SUPPORT GROUPS AND ADVOCACY-BASE

SEXUAL ASSAULT

SUPPORT GROUPS AND ADVOCACY-BASED COUNSELING

Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse provides free confidential services, without discrimination, to women, men, and children who have been affected by sexual assault. This can include advocacy-based counseling with trained individuals who support survivors in an individual, family or group setting; information and referral services; and 24-hour crisis intervention from ATVP staff and volunteers.

Support groups are available for victims and survivors, as well as non-offending parents, to share like experiences and offer support to one another in a safe, confidential setting. Goals include education, empowerment, self-esteem building, problem solving, reduction of anxiety and stress resulting from victimization, and safety issues. Child advocacy is provided.

For information on any of the services Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse can provide, please contact us.

"Passivity is the dragon that every woman must slay in her quest for independence."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

GETTING MEDICAL ATTENTION

It is strongly recommended that you seek medical care following a sexual assault. An advocate with Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse can accompany you to provide support and explain procedures.

A medical history will be necessary in order for the physician to identify any medical conditions that could affect your treatment. This will include allergies, prescription and non-prescription medications, major illnesses; and for women, any use of birth control, a gynecological history, menstrual status and date of last period.

You may choose to request a rape exam, which is a thorough exam including the collection of forensic evidence. If you think that you might want to pursue legal action either immediately or in the future, such as prosecution, it is in your best interest to request a rape exam so that physical evidence can be collected in a timely fashion.

If you do not want the rape exam, you can request that only a medical exam be performed.

THE RAPE EXAM

Be aware that timing is very important when making the decision to request a rape exam. It is recommended that the rape exam be performed immediately after the assault, or within 72 hours, while the evidence is still able to be collected.

Although it may be painful or uncomfortable for you, it is best that you DO NOT change your clothes, bathe, douche, go to the bathroom, drink, eat, or brush your teeth before you go to the hospital or to see a doctor. Bring a change of clothes to wear home after the exam. If you have already changed your clothes, place the worn clothing in a paper bag to take to the hospital.

A description of the assault will help the physician with the rape exam. It may also be used as evidence if there is a prosecution.

The medical professional will have you undress while standing on a clean white cloth. The purpose of this is to allow the nurse or physician to note torn clothing, rips, tears, stains, moss, leaves, sand, or other foreign materials.
All of your clothing will be put into separate paper bags and then sealed. When you have undressed, any debris and the white cloth will be collected as evidence. You will not get your clothes back while the case is being prosecuted.
The medical professional must complete the exam according to forensic protocol, which includes taking swabs, hair samples, fingernail scrapings, and a blood sample.

The last step will be the follow-up procedures for the medical and/or rape exam:

Referral to a sexually transmitted infections (STI's) clinic or your private physician for repeat cultures in six weeks.
Referral to a clinic or your private physician to test for pregnancy.
Referral to a clinic or your private physician for an HIV test in 6 months.
If there are any other physical injuries, a check-up will be scheduled.

If you choose not to have the rape exam, seeking a medical exam at any time after the assault is very important for your personal health. An advocate with Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse can accompany you to provide support.

THE MEDICAL EXAM

Is conducted for your protection.
Is for the detection and the potential treatment of any physical injuries.
Is for the detection, treatment, and prevention of possible sexually transmitted infections (STI's).
Is for the detection and prevention of possible pregnancy.
Is to identify possible non-medical concerns and provide appropriate referrals (ex: counseling, legal aid).
Is to see if any follow-up examinations and tests may be needed.

REMEMBER: an advocate through Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse can assist and support you through every step of the examination.

Some individuals find the rape exam to be very intrusive and prefer to have an ally by their side while undergoing this process.

CRIME VICTIM'S COMPENSATION

If you require medical or mental health treatment as a direct result of being a victim of a violent crime such as sexual assault/abuse, domestic violence or child abuse, you may be eligible to receive assistance from the Crime Victims Compensation Program.

Assistance is available for victims and/or their families. An advocate through Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse or the Crime Witness Coordinator in the prosecutor's office can assist you in filling out the Crime Victims Compensation Application Form. If you have a rape exam at the emergency room, the hospital will most likely fill out the medical portion of the form for you.

KEY POINTS TO KNOW:

In Washington, you must make a report to law enforcement officials within one year of when the crime could reasonably have been reported. You must apply for benefits with the Washington State Crime Victims Compensation Program within two years of reporting the crime, or within five years if you have good cause; with the exception of minors, in which case the time does not begin to run until their 18th birthday.
In Idaho, the crime must be reported to law enforcement officials within 72 hours of the crime or there must be a documented good cause why it was not. You must file a claim with the Idaho State Crime Victims Compensation Program within one year of the crime or show good cause why you did not.
Crime Victims Compensation pays the expenses for victims and their families for certain services related to the crime. This includes the rape exam and can include counseling/therapy costs.

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