What Is Sexual Violence?
Sexual violence is also sometimes referred to as rape and is a crime. Oklahoma Statute Title 21 Chapter 45 Section 1111 defines rape as an act of sexual intercourse involving vaginal or anal penetration accomplished with a male or female who is not the spouse of the perpetrator and who may be of the same or the opposite sex as the perpetrator.
Women, men, people between or outside of the gender binary; people who are able-bodied or differently able; young children, adults, or elderly; people who may be developmentally delayed or suffering from mental illness; strong or weak; sex workers; under the influence of legal or illegal substances or sober; dressed conservatively or otherwise; married, partnered, single or celibate; documented or undocumented; homeless or housed. Sexual violence does not discriminate. All people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and no one has the right to control your body but you. Nothing justifies sexual assault.
Sexual assault is any forced or coerced sexual activity, such as unwanted touching, committed against a person’s will or without consent. Rape is a form of sexual assault that includes but is not limited to forced vaginal, anal, and oral penetration. It does not matter if you have had sex in the past. If it is nonconsensual this time, it is rape. Rape can happen when the victim was unconscious or asleep or under the influence. If you were asleep or unconscious or under the influence, then you did not give consent. And if you did not give consent, then it is rape.
Sexual Violence Statistics
• 1 in 5 women in the United States experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime.
• 24.8% of men in the United States experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime.
• About 51.1% of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance.
• 52.4% of male victims report being raped by an acquaintance and 15.1% by a stranger.
If You Are A Victim Of Rape Or Sexual Violence Remember:
• The assault was not your fault. You are the survivor of a crime.
• Any reaction or feeling after an assault is normal.
• Sexual assault is a major crisis. Take good care of yourself.
• People often lack understanding about the issues of sexual assault. Don’t be surprised if people’s responses to your assault seem insensitive.
• Ask for help. You are not alone.
• You have every right to be upset. Take time to understand and deal with your feelings.
• Find a caring person and talk about your experience or call us
Should you choose to get an exam, you can call the Rape Crisis Center 24/7 and go straight to the Center (as long as you are not severely physically injured). You can also go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
• It’s best not to shower or eat/drink/smoke. If you want to do any of these things, you can still receive a sexual assault exam.
• If you have changed out of the clothes you were wearing during the assault, bring them to the exam in a paper bag.
• You can get a sexual assault exam up to 9 days after an assault but the sooner you have one, the better.
The Rape Crisis Center At WRC
The Rape Crisis Center is a program of the Women’s Resource Center that provides care after a sexual assault, information, and education. It is in a confidential location in Norman, Oklahoma. It is the only facility in Cleveland County where a trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and an advocate can provide sexual assault aftercare.
When you call the Rape Crisis Hotline, you can speak to an advocate over-the-phone or in-person about the assault. You will be provided with options and supported in whatever choices you make. Trained advocates can provide support, referrals, and references regardless of what services you choose to receive. If you choose to bring loved ones, an advocate will be there to provide support and advocacy for them while you are at the Rape Crisis Center. We provide services to anyone over the age of 12. The Rape Crisis Center is the place you can go for a 24/7 crisis line, to report the assault to law enforcement, and to receive a sexual assault exam, advocacy, referrals, and court advocacy. As you leave the Rape Crisis Center you will be given the option to receive follow-up advocacy in the coming weeks.
If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, or even if you aren’t sure, contact the Women’s Resource Center Rape Crisis Center (405-701-5660) or the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) for free, confidential help, day or night.
