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| Friday, May 16, 2008 |
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OUR BELIEF:
All individuals have the right to a life free from abuse.
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OUR SERVICES:
The Waypoint Sexual Assault Intervention Program provides crisis intervention and support services to victims of sexual assault, their families and significant others. All of our services are free and confidential.
24-Hour Crisis Line 363-5490 or toll free 1-800-208-0389
Our crisis and information line is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. Call us if you have an urgent situation, want more information about our services, or would like to speak with an advocate. We're here to listen and help.
Advocacy
Our staff is available to act as advocates for you, keeping you informed about your choices within the legal, medical and social services systems.
Peer Counseling and Support Group
Waypoint offers one-on-one crisis support as well as group support for women, men and teenage survivors of sexual assault, as well as their family and friends.
Weekly Sexual Assault Support Groups:
Teen Talk
Mondays, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
For young women ages 13 - 17. A support group addressing dating relationships, sexual assault, domestic violence, and other related issues. For more info, contact Tara at 365-1458 ext. 143
Women's Sexual Assault Support Group
Mondays 5:30 - 7 p.m.
For women age 18 and up who are victims/survivors of sexual assault. For more info, contact Kira at 365-1458 ext. 152
Referrals and Information
Waypoint will help you get connected to other community agencies to meet other needs you may have such as pregnancy testing, HIV testing or long-term counseling.
Community Education
We are committed to educating our youth, area businesses, churches, groups and individuals about sexual violence and the impact it has on our community. We are available to speak to your group, school, business, group at any time. For information on education and outreach programs, or to arrange a speaker, call us at 319/365-1458 ext. 118.
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IF YOU HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED:
- Go to a safe place.
- Call a friend or the Waypoint Sexual Assault Crisis Line 363-5490 or toll free at 1-800-208-0389. Waypoint can offer support as you explore your emotions, needs and options. You may feel like some decisions need to be made as soon as possible (such as whether to report the assault to the police or get medical attention).You don't need to make those decisions alone. Our advocates are trained to support you and provide you with the information so you can make informed decisions.
- Consider your medical records. A medical exam can check for injuries, screen for pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections and collect necessary evidence if you are considering legal action. You have the right to a free medical examination (Sexual Assault Evidence Exam), paid for by the state of Iowa, whether or not you choose to report the crime to the police. If you choose to report the assault to the police, it's important to receive medical attention as soon as possible. If you haven't already, it is a good idea to not bathe, douche or change your clothes before seeking medical attention. A Sexual Assault Crisis Advocate can be with you at the hospital to offer you support and information and to ensure you are treated with respect.
- Consider your legal options. Remember, sexual assault is a crime and you have the right to report an assault to the police. Deciding if and/or how to report an assault can be painful and confusing. Talking with an advocate may help you better understand your options.
- You don't have to deal with this alone. Waypoint advocates are here to support you and your family through this crisis.
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FACTS ON SEXUAL ASSAULT
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is any sexual activity committed by force or against the will of another person. "Against the will" means ignoring the expressed wishes of another. "Force" may include threats or acts of violence, drugging, coercion or manipulation. Resistance is not necessary for it to be sexual assault.
Sexual assault can include rape by a stranger or acquaintance (forced vaginal, anal or oral penetration), child sexual abuse, incest, marital rape, same-sex assault, unwanted sexual touching, attempted rape, sexual exploitation by a professional and sexual harassment.
Sexual Assault in Our Society
- One in three women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime.
- One in six male children will be sexually abused.
- One in seven women will be raped by a husband or ex-husband.
- Nearly 80% of victims know their perpetrator.
- Sexual assault most often happens in the home of the victim or perpetrator.
- Rape is an act of violence, NOT an act of impulsive sex.
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RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS
Resources in Iowa
- Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault
www.iowacasa.org
- Iowa 24-hour Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-284-7821
- For a complete list of all Iowa Sexual Assault Crisis Centers go to:
www.iowacasa.org/general/centers.html
- Iowa DHS Child Abuse Reporting Hotline: 1-800-362-2178
- Iowa Crime Victim Assistance Division Compensation Program: 1-800-373-5044. As a crime victim, you have the right to apply for financial assistance from this program.
National Organizations
- Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN)
1-800-656-HOPE
To be connected to a rape crisis center near you.
- Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence
www.faithtrustinstitute.org
- Violence Against Women Office
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawa
- The Broken Spirits Network
www.brokenspirits.com
This web site sponsors a discussion forum for survivors, as well as information.
- Escaping Hades
www.escapinghhades.com
This site sponsors web discussion, a live chat room, and the ability to read and share personal stories, poetry and artwork related to sexual abuse / assault.
- From Surviving to Thriving
www.survivingtothriving.com
This site offers links with the Escaping Hades site-for communal web chats and forums. Also information and personal stories.
- www.survive.org.uk
This is a very comprehensive site, offering all the above- mentioned services, as well as email crisis line which is answered by volunteers and the site creator.
- www.yahoo.com
Even more popular web communities, like yahoo or AOL can offer survivor chat rooms. Yahoo offers one for depression, but AOL, in their member chats, offers a space for survivors of sexual abuse and assault.
- www.giftfromwithin.org
- Men Stopping Violence
www.menstoppingviolence.org
A social change organization dedicated to ending men's violence against women.
- Men's Rape Prevention Project
www.mrpp.org
Awareness to action education and community organizing.
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Recommended Books
For women assaulted as adults:
I Never Called It Rape, Robin Warshaw
Drawing on survey results and first- person accounts, a journalist explores the issue of date rape, explaining what it is, why it happens, and it's devastating impact on victims, in a guide that includes helpful resources and counseling and support programs.
After Silence: Rape and My Journey Back, , Nancy Venable Raine.
Who's Afraid of the Dark? A Forum of Truth, Support and Assurance for Those Affected by Rape,, Cynthia Carosella. (HarperPerennial)
The Sexual Healing Journey (A Guide for Survivor's of Sexual Abuse) , Wendy Maltz
The Survivor's Guide , Sherice A. Lee
For women who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse:
The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse , Ellen Bass and Laura Davis (Harper Collins Publishers)
Beginning to Heal: A First Book for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, Ellen Bass and Laura Davis (Harper Collins Publishers)
Allies in Healing: When the Person You Love Was Sexually Abused as a Child, Laura Davis. (Harper Collins Publishers)
Outgrowing the Pain: A Book For and About Adults Abused as Children, Eliana Gil.
Against Our Will, Susan Brownmeller
Recovering from Rape, Linda Ledray
A comprehensive handbook for rape survivors and concerned family members, friends, and lovers presents an updated format covering health issues, incest, legal information, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, treatment for sex offenders, and more.
About Trauma and abuse:
Trauma and Recovery, Judith Herman MD
Herman (psychiatry, Harvard Medical school) draws on her own research on domestic violence, as well as on a vast literature combat veterans and victims of political terror, to show the parallels between private terrors like rape and public traumas as terrorism.
For men who have been raped:
Male on Male Rape: The Hidden Toll of Stigma and Shame, Michael Scarce (Insight Books, Plenum Press)
For men who have been assaulted as children:
Victims No Longer: Men Recovering from Incest and Other Sexual Child Abuse, Mike Lew (Nevraumont)
Abused Boys: The Neglected Victims of Sexual Abuse, healing for the Man Molested as a Child, Mic Hunter (Fawcett Books)
If your child has been abused:
No Right Way: The Voices of Mothers of Incest Survivors, Tracy Orr
The Mother's Book: How to Survive the Incest of Your Child, Carolyn M. Byerly (Kendall Hunt)
Other Agencies in Eastern Iowa That Can Help
Planned Parenthood
(319) 363-8572
www.plannedparenthood.org
St. Luke's Family Health Center
(319) 369-7397
United Way of Eastern Central Iowa
Dial 211, a 24-hour number provided by United Way of East Central Iowa for information and referrals to health and human service information in Linn and surrounding Iowa counties.
To request more information on our Sexual Assault Intervention Program, CLICK HERE to go to our contact page. Be sure to select Sexual Assault Intervention Program in the 'What would you like to know more about?' dropdown menu before submitting the form.
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