The Monterey County Rape Crisis Center (MCRCC) is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to advocate for all victims and survivors of sexual assault and child sexual abuse, to prevent sexual violence in our community through education, and to provide ongoing support and healing to survivors of sexual assault.
 
 
 

If you have been sexually assaulted, the most important thing is your safety!

Make sure you are in a safe environment and your attacker will not be able to hurt you again. Once your safety is secured, your next step should be to seek medical attention. The Monterey County Rape Crisis Center offers accompaniments to the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) for individuals who have reported the crime to law enforcement as part of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) program. For more information on SART, click here.

If you wish to report the crime, there are a few important things to remember:

- Do not shower, bathe, douche, wash your hands, brush your teeth or use the toilet. If you do, it's not too late to report or get help.

- Do not change or destroy clothing, and don't straighten up...we know it's difficult not to clean up, but if you are considering prosecution, the best way to collect evidence is by not showering or destroying your clothes.

- Whether or not you choose to report, get medical attention immediately for physical injuries or to be tested for possible pregnancy or
sexually-transmitted diseases. Hospital personnel will discuss with you the risks of pregnancy, STDs and HIV/AIDS.

- It will be your decision whether or not to report and/or take prophylaxes as prevention.

- Medical attention can also help attend to non-visible, internal bleeding.

Note: Please be aware that medical providers may be required to inform law enforcement. It is your choice to cooperate with the police, and you have the right to ask for a rape crisis counselor/advocate to be present.

Seek support from a friend or family member you trust and/or call the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center hotline (831) 375-4357 for support, accompaniment and/or information. This anonymous and confidential service provides knowledgeable and sensitive support, guidance and information.

It may take awhile...

Rape is about domination, power, coercion and assault. Know that it was NOT YOUR FAULT! Whatever your reaction was at the time of the assault, you did the right thing.

Remember, you were never given a lesson on how to react before, during or after you are assaulted. We all react differently to fear and your response probably saved your life! You are not to blame!

One way to counteract feelings of blame is to write down and sign a piece of paper saying "I am not to blame." Look at this whenever feelings of
self-doubt occur and know that rape was never your fault! Any form of journaling or involving yourself in extra-curricular activities can help minimize feelings of anger and blame.

Find something you enjoy and do it!

Long after the physical scars are healed, emotional scars can persist. There is no time line for someone to overcome their feelings when it comes to being raped. Time is the best healer, but counseling provides an effective way to help organize one's feelings.

Rape sometimes has a way of resurfacing at later times in life when not dealt with properly.

TRUST YOURSELF! One of the worst things about rape is the loss of
self-trust.

Especially in date rape situations, you trusted someone and that person betrayed you. In healing, you must begin to trust yourself again. It is difficult to move ahead and offer forgiveness (see below) without first regaining trust for yourself.

It is normal to sometimes feel empathy or compassion for your rapist. Rapists have a peculiar way of making themselves appear the victim. Forgiveness is yours to give, but don't risk yourself and your happiness for someone else's.

Speaking with an educated counselor can give an unbiased perspective and assist you in dealing with the assault.

If you find yourself surrounded by people who do not support you or blame you for what happened GET OUT of the situation. It is important that you get the support you need and take care of yourself. You are your number one priority.

BE PATIENT with yourself and know that regardless of the circumstances, you are not to blame, and you are not alone.

Don't expect change to happen overnight!

Sexual assault can be emotionally and physically damaging. Healing takes time.

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"It is only when we speak out that we step out of the rapist's prison, it is only when we speak out that we begin removing the poison the attack left in us."


"Sometimes we go through the greatest pain, just before we reach our reward."


  
     
     
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