Common Sense ways to stay safe this Spring Break

Washington, D.C., February 29th — Did you know that college aged students are at the highest risk for being sexually assaulted? With spring break in full swing, RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, released helpful safety tips for spring break.
Whether you are headed to the beach or overseas or devoting your spring break to community service, it’s important to keep your safety top of mind. In addition to common sense travel safety tips like wearing sunscreen and keeping your passport safe, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk and prevent you or a friend from being the victim of sexual assault.

1. Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe in any situation, go with your gut. If you feel uncomfortable or something doesn’t feel right, leave and get to a safe place immediately. If someone is pressuring you, it’s better to lie and make up a reason to leave than to stay and be uncomfortable, scared, or worse.

2. Protect your location on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare etc. Think twice before sharing every detail of your spring break on Facebook and Twitter. Despite security settings, posting information about your whereabouts or activities can still reveal details that are accessible to the public. Use your best judgment when “checking-in” on Facebook or Foursquare and be cautious of revealing personal information through status updates or tweets with Twitter trends like #SpringBreak and #SB2012.

3. Get Local. Know your accommodation address and the safest routes to and from your local destinations. Have the number for local cab companies on hand and always keep enough cash on you to take a taxi home. Know who to contact in the event of an emergency, such as 911 or local authorities. If traveling internationally, have the contact information for the U.S. Embassy with you.

4. Be a good friend and stick together. Arrive together, check in with one another throughout the night, and leave together. Think twice about going off alone; if you have to separate from your friends, let them know where you are going and who you are with. If something seems questionable or someone is acting aggressively, don’t be afraid to intervene. By speaking up, you may help prevent your friend from being the victim (or perpetrator) of a crime.

5. Don’t let your guard down. A spring break destination can create a false sense of security among vacationers. Don't assume that fellow spring breakers will look out for your best interests; remember they are essentially strangers.

6. Use your cell phone as a tool. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, shoot a quick text for a "friend-assist." Make a back-up plan before you go out just in case your phone dies. If you are traveling internationally, buy a pay-as-you-go phone or contact your cell phone provider to activate international coverage during your trip.

7. Drink responsibly and know your limits. Always watch your drink being prepared, and, when possible, buy drinks in bottles. If you lose sight of your drink or believe it might have been tampered with, throw it out and get a new one. If you or a friend seem too intoxicated for the amount of alcohol consumed or you suspect that someone has been drugged, get to a hospital.

In the event of a sexual assault during spring break, seek immediate medical attention. In the U.S., call 911 for emergency help or the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) for advice and support. Information provided by RAINN.org

If you are a victim this Spring Break of sexual assault or know someone who is a victim, call someone, do not wait. Call the Police, or call Sarah's House at (928) 757-8103.

Have a safe Spring Break!!

Sexual Assault in Teenagers

It is important to carefully consider teen sexual abuse, and how to stop it. One way is education. It is important for teens and adults to understand that sexual abuse of teenagers is wrong, and that it can encompass a variety of sex acts, and that fear, impaired judgment (due to drugs, alcohol or mental state) and coercion can lead to sexual abuse, even though the victim may not actively resist. A victim whose compliance is due to factors other than a desire to engage in sexual activity has not actually consented.

While female teenagers are more likely to be sexually abused that male teenagers, cultural, racial and economic factors do not seem to have an effect on the likelihood of becoming a victim of teen sexual abuse.

Here are some teen sexual abuse statistics:

·         1 in 4 girls (25%) are sexually abused by the age of 18. 

·         1 in 6 boys (17%) are sexually abused by the age of 18. 

·         Most teen sexual abuse victims (7 in 10, or 70%) know their abuser. It is generally a family member, or someone close to the family. 

·         Of female Americans who are raped, 54 percent of them experience this type of sexual abuse for the first time before they are 18. 

·         A victim of one incident of teen sexual abuse is likely to experience further sexual abuse. 

·         Teenagers account for 51% of all reported sexual abuse 

·         Teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 are 3.5 times more likely than the general public to be victims of sexual abuse. 

·         69% of the incidences of teen sexual abuse occur in a residence. 

·         23% of all sexual offenders are under the age of 18 

·         Female victims of teen sexual abuse while in grades 9 through 12 are more likely than others to experience eating disorders, suicidal behavior, pregnancy and risky sexual behaviors.

·         Only about 31% of teen sexual abuse incidents are reported. Social stigma, fear of retribution and the trauma of not being believed all contribute to the lack or reporting.

SPEAK UP

If you or someone you know is a victim or abuse, speak up, don't wait.
Talk to someone you trust, a teacher, a friend, a preacher, or a police officer.

Its okay to tell, it only takes ONE voice.

What to do if you are sexually assaulted/raped

Believe in yourself.  Know that when you are forced to have ANY form of sexual contact without your consent, it is NOT your fault.

Find a safe environment - anywhere away from the attacker. Contact someone immediately that you trust to come and stay with you for support.

Do not change your clothes, do not bathe or brush your teeth. Do not go to the bathroom if possible. This is in order to preserve evidence if you choose to make a police report. Going to the Advocacy Center or hospital does not always mean you have to notify the police. It is for your medical safety to be examined. Even with no visible physical injuries, it is important to determine if internal injuries were sustained (such as tearing or bruising), and to weigh the risks of STDs and pregnancy.

Write down all the details you can recall about the assault and the perpetrator, even if it is someone you know.  

In order to preserve any forensic evidence, ask the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) nurse and the advocate to explain what the Forensic Evidence Kit is, how it is performed, what the process is once it is completed and the benefits of the procedure. If there was no penetration, you may still have the kit completed to obtain evidence elsewhere on your body.

If you suspect you may have been drugged, report immediately to SANE Nurse. The window period to collect evidence of drugs (either through a urine sample or blood) is extremely short.

Report the sexual assault to local law enforcement authorities, even if the assault occurred in another district. An advocate can provide the information you'll need to understand the criminal justice system process.

Recognize that healing from sexual assault or any trauma takes time. Allow yourself the time you will need to recover emotionally, mentally, and physically. There is no set time frame for your healing process.

The Secret

Volunteer Your Time, the greatest gift you have!

Would you like to donate some of your spare time to charity? Sarah's Foundation is looking for people who would like to be a member of our 2012 Charity Golf Tournament committee or our 2012 Gala committee. If you are interested in joining contact Jennette Fisher at (928) 757-8103 or e-mail me at jfisher@sarahshouseaz.org. Both committees meet once per month and will give you a chance to give back to the community with a group of fantastic and fun people dedicated to helping victims in Mohave County! We need YOUR help in making a difference in the lives of assault victims. Please Repost if you are from Mohave County, Arizona.

The Gala...

The night was a huge success raising nearly $100,000 for our victims. We could not have done it without all of our supporters. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts as do the victims.