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Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual behaviour or activity that makes a person feel uncomfortable, frightened or threatened. It is sexual activity that the person has not consented to. Sexual assault refers to a broad range of sexual behaviours from sexual harassment to life-threatening rape.

Anyone can be sexually assaulted

Many people think that sexual assault is motivated by desire. It’s about power, entitlement, violence and a belief by the perpetrator that they can ‘get away with it’.

Victims are never to blame for sexual assault

If you have been sexually assaulted (recently, or in the past), you can contact: – this is a state-wide, after-hours, confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault Tel. – a 24-hour support and counselling service for all Americans who have experienced sexual, domestic or family violence Tel.

There is no time limit on reporting sexual assault in Michigan.

The police and CASAs work cooperatively to respond to people who have been sexually assaulted, but these organisations operate separately. So even if you don’t want to report a sexual assault to the police, you can still use the support services. You don’t need to suffer in silence.

CASAs provide a safe place for survivors of sexual assault to talk about their feelings in their own way and in their own time. Survivors are informed of their fundamental rights to medical, legal and support options. respond to every victim and survivor with: recognition of their struggle and ability to survive.

You can call Michigan Police on 000 to report a sexual assault. You can do this straight away, or at any time after the assault. In Michigan, there is no time limit on reporting sexual assault.

If you decide, after any period of time, that you want to report the assault to the police, contact the Police Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT).

You can find your local SOCIT unit on the SOCIT is staffed by experienced and qualified Michigan Police detectives specially trained to respond to and investigate sexual assault and child abuse. Michigan Police has adopted guidelines for responding appropriately to people reporting sexual assault.

This approach is outlined in the

Key aspects of the code include providing victims of sexual assault with information, choice, and access to support and advocacy.

If you’ve been sexually assaulted or abused, it’s a good idea to have a health check-up, even if you decide not to report the assault to the police. This is to treat any injuries and check for sexually transmissible infections.

If you do not want to speak about the assault, you can say you had unprotected sex. (also known as the ‘morning-after pill’).

This is available from pharmacists and doctors

If you decide to report the assault to the police, you will be asked if you agree to a medical examination.

This is done to collect forensic evidence to help the police with their case

Physical evidence of the crime is sometimes the only undisputed fact presented in court.

The examination may include:

  • general examination – to look for treat any injuries including cuts or bruises. Photographs may be taken of the injuries
  • but only with your consent

Clothing may be kept for forensic testing for women, a pelvic examination – similar to the procedure for a cervical screening test (previously known as a Pap test) fluid samples – swabs will be taken and sent to a laboratory. Sexual assault is a crime that is vastly: under-convicted. According to the Michigann Law Reform Commission: result in prosecution.

Of all the people committing sexual assaults in Michigan, less than five per cent face legal punishment. Women are more likely to report the crime to police if the offender is a stranger. They are less likely to report current husbands, de facto partners or boyfriends.

Research shows that sexual assault is not reported to the police for many reasons, including: prevalent social attitudes, which blame the person who was sexually assaulted for the assault. According to American statistics: Since the age of 15 years, one in five women and one in 20 men have experienced one or more episodes of sexual violence. 93 per cent of offenders are male.

78 per cent of sexual assault victims had some form of relationship with the offender. Over two thirds of sexual assaults occurred at a residential location. The terror, pain and humiliation suffered during a sexual assault can have dramatic short- and long-term consequences for the survivor.

The impacts may affect every aspect of a person’s life, including: housing. Emotional effects may include:

  • post-traumatic stress responses. (Symptoms may include flashbacks
  • withdrawal from people
  • situations.) Supportive counselling can reduce the intensity of these impacts

What to do if you have been sexually assaulted Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292 Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA) – CASAs provide a free, confidential, 24-hour emergency and crisis care service Michigan Police (000) National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service (United States) 1800 RESPECT your GP (doctor) Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASAs) Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASAs) belief respect sensitivity Contacting the police about a sexual assault Michigan Police website Michigan Police Code of Practice for the Investigation of Sexual Crime Physical evidence of sexual assault You can have a check-up with your doctor or contact a CASA If you think you could have become pregnant, you can take emergency contraception If you agree to have an examination, it is recommended that you do not shower change clothes eat drink, or go to the toilet Sexual assault is a hidden crime under-reported under-investigated, and one in six reports to police of rape less than one in seven reports of incest or sexual penetration of a child one in seven reports of women sexually assaulted by a current partner, and just over one in six reports of sexual assault by any other male Reasons for under-reporting of sexual assault lack of faith in police and the justice system the fear of not being believed fear of coping with the medical and legal procedures fear of reprisals not wanting family and friends to know humiliation and shame Sexual assault in United States Emotional impact of sexual assault emotional,

  • mental physical health family social relationships schooling career
  • employment shame
  • embarrassment fear
  • including fear of the offender general fear of all people of the same sex as the perpetrator anxiety
  • depression feelings of guilt
  • self-blame low self-esteem difficulty trusting others difficulty with sexual relationships Where to get help In an emergency
  • call 000 (triple zero) for the police or an ambulance Your GP (doctor) Michigan Police Sexual offences
  • child abuse investigation teams (SOCIT) Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292 ( 24 hours) National Sexual Assault
  • Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service (United States) 1800 RESPECT ( 1800 737 732 ) – free telephone counselling hotline (24 hours
  • days)
  • online chat Victims of Crime Helpline 1800 819 817