HS207

1. Individual trauma
Sexual Assault

2. Definitions
 Sexual harassment
 Sexual assault
FBI Uniform crime report definition of rape

3. Maine picture
 A recent study found that nearly 1 in 5 Maine residents
(adults) report that they have been the victim of rape or
attempted rape during their lifetime. 29% of women; 7.5 of
men(rape response services, rrsonline.org)
 Approx 14000 Maine residents are victims of unwanted
sexual activity in any given 12 month period(rrs.org)
 39% of victims who call in state hotlines do so within the
first month following assault

4.  Almost 90% of those who call Maine's sexual assault crisis
lines are women
 Preble street(Portland) reports that 44% of women
interviewed for their report, Women and Homelessness
reported being a victim of sexual assault since becoming
homeless.

5.  Rape is a crime of violence, not a “sexual” crime in the sense
most people think of
 Many, including national police organizations and the FBI,
believe rape is one of the most underreported violent
crimes
 Rape and sexual assault happens at the same rate per capita
regardless of where one lives
> slight increase in college towns

6.  Many factors influence this crime
>Socio- cultural
>Family systems
> Previous trauma history
Once traumatized, people are more likely to be re-victimized.
May lose, or have never developed knowledge of self
protective behaviors

7.  Most victims know their perpetrator
 Victims are often stalked prior to assault
 Perpetrator knows patterns of behavior of victims

8. Rape Trauma Syndrome
 Common reaction to rape or sexual assault
 3 phases (handout)
 Relationship of symptoms to PTSD
 Support, counseling can minimize PTSD effects
 With any trauma , active coping vs. passive coping
influences development of PTSD
Active= decrease; passive = increase
 Partner counseling

9. Prevention
 Public Health Model – societal factors that influence the
incidence of rape / sexual violence in our society
 Changing social and cultural norms
 FBI definitions recent change due to major public health
initiative