NCJ Number
126505
Date Published
1983
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This booklet provides information to sexual assault survivors in such areas as the medical exam and treatment, emotional reactions to the assault, criminal justice processing of the case, and reactions by family and friends.
Abstract
Information on the medical aspects of the aftermath of a sexual assault focuses on the need for medical treatment; the nature of the medical exam, including the obtaining of physical evidence; and medical treatment following the initial emergency services. A discussion of the survivor's psychological and perceptual reactions to the assault contrasts myths and realities regarding sexual assault so survivors may not harbor guilt or blame themselves for the assault. After reviewing legal rights as a sexual assault survivor, as a patient, and as a witness, the booklet addresses aspects of the legal processing of the case, such as whether to report the assault to police, court processes, and the filing of a civil suit. All aspects of the survivor's psychological reactions to the attack are discussed, and specific advice is offered for certain types of survivors (children, teenagers, males, lesbians, the elderly, the disabled, undocumented resident, wives assaulted by husbands, and those assaulted by an acquaintance. Copies are available in Spanish and Chinese. 12-item bibliography and a list of California resources for sexual assault survivors