What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault can take many different forms, but one thing remains the same: it’s never the victim’s fault.The term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim.
Some forms of sexual assault include:
Penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape
Attempted rape
Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator’s body
Fondling or unwanted sexual touching
What is force?
Force doesn’t always refer to physical pressure. Perpetrators may use emotional coercion, psychological force, or manipulation to coerce a victim into non-consensual sex. Some perpetrators will use threats to force a victim to comply, such as threatening to hurt the victim or their family or other intimidation tactics.
What consent does NOT look like:
Assuming that dressing sexy, flirting, accepting a ride, accepting a drink, etc. is in any way consenting to anything more.
Get to a safe place.
Get Help! Call 911, if you are in an emergency, or if you fear the person who assaulted you may return.
Either call One Place Crisis Line at 256-767-1100, or go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room.
If you have been sexually assaulted, if possible, DO NOT bathe, shower, or change clothes, eat, drink, use mouthwash or brush your teeth, or try to use the restroom. Doing so could destroy or damage valuable evidence. IF YOU HAVE, we can still help you. If possible, bring the clothes you were wearing with you. We will provide a set of clothes for you to wear home.
Do not change clothes. We will provide a set of clothes for you to wear home.
- Evidence needs to be collected within 72 hours of being sexually assaulted.