victims is a
subjective injury, unique to each individual.
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The majority of victims are in fear for their life, even if they know
the assailant.
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The crime is often intended to be as degrading and dehumanizing as
possible, and that has a lasting negative effect.
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Due to the nature of the trauma, most survivors will remember
more about the attack next week, next month….etc.
It is the only crime in which consent and
degree of resistance are issues.
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In most other crimes, no one asks…
What were you wearing?
 Why did you go there, get in the car, leave
your window open, etc.?
 Did you scream, yell, fight back?
 Were you drinking/drugs?
 Did you know the person?
 Are you sure that’s what happened?
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TWO MOST COMMON RESPONSES
IMMEDIALEY FOLLOWING RAPE
Expressed
demonstrating anger, fear, and anxiety through restlessness, crying or
sobbing, tense posture and other signs such as hand wringing, and
seemingly inappropriate smiling or laughing. Inappropriate
laughter or smiling is common…it is an automatic response to
trauma.
Controlled
hiding or masking feelings. Exterior pose is calm, composed or
subdued. Survivor may appear very deliberate in every action.
Someone has just had complete control of their body…their main
goal is to regain control. This survivor mechanism may “look” as
if the rape was “no big deal”.
EITHER ONE OF THESE REACTIONS CAN CONFUSE THOSE
TRYING TO HELP INCLUDING FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Symptoms of Survivors (both female and male)
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Nightmares / sleep disturbances
Substance Abuse
Panic Attacks
Irritability/Anger
Difficulty Concentrating and focusing
Impaired memory/Memory loss
Sexual dysfunction
Phobic / Compulsive behaviors
Hyper-vigilance (always being “on your guard”
Exaggerated “startle response”
Depression
Disassociation (zoning out)
 Anorexia / Bulimia / Overeating (Eating disorders)
 “Cutting” / Self-mutilation
 Anger: distance = safety
 Difficulty with relationships- triggers
 Flashbacks
 Promiscuity , Risky behavior/poor safety choices
 Distorted Thinking patterns to regain control
 Engage in sex very soon after rape
 Don’t want sex, be uncomfortable with sex (even with
someone they trust)
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Orgasm during rape – guilt – confusion – sexual identity issues
Extreme independence/isolation
Triggers / Sights, sounds, smells, feelings: Re-experiencing
sensations, feelings from the assault
Doubt one’s own judgment, feel responsible
Feeling dirty, humiliated, devalued
Self-blame and shame
Based on misconceptions about rape
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Numbing/Apathy (detachment, loss of caring)
Social Withdrawal
Restricted affect (inability to express emotions)
Loss of security, trust in others and the world
Suicidal ideation
Drug Facilitated Rape
Is alcohol a date rape drug?
Any drug that can affect judgment and behavior can put a
person at risk for unwanted or risky sexual activity.
Alcohol is one such drug. In fact, alcohol is the drug most
commonly used to help commit sexual assault. When a
person drinks too much alcohol:
It's harder to think clearly.
It's harder to set limits and make good choices.
It's harder to tell when a situation could be
dangerous.
 It's harder to say "no" to sexual advances.
 It's harder to fight back if a sexual assault occurs.
 It's possible to blackout and to have memory loss.
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ROHYPNOL a.k.a. “roofies”
Rohypnol (roh-HIP-nol). Rohypnol is the trade name for flunitrazepam (FLOO-neye-TRAZuh-pam). Abuse of two similar drugs appears to have replaced Rohypnol abuse in some
parts of the United States. These are: clonazepam (marketed as Klonopin in the U.S.and
Rivotril in Mexico) and alprazolam (marketed as Xanax). Rohypnol Rohypnol is 7 - 10
times stronger than Valium.
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Muscle relaxation or loss of muscle control
Difficulty with motor movements
Drunk feeling
Problems talking
Nausea
Can't remember what happened while drugged
Loss of consciousness (black out)
Confusion
Loss of consciousness (black out)
Confusion
Problems seeing
Dizziness
Sleepiness
Lower blood pressure
Stomach problems
Death
GHB - GAMMA HYDROXY BUTYRATE
GHB is a central nervous system depressant that is illegally manufactured in the U.S.
GHB is a clear liquid or a sticky white powder. GHB can be tasteless, odorless, colorless, but more
often has a slight tinge of brown or yellow and can make a drink taste slightly metallic.
Effects include:
- feelings of extreme intoxication
- nausea and dizziness
- vomiting
- intense drowsiness
- tremors
- unsteady balance and slurred speech
-antereograde amnesia (memory loss for events following ingestion)
-Problems seeing
-Loss of consciousness (black out)
-Seizures Problems breathing
-Tremors
-sweating
-Vomiting
-Slow heart rate
-Dream-like feeling
-Coma
-Death
ECSTASY
While not classified as a “date rape drug”, many survivors were raped while
using ecstasy.
Psychological difficulties:
 Confusion
 Depression
 Sleep problems
 Severe anxiety
 Paranoia (during & sometimes weeks after use)
Physical Symptoms:
Muscle tension
Nausea
Blurred vision
Involuntary teeth clenching
Faintness
Rapid eye movement
Chills or sweating
Rash that looks like acne
SUBSTANCE ABUSING SURVIVORS
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75% of men and 55% of women involved in acquaintance
rapes reported using alcohol or other drugs prior to the
incident. As a result…
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AUTOMATICALLY DISTRUSTFUL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR
DRUG/ALCOHOL USE.
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MORE LIKELY TO LIE ABOUT DRUG USE
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SUBSTANCE ABUSERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO END UP IN SITUATIONS “OUT OF
THEIR CONTROL”
◦ STRANGE PEOPLE
◦ STRANGE PLACEs
◦ UNSUBSTANTIATED TRUST IN INDIVIDUALS
MANY PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THOSE USING SUBSTANCES, MAY MAKE POOR SAFETY
CHOICES.
REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION AND THE SUBSTANCE USE,
NO ONE DESERVES TO BE RAPED.
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These symptoms are the most common
ones as reported by researchers,
therapists, and victims. Rarely anyone will
have all of the symptoms, and some may
have very few, but the fact remains, the
after effects do not usually go away with
time, they worsen until something is done
about them.
SEXUAL ASSAULT RISK REDUCTION TIPS
KNOW YOUR LIMITS AND BELIEVE IN YOUR LIMITS.
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, STOP AND TALK
ABOUT IT.
Communicate your limits clearly. Tell them quickly, firmly, and
clearly. Polite approaches may be ignored or misunderstood. Say
"No" when you mean "No.”
 Talk with each other. Communication is the key to a good
relationship. Don't assume your date will know how you feel or
will eventually get the message.
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Be aware of (your date's) actions. Pay attention to
behaviors that are not respectful of you. Even the
simple things --like put-downs, making all the
decisions, or constantly teaching you. This may mean
he does not respect your decisions or boundaries.
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Make a scene if you feel threatened. Trust your
intuition. If you feel you are being pressured, say so.
Don't worry about a few minutes of embarrassment
or awkwardness. They will pass. Stick with your
friends at parties or get-togethers. Use the "buddy
system."
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Avoid using alcohol or other drugs. They interfere
with your ability to think, act, or communicate clearly.
LOOK FOR WARNING SIGNS
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ignores your personal boundaries
does not listen to what you say
is jealous and possessive of you and your time
gets upset when you don't do what they want
tries to make you feel guilty to get their way
is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
pressures you to do alcohol or drugs
insists you go some place alone or apart from
others
accuses you of being tight or frigid when you say
"no"
IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE BEING
PRESSURED...
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Try to stay calm. It's easier to think that way.
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Be assertive. Clearly say that you are
uncomfortable and want to leave or want the
behavior to stop.
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If possible, look for ways to escape. If it doesn't
work, resist as long as it is safe for you to do so. If
it is too dangerous to, stop. Submission does not
mean consent.
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Don't worry about being nice or hurting the
other person's feelings -- think about your safety.
What are some ways our society
either ignores or promotes
sexual violence?
What are some ways our society either ignores or promotes sexual
violence?
1. ______________________________________________________________________
What impact does that have on us as individual and our relationships?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2.______________________________________________________________________
What impact does that have on us as individual and our relationships?
______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3.._______________________________________________________________________
What impact does that have on us as individuals and our relationships?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What are some Things I can do
to reduce Sexual Violence in
my community?
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP REDUCE SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN OUR
COMMUNITY?
1. ______________________________________________________________________
What impact does that have on us as an individual, our relationships and our community?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2.______________________________________________________________________
What impact does that have on us as an individual, our relationships and our community ?
____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
3.._______________________________________________________________________
What impact does that have on us as an individual, our relationships and our community?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
If you are hurting, we are here
for you.
ABUSE COUNSELIING & TREATMENT, INC.
239-939-3112 (24-hr hotline)
239-939-2553 (Administration)
Services are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL for
survivors of domestic and sexual violence
REFERENCES
U.S. Department of Justice.2005 National Crime Victimization Study. 2005.
National Institute of Justice & Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Prevalence,
Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey. 1998.
World Health Organization. 2002.
All Psych Journal, Survivors of Sexual Abuse: The Gift of Empowerment, Christopher L.
Heffner, Psy.D. May 15, 2002
Information provided by the Greater New Haven Sexual Assault Crisis Services at The
Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis, 131 Dwight St. New Haven, CT 06511
Gift From Within www.giftfromwithin.org An International Organization for Survivors
of Trauma and Victimization
Dart Foundation www.ptsdinfo.org
To read Voices of Courage: Inspiration from Survivors of Sexual Assault, download the
eBook.
CDC Sexual Violence Fact Sheet www.cdc.gov
http://www.womenshealth.gov
www.actabuse.com
www.rainn.org
HOW SEXUAL VIOLENCE
IMPACTS OUR LIVES
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SEXUAL VIOLENCE IMPACTS OUR LIVES TRAINING and I have read and
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SEXUAL VIOLENCE IMPACTS OUR LIVES TRAINING. I will receive a
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