| Prev | Back
to Publications Index
The Law
Acquaintance rape is a crime in Illinois. There is no legal
difference between sexual assault by a stranger and sexual
assault by an acquaintance.
Under Illinois law, consent is one thing
and one thing only: a clear “YES” to the sexual
act in question. If the victim does not fight back or escape,
the law does not
presume that the victim consented. If the victim knows the
offender, the law still does not presume consent.
A sexual assault victim can talk with the
police and State’s
Attorney about prosecution of the case. The sexual assault
law gives the State’s Attorney many options for prosecuting
sex offenders.
Your Rights
In a relationship:
- You have the right to a life without violence.
- You have the right to reject unwanted attention.
- You have the right to change your mind whenever
you want to.
- You have the right to be yourself without
changing to
please others.
- You have the right to dress or act seductively
without
promising to have sex.
- You have the right to decide whether you
want physical and
sexual contact.
- You have the right to start a relationship
slowly.
- You have the right to change a relationship
when your
feelings change.
- You have the right to say “NO.”
After an assault:
- You have the right to medical treatment
at a hospital
emergency room.
- You have the right to report the assault
to police.
- You have the right to be treated fairly and with dignity
during the medical and criminal justice processes.
- You have the right to be notified of court
proceedings
related to your case.
- You have the right to bring an advocate
or other support
person to all court proceedings.
- You have the right to restitution.
Talk to Each Other
Communication between men and women can help stop acquaintance
rape. Being aware of what you want, talking together, understanding
each other’s needs and
respecting limits are all part of the struggle to stop sexual assault. Each person
needs to know and state clearly their sexual desires and limits. Women need to
trust their intuition. If you feel afraid, say so and leave the situation, if
possible. Men must accept limits. A woman means what she says. Don’t assume
previous permission for sex means she wants to have sex with you again.
Men need to Step Up
A common myth is that women are supposed to stop sexual assault.
But it is men’s
responsibility not to assault women. Men need to take responsibility for their
actions. Men need to listen to their partner. Men need to believe that “no” means “no.
”Forcing
sex means you really don’t care about the person you are with.
Men should respect a woman’s right to not have sex. Men need to help stop
behaviors that lead to acquaintance rape. Men should not use or
condone the use of date rape drugs and
should stop a friend’s attempt to take advantage of a woman who is drunk.
Men need to speak up to each other and to challenge beliefs that support rape.
Men need to stop rape.
For more information contact your local rape
crisis center or ICASA at 217-753-4117,
www.icasa.org.
Prev | Back
to Publications Index
|
