Sexual Assault: What You Need to Know

What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault and sexual abuse are terms that refer to sexual contact without consent. Rape, incest, attempted rape and unwanted sexual touch are often called sexual assault.

Where Can I Get Help?

Rape victims, family members and friends can all get help at a rape crisis center. Crisis center services are free and confidential. Hotline numbers for crisis centers are listed at the end of this brochure. For crisis center information and location go to www.icasa.org.

Crisis centers are located throughout Illinois. If you are a victim of sexual assault, if you know someone who is, or if you want more information about sexual assault, you can contact the crisis center nearest you.

What is a Crisis Center?

When you call a rape crisis center, a crisis counselor will respond. Counselors, medical and legal advocates are available to help. Anyone who is a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse or sexual harassment can receive services at a crisis center. Crisis center services are confidential, free and available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.

Staff and trained volunteers:

  • Answer the hotline.
  • Provide crisis intervention.
  • Meet you at the hospital.
  • Go with you to the police station, the State’s Attorney’s office and court.
  • Provide individual and group counseling.
  • Give you specific information about sexual assault.

In addition to these services, centers provide prevention education. Prevention educators teach students about sexual assault and give presentations to community and civic groups. Staff also provides training for medical personnel, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, teachers and social workers.

The Facts ...

Sexual assault and sexual abuse can happen to anyone. It’s not just a myth. These are the facts:

  • Sexual assault is a crime.
  • Sexual assault is a violent use of power.
  • There is no typical victim: anyone can be a victim of sexual assault.
  • 1.3 adult women are raped every minute.
  • One in three females will be sexually abused by age 18.
  • One in six males will be sexually abused by age 18.
  • Only 3 in 10 sexual assaults is reported to the police.
  • It is estimated that there are more than 900,000 sexual assaults each year.
  • Rape costs the U.S. economy $127 billion a year.
  • ICASA centers assisted more than 25,000 victims and their significant others in 2002.

The Law ...

If you have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse, the criminal justice system can help. Illinois law:

  • Focuses on the behavior of the offender, rather than the behavior of the victim.
  • Requires serious penalties for crimes against children, older people and people with disabilities.
  • Allows a spouse to be charged with sexual assault.
  • Says offenders can be male or female and of any age.
  • Does not require resistance to prove sexual assault or sexual abuse.
  • Criminalizes many kinds of coercive sexual behavior in addition to penetration.

What is ICASA?

The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) is the statewide network of rape crisis centers working together to end sexual violence. For more information on ICASA visit www.icasa.org or call 217-753-4117.

This pamphlet may not be reprinted without the permission of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.