It is every person’s human right to a life free of violence Business P F PO Box 555, Drummoyne NSW 2047 ABN Counselling NSW Rape Crisis nswrapecrisis.com.au 1800RESPECT respect.org.au Sexual Assault sexualassaultcounselling.org.au Counselling Australia

Myths and Realities Myths give sex offenders excuses. It could never happen to me. Anyone can experience sexual assault or domestic violence. Women ask for it by the way they dress and behave. If you have money in your pocket does that mean you want to be robbed? Sexual assault is about uncontrolled lust. It is a violent assault. Sexual assault is committed in dark alleys by strangers. Most victims know their attackers. Men don’t get sexually assaulted. Yes, they do. She can always leave. Grooming, children and community attitudes Men experience domestic violence at the same rate as women. Overwhelmingly it is women who experience such violence. Alcohol causes domestic violence. Most are sober when they are violent.

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence in NSW 10,700 sexual or indecent assaults reported to NSW Police in % of sexual assaults are reported. Same period < 600 convictions. 1% conviction rate. Over 120,000 call outs for domestic violence. 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault at some stage in their life. For domestic violence it is 1 in 3.

Sexual Assault is any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature, by one or a group of people against another without consent. Sexual assault is divided into two categories: Sexual assaulttouching or penetration of the vagina or anus with a penis, finger, tongue or any implement, or touching or penetration of the mouth by a penis or vagina. Indecent assault any other unwanted sexualised behaviour such as grabbing a person’s breasts or penis, exposing genitals, showing a person, who is under 18, pornography. It is a crime to participate in sexual activity with a person under the age of 16 years. Aggravated sexual assault indicates use of a weapon, force or threat. Sexual assault in company is gang rape.

The Law of Consent Consent must be given freely and voluntarily. The person consenting must have the capacity to consent. In Court a defendant will have to show what steps he took to ensure consent. The jury will be directed to use the reasonable person test. Under the old laws a woman was considered to be in a permanent state of consent. Only when she withdrew consent was she not consenting. This has now changed.

Domestic Violence It aims to hurt, humiliate, control and demean it is about power. Includes physical, sexual, social, psychological, emotional, spiritual, financial. Do not need to be co habituating. Police Courts can issue protection orders. A protection order is not a criminal offence but not following the directions of the order is.

Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Trauma Symptoms Re- experiencing or intrusion flashbacks and nightmares difficulty concentrating anxiety, panic attacks shame, guilt powerlessness Avoidance Shock, disbelief disorientation isolation dissociation depression self injury suicide Arousal fear of perpetrator and/or of re assault exaggerated startle response Hypervigilance anger

Initial response Do’s Listen to the story Let them express how they feel Let them cry Encourage them Don’t worry the story don’t add up Don’t Tell them what to do or take over Ask the ‘why’ questions Get angry on their behalf Assume you know how they feel Accept their decisions

Important things to say… Say….This is heard as… He had no right to do that to you.I believe you. What happened is a crime.It was not your fault. I will do what I can to help.You are not alone. Respond compassionately

Look after yourself Assisting someone who has been sexually assaulted is difficult. Their story can be distressing. This can impact on you, its called vicarious trauma. Have strategies to manage the impact. family and friends, laughter and fun, debrief and supervision, be self aware, make sure you self care. You are only human

24/7 telephone and online professional counselling and support is available for anyone in Australia who has experienced sexual assault, domestic or family violence and their non offending family members and friends. Clinical debrief and support for professionals assisting someone who has experienced sexual assault, domestic or family violence. Counselling in NSW Women’s Health Centres for adults who experienced sexual assault in childhood. Business P F PO Box 555, Drummoyne NSW 2047 ABN /7 Counselling NSW Rape Crisis rape-dvservices.org.au 1800RESPECT respect.org.au