Rape / Sexual Assault
Should I Report My Attack to the Police?
Reporting rape to law enforcement is usually a good decision. While there's no way to change what happened to you, you can seek justice while helping to stop it from happening to someone else.
Reporting to the police is the key to preventing sexual assault: every time we lock up a rapist, we're preventing him or her from committing another attack. It's the most effective tool that exists to prevent future rapes. In the end, though, whether or not to report is your decision to make.
Where to report sexual assault?
In Florida, adults should report the rape to law enforcement in the county or municipality in which the attack occured.
If you are a minor, please call the Florida Department of Children and Families Toll Free Hotline TEL: 1-800-962-2873, or seek the assistance of a trusted resource officer, teacher, relative, friend, or C.A.R.E. 941-639-5499. In Englewood, call 941-475-6565.
Am I required to report to police?
No, adults are not legally obligated to report. The decision is entirely yours, and everyone will understand if you decided not to pursue prosecution.
In Charlotte County Florida, if you are an adult who wants take some time to decide about reporting while preserving any forensic evidence such as semen on your body, you may go to hospital emergency rooms and request a non-reporting victim sexual assault forensic examination. The examination which includes a swabbed sample of vaginal fluids will be done without notification to law enforcement and the evidence preserved for 90 days.
Critical Concerns
Pregnancy: Because rape, just like consensual sex, can lead to pregnancy. Prescriptions for emergency contraception are available through many hospital emergency rooms, and, in Charlotte County Florida through the Health Department.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Victims of sexual violence are at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections.
- If you went to the emergency room for a rape exam, you should have been offered preventive treatment (antibiotics) for sexually transmitted infections and given information about where to go for follow-up testing.
- If you need more information about this, or did not receive preventive care, call C.A.R.E. 941-639-5499 and we will help you figure out what resources are available.
- If you did not get medical care after your attack, it's still important to get tested for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
- The Centers for Disease Control recommend follow-up testing two weeks after a sexual assault and blood tests to rule out HIV infection 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after an assault. This testing, in Charlotte County Florida, can be done anonymously at the Health Department.
Effects of Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is a personal and destructive crime. Its effects on you and your loved ones can be psychological, emotional, and/or physical. It is important to remember that there is not one "normal" reaction to sexual assault. Therefore your individual response will be different depending on your personal circumstances. In this section, we explain some of the more common effects that sexual assault victims may experience.
Depression: The term "depression" can be confusing since many of the symptoms are experienced by people as normal reactions to events. At some point or another, everyone feels sad or "blue." This also means that recognizing depression can be difficult since the symptoms can easily be attributed to other causes. These feelings are perfectly normal, especially during difficult times.
Depression becomes something more than just normal feelings of sadness when the symptoms last for more than two weeks.
- Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
- Significant change in weight or appetiteLoss of energy or persistent fatigue
- Significant change in sleep patterns (insomnia, sleeping too much, fitful sleep, etc.)
- Loss of interest and pleasure in activities previously enjoyed; social withdrawal
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or guiltPessimism or indifferenceUnexplained aches and pains (headaches, stomachaches)
- Inability to concentrate, indecisivenessIrritability, worry, anger, agitation, or anxiety
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- If you are having suicidal thoughts, don't wait to get help! In Charlotte County Florida call 941-575-0222 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) at any time.
Depression can affect people of any age, gender, race, ethnicity, or religion. Depression is not a sign of weakness, and it is not something that someone can make him/herself "snap out of."
Flashbacks: when memories of past traumas feel as if they are taking place in the current moment. These memories can take many forms: dreams, sounds, smells, images, body sensations, or overwhelming emotions. It can also trigger any other emotions that were felt at the time of the trauma. If you realize you are in the middle of a flashback:
- First, Get Grounded: The first thing to do is sit up straight and put both feet on the floor. This will help you to feel grounded.
- Be In the Present: It can be helpful to remind yourself that the event you are reliving happened in the past and you are now in the present. The actual event is over, and you survived.
- Breathing: Try focusing on your breathing. One way to do that is to count to four as you breathe in. Count to four as you hold that breath and then count to four as you exhale.
- Pay Attention to Surroundings: Another way to help yourself feel like you are in the present is to pay attention to your surroundings. Touch something around you like a table or a chair. What does it feel like? Can you smell anything? Do you hear any sounds?
- Self-Soothing: Are there things that normally make you feel safe and secure like wrapping a blanket around yourself or making some tea?
- Normal: Also, remember that it can take time to recover. You are not crazy. This is a normal reaction.
- Take care of yourself Give yourself time to recover after a flashback. Reach out to loved ones or counselors who will be supportive.