There is Hope for Victoms of Sexual Abuse

If you or your loved one has been the victim of sexual assault it is important to remember that you are not alone. Every two minutes somewhere in America someone is sexually assaulted. One in 6 women and one in 33 men have been sexually assaulted. Remember, no matter what, you are not to blame and there is help available.

HopeHouse offers individuals in, and around, Maury County safety, support, and understanding of the assault they have experienced.

Hope House is a community-based agency that advocates for victim-survivors and their families. Hope House embraces the goal of providing support and information so that a victim may empower herself or himself to heal, while respecting the victim-survivor’s decisions.

Services for Sexual Assault Victims
24 HOUR HOTLINE 931.381.8580
HOSPITAL ACCOMPANIMENT
ONE ON ONE CASE MANAGEMENT
COURT ADVOCACY
CRISIS INTERVENTION
EMERGENCY SHELTER
ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT
SUPPORT GROUP

ALL HOPE HOUSE SERVICES ARE CONFIDENTIAL
We serve any individual whose life has been impacted by sexual assault, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, disability, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, income, or marital status

WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?
Sexual assault is any sexual behavior initiated in the absence of clear, knowing, and voluntary consent that causes that person to feel uncomfortable, frightened, or intimidated.
An individual cannot consent who is:

• Obviously incapacitated by any drug or intoxicant
• Who has been purposely compelled by force, threat of force, or deception
• Whose ability to consent or resist is impaired due to mental or physical condition
• Who is coerced by an authority figure

Sexual assault can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, gender, class status, sexual orientation, ability, religion, or physical appearance. There is no particular time of day or place where sexual assault does not occur. There are things that we can do to reduce our risks of experiencing sexual assault, but the only person who can stop rape completely is the rapist.

IS IT RAPE IF THE VICTIM AND PERPETRATOR ARE MARRIED?
Yes! Any time someone forces another to have sex without consent it is rape.

IS IT RAPE EVEN IF YOU DO NOT FIGHT BACK OR SAY NO?
Yes! Everyone responds differently to threatening situations. It is not unusual for a person to be so frightened that they freeze up and can’t say no or fight off the attacker. They may fear for their life if they fight. It does not matter how the victim responds, the perpetrator is always to blame! Remember the important thing is you survived!

What To Do If You Have Experienced A Recent Sexual Assault

• Call someone for support (a trusted friend/professor/therapist/911).
  You can call the Crisis Line and a trained Advocate can accompany you to the hospital, provide information, support, and/or advocacy.
  Hope House Crisis Hotline: (931) 381-8580 (24 Hours)
  National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE
• Don’t bathe, douche, or change clothes.
  Washing or changing clothes may remove forensic evidence. If you do bathe, douche, or change clothes, a hospital will still provide a forensic evidence exam. If you are considering reporting your assault to law enforcement, it is beneficial for a forensic exam to be completed within a 72 hour period after an assault.
• Get medical attention.
  Both your physical and emotional well-being is important. You could have an internal injury, a sexually transmitted disease, or become pregnant. A medical exam could also provide important evidence for prosecution. If you do not want to file a police report you can still receive medical attention.
• Make a police report.
• If you suspect you have experienced a drug facilitated sexual assault or were given date rape drugs go to the hospital immediately. These drugs can harm you and any evidence of the drug leaves the body quickly.

Remember a victim of sexual assault is never responsible for the assault. Since it is impossible to guess which situations are safe and which are dangerous, the responsibility for sexual assault falls solely on the perpetrators!!!

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