Sexual assault and rape uses sex as a weapon to hurt, have power over someone and control someone. They are acts of violence.
Consensual sexual activity between adults is not sexual assault.
The after effects of sexual assault can include nightmares, fear, shame, guilt, inability to sleep, a loss of trust, grief and anger.
For a member of the LGBTTQQ communities, these feelings may be heightened and further complicated by misconceptions or prejudices, heterosexism, or the fear that these will be there, in the criminal justice system, medical personnel, and mental health system. These factors can make it much harder for a survivor of sexual assault to trust that they can reach out or to talk about what happened and receive the sensitivity and assistance they need to heal.
Members of the LGBTTQQ communities or those who are perceived correctly or incorrectly as not being heterosexual are at risk of hate crimes involving sexual acts, so the trauma of a sexual assault or rape may also be enhanced and complicated by the trauma of surviving a hate crime as well.
Call the CNVC 24 hour crisis line at 1-800-4544766 or 209-533-3401 as soon as possible if you have been sexually assaulted or raped or are a victim of a hate crime that includes sexual assault or rape.
CNVC advocates will accompany and support you through peer counseling, medical-legal exam, law enforcement interview, investigation and in court.
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, call CNVC’s 24 hour crisis line at 1-800-454-4766 or 209-533-3401 right away.
