Sexual Assault

Mailing Address: PO Box 3639 • Omak WA 98841
Physical Address: 619 & 621 S 2nd Ave • Okanogan WA 98840
Phone: 826-3221 (locally)
Toll-free Crisis Line 1(888)826-3221
Email: information@thesupportcenter.org
www.thesupportcenter.org

Sexual Assault defined:

Sexual Assault is defined as any sexual contact without the express consent of the victim. It can be rape, sexual talk, or touching, the showing of sexual pictures, indecent exposure, or it can occur in many other forms.

Sexual assault victims suffer from severe emotional trauma as to the physical pain that accompanies an assault. Many victims feel powerless and are afraid to defend themselves while being attacked. More than half of all sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows.

If you have been raped, do not douche or destroy your clothing. Get medical attention as soon as possible after the assault. It is important to make sure that there are no internal injuries. Should you decide to press charges, a medical exam can provide important information and evidence. You DO NOT have to press charges to receive medical help or counseling.

To protect yourself if you are assaulted, you may be able to fight back if you think it will not cause you any further harm. You may be able to break a window in a lighted house, or throw something through your own window to attract attention. Be aware that actions to defend yourself could endanger you even further. There is no “right” response to being attacked. Every situation is different. One must take into account if weapons, physical force, or threats are being used, where the attack is taking place, what frame of mind the attacker is in, etc., before responding. It is not uncommon to be too afraid to respond at all.

Child Sexual Abuse defined:

Child Sexual Abuse is directed toward children. Child sexual abuse can have devastating effects on the child presently as well as after the child has become an adult.

The child suffers both physical and emotional pain from sexual assault. Some child victims suffer severe bodily injuries, while others may leave not visible signs at all. All abused children suffer emotionally, even if there are no outside scars.

If you suspect a child may be a victim of sexual abuse, contact the Police, Child Protective Services, and/or The Support Center as soon as possible. This is the first step to ensure the child’s safety.

In order to make certain that the child is all right and has no internal injuries, a medical exam should be performed. This will also help to prosecute the person responsible for sexually abusing the child.

SURVIVORS of childhood sexual assault may not remember the abuse until they are adults. These memories often

seem so real that it feels as though the abuse is happening all over again. There is help for survivors struggling to deal with the feelings that come with the memories. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! For further information, please email us at
generalsa@thesupportcenter.org or call us at 1-888-826-3221 toll-free.