Sexual Assault

Sexual assault and rape are acts of violence that can happen to anyone. Most victims know their assailants. Attackers and rapists can be anyone:

• Boyfriends or girlfriends
• Classmates
• Co-workers
• Family members
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Partners or spouses
• Strangers

About the Presentation

You can reduce the risk of sexual assault by learning about precautionary measures you can take, how to protect yourself, and how to report an incident.

This 1-hour presentation provides information on rape, date rape, date rape with drugs and alcohol, and the various laws regarding sexual assault, and what to do if the unthinkable happens.

Victims Reporting

Only 15% of all rapes are reported to the police. Victims will usually not hesitate to report a "stranger" rape, but will rarely report an "acquaintance" rape, because society looks at the two very differently. Victims must go through the process of telling the gruesome story repeatedly; to the police, emergency room personnel, the prosecuting attorney, and a jury. The victims re-live the incident each time they go through the details, making them hesitant to prosecute the offender, and they are left wondering why the system is so insensitive to their victimization. 

Sexual Assualt Response Team

Centre County has found a way to minimize this system's impact, by introducing the Sexual Assault Response Team (S.A.R.T.) to victims during the initial stages of a sexual assault investigation. In addition, this presentation will show you how the SA.R.T. works, who are members of the team, and how their procedures greatly reduce the insensitivity of the system, thereby increasing the rate of prosecution of sexual assault offenders.