Published by the Illinois Coalition Against
Sexual Assault September 2002
What Is Acquaintance Rape?
Acquaintance rape is a sexual assault crime committed by someone
who knows the victim. As a sexual assault crime, acquaintance
rape includes forced, manipulated or coerced sexual contact.
If someone has forced you to have sex, that is rape – even
if you know the attacker.
The Facts …
- A woman is four times more likely to be raped by an acquaintance
than by a stranger.
- The rapist may be a date,
neighbor, boss, co-worker, delivery person, repair
worker, spouse or anyone else you know.
- It can happen any time
and any place.
- One in four college women were victims of
rape or attempted rape while they were students. Eighty
four percent of them knew the rapist. Fifty-seven percent
of the rapes
happened during a date.
- Twelve percent of college men reported that
they had physically restrained a woman to gain sexual
advantage.
- Acquaintance rape is rarely reported to police.
Less than 2% of acquaintance rape victims reported the
assault; 21% of women raped by strangers reported the crime
to police.
If you are a victim of acquaintance rape,
it may help if you tell someone about the assault or abuse and
ask for help. The information in this booklet is intended
to aid you with the decisions you will be making.
What Can I Do?
If you have been raped, remember that it is not
your fault.
Rape Crisis Center
You may want to call a rape crisis center about
the assault. A rape crisis counselor will
talk with you
in person
or on the phone. A crisis worker can
go with you
to the hospital, police station and court appointments.
Medical Care
You may want to get medical attention. The medical staff
can examine you for injuries and test for infections and
pregnancy.
Hospital
personnel can also
inform you about emergency contraception. If you go to
a hospital emergency room within
72 hours, the hospital can collect evidence of the assault.
Law Enforcement
You may want to report the crime to the police and pursue
prosecution of the offender.
If I Know A Rape Victim?
Support
If you know someone who has been raped, be supportive.
Do not blame the victim. Rape is a crime, and blame
belongs with the
person
that committed
the crime.
Remember that it is never the victim’s fault.
Listen and Help
Respond to what she says she needs – not what you think
she needs. Support her in calling a rape crisis center and
getting medical
attention.
If she wants
to report to police, offer to go with her. If she
does not want to report, respect her decision.
Action
Offer to help make phone calls for her. Offer to
drive her to the hospital, police station and rape
crisis
center. Offer
to
stay
with her during
the medical examination
and interviews.
Next Page: If I Know A Rape Victim?
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