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If you have been sexually
assaulted...
You may be
feeling:
 Afraid,
confused, betrayed, angry, depressed or like you want to die
Like
it was your fault (it wasn't)
Like
it is a secret that no one will understand and that you must bear it alone
Like
you are losing your mind
You
are having problems eating, sleeping or being intimate
Like
the assault is happening all over again because the memories are so real
(flashbacks of the assault)
If
someone you know has been assaulted...
Believe
her. Know that she has no reason to lie.
Don't
judge or blame her
Don't
find reasons to excuse what happened
Listen.
Let her tell you as much or as little as she wants.
Tell
her it wasn't her fault
Ask
her what she needs. Don't tell her what she needs
Help
her find support
Remind
her of her skills and strengths
Get
support for your own feelings
If you have
been sexually assaulted or know someone who has been, the Support and Crisis
Line can help support you.
Call:
1-800-663-3060
Alcohol
is the most common rape drug!
Ketamine
Special K
G.H.B.
Ecstacy
Rohypnol
Roofies
- These are
all names of rape drugs that could be used on you.
- It is
possible for anyone to be drugged.
- Rape drugs
can be in alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks.
- They can be colourless,
odourless, and tasteless.
Click on link
to watch how quick your drink can be spiked!
If you have
been drugged you may feel drowsy, confused, dizzy or sick to your stomach,
overly drunk, happy or outgoing.
You may also experience:
Loss
of coordination
Blackouts
Inability
to protect yourself from an attacker
Loss
of memory
If you have
been or believe you have been raped:
Remember
that it is not your fault
Seek
support
Determine
whether or not you want to go to the police
Keep
a sample of the beverage, if it is available to you
If you
would like to talk to someone about what happened,
please call
1-800-663-3060
Under the
Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC), sexual harassment is against the law.
What
is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual
harassment is defined as any conduct, comment, gesture or contact of a
sexual nature that could be considered inappropriate or offensive. It is an
act of violence against women.
There are 2
different forms of sexual harassment:
Quid Pro
Quo - which is offering promotions, raises or special assignments in
return for sexual favours or attention, done by an employer or supervisor
Hostile
Environment - this is a broader category. It involves someone making
your environment uncomfortable in a variety of different ways. It could be
unwanted sexual comments about appearance, unwanted sexual contact,
pornographic pictures or cartoons, anything that makes the environment you
are in uncomfortable or hostile.
If this is
happening to you or anyone you know, you can call the support and crisis
line for support at 1-800-663-3060
And
remember to keep a record of any occurrence, if you decide to file a
complaint the records will be very useful.
It has been
estimated that 50% of survivors do not remember the abuse until years after
it occurred.
Who
is an Adult Survivor of Child Sexual Abuse?
An adult
survivor is someone who was sexually abused as a child. The
abuse my have had long term effects on their life. We use the word
"survivor" instead of "victim" because it is a recognition of the strength
it took to survive the abuse.
Some common
long term effects are:
Depression,
low self-esteem or self hatred
Problems
sleeping
Inability
to trust
Women
survivors can find themselves in dangerous situations or relationships as
adults
Flashbacks
or remembering
Daydreaming,
finding a place for the mind to go while the body is being abused
If you or
someone you know thinks they may be a survivor of sexual abuse please call
us at 1-800-663-3060, we can listen and offer support.
The
information on this page was taken from National Clearinghouse on Family
Violence, which is part of Health Canada.
Most
offenders are not strangers. Studies have shown that in 9 out of 10 cases
the perpetrator is either related or known to the child.
What
is Child Sexual Abuse?
It occurs
when an adult uses a child for sexual gratification. It involves the child
being exposed to sexual contact, activity or behaviour, and may include
invitation to sexual touching, intercourse or other forms of exploitation,
such as juvenile prostitution or pornography. Child sexual abuse is NEVER
the child’s fault.
It is
important to remember that...
Victims
of child sexual abuse come from all social, ethnic and economic groupings.
Children
do not have the capability to consent, because they can't understand the
consequences of adult- child sexual contact
Children
have the right to be physically and emotionally safe at all times. Children
are the most vulnerable members of our community. They do not have the power
to stop abuse. They rely on others to help them. It is our responsibility to
report the abuse of a child under 16, if we are given identifying
information, under the Child and Family Services Act.
We are here
to listen and support you.
This
information was taken from an article from the National Clearinghouse on
Family Violence, which is part of Health Canada.
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