sexual violence program

The YWCA Sexual Violence Program offers free comprehensive crisis services for victims of sexual assault (over 12 years of age) and their families. The YWCA Sexual Violence Program is the only certified sexual violence program serving the Greater Richmond area.

 

The Program provides the following services, (a) individual and group counseling, (b) access to a 24-hour hotline, (c) 24-hour hospital accompaniment, (d) court accompaniment, (e) emergency shelter, if needed, and (f) referrals to other services, as needed. YWCA staff persons facilitate sexual violence support groups and individual counseling at our downtown location and confidential locations throughout the community. 

 

what is sexual violence?

Sexual violence is defined as any unwanted sexual contact. This contact can range from verbal behavior to forced intercourse. Some examples of sexual assault include sexual harassment, indecent exposure, sexual battery, molestation, incest, sodomy, and rape.

 

 

A behavior is sexually violent if consent has not been given. Consent is not just permission, but permission that is intelligently and freely given. This means that if someone is being threatened or intimidated, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or is underage, that person cannot consent to sexual activity. Sexual violence can occur between strangers or between people that know each other. In fact, sometimes the perpetrator is a close friend, significant other, or even a family member. Sexual violence does not discriminate: anyone can be a victim, regardless of race, gender, age, socioeconomic status or education level.

what to do if you have been sexually assaulted:

Call the YWCA 24-hour hotline for help at 804-643-0888

• Get to a safe place and contact someone you trust - a friend or family member

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and injuries are all concerns for the sexual violence survivor. Evidence collection (to be used if you press charges) will also take place at this time. It is important that you do not bathe, douche, or change clothes after the assault in order to keep physical evidence intact. (Evidence may be collected up to 72 hours after the assault.)

• Contact the YWCA hotline at 643-0888 for support and crisis intervention. A hospital advocate can meet you at the hospital. She will provide emotional support and information about your rights as a victim.

• Call the police and report the crime as soon as possible. If you are uncomfortable reporting, you may want to consider an anonymous report.

• Keep in mind, it is never too late to seek help for sexual violence issues. Even if the violence occurred years ago, you can still benefit from YWCA counseling.

why did this happen to me?

You may be wondering why you were singled out as a victim. You may even be blaming yourself for what happened. It is critical for you to realize that it is not your fault! No matter what you did or said, what you were wearing, or where you went, you did not deserve to be sexually assaulted. Nothing you did justifies the violence perpetrated against you.

 

Sexual assault is an aggressive act: it is about power, control and anger, not about sexuality, passion or lust. You did not cause the perpetrator's inappropriate and criminal behavior. You were a victim but you are also a survivor. You must learn not to feel guilty. You have the right to survive.

 

What to do if a friend has been assaulted

LISTEN
Be supportive and non-judgmental. Concentrate on letting the person express her/himself rather than asking lots of questions or offering advice immediately.

BELIEVE
Accept what you hear. This is not the time for cross-examination. Your job is to offer emotional support, not to justify the actions of the rapist or to question the victim's story.

REASSURE
It is important that you do not add to the guilt that the victim is already feeling by blaming him/her for the assault. Let her know that he/she is not to blame. He/She also needs to know that they are still a valuable, worthwhile person and that the rape does not change that.

ENCOURAGE
Suggest seeking medical attention and calling the police. Urge him/her to call the YWCA hotline at 804-643-0888 for support and information. Watch out for the tendency to make decisions for her - he/she must make their own decisions. Be supportive without "taking over." He/she will regain her sense of control and security over time.

myths about sexual violence

MYTH: Women are usually raped by strangers on a dark city street.

FACT: In Virginia, 53% of rapes are committed in the victim's home.

FACT: 85% of all rapes are committed by acquaintances, friends or relatives.

MYTH: Rapes most often involve a black man raping a white woman.
FACT: This situation represents 3% of all rapes.
FACT: In over 90% of rapes, the rapist chooses a victim from the same race and socio-economic background.

MYTH: Women often "cry rape" when they really haven't been.
FACT: 2% of all rapes are false reports which is no more than in the reporting of other felonies.

MYTH: Women provoke rape or "ask for it" by the way they act or dress.
FACT: No one asks to be raped. Rape is a violent crime that is neither pleasant nor desirable.
FACT: No woman's behavior or dress gives a man the right to rape her. Under no circumstances does a woman relinquish her right to say "NO" to any level of sexual intimacy.

MYTH: Rapists are driven by sexual desire.
FACT: Rapists are driven by their desire to commit violence. Rape gratifies their desire to control another person.
FACT: Rapists are often married or have a steady sexual partner.

sexual violence statistics

In fiscal year 2006, the YWCA of Richmond provided crisis intervention, counseling, and or hospital accompaniment services to 241 victims of sexual violence. 

• In Virginia, 28% of women and 13% of men have experienced sexual violence as a child or as an adult. (Virginia Department of Health, 2005)

• Every five and a half minutes, another American is sexually assaulted. (FBI, 2004)

• Sixty-one percent of rapes and sexual assaults go unreported. (U.S. Justice Department, 2004)

• About 2/3 of sexual violence is committed by someone who is known to the victim. (National Crime Victimization Survey, 2004)

• Young women ages 12-24 are at the greatest risk for experiencing sexual violence. More than half of all rapes of women occur before age 18 and 22% occur before age 12. (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2001)