What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual Assault is forced sexual intercourse or touching of an individual without consent or against a person’s will. It can happen anywhere, but commonly occurs in a home or a vehicle.

Possible Reactions to Assault

Survivors of sexual assault may experience a range of responses, some of which might include depression, fear, blaming, rage, withdrawal, anger outbursts, chemical dependency, eating disorders, dreams/nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks and anxiety.

The Diane Peppler Resource Center is here to listen, offer support and or counseling, and help you through any medical and/or legal processes. We also offer weekly support groups for adult survivors of sexual assault and incest.

Myths about Sexual Assault

• Rape is a crime of passion
• If the victim wasn’t beaten or bruised, she must have consented to sex
• Only young, pretty women with provocative lifestyles get raped
• Children are most likely to be sexually assaulted by a total stranger
• Physical trauma from a sexual assault Is the main concern because children are usually hurt
• The child victim is somehow the cause – directly or indirectly – of the abuse

Truths about Sexual Assault

• Rape is motivated by hostility and aggression – not passion
• Fighting back during an assault may actually decrease a woman’s chance of survival
• Every woman and child is a potential victim of sexual assault, regardless of age, class, style of dress or physical appearance
• 4 out of 5 sexually assaulted children are assaulted by someone they know
• Children are not usually harmed physically in sexual assault. The psychological damage may have a much greater effect
• For sexual assault, as for other crimes, the blame remains with the perpetrator, not the victim