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Womens' Crisis

"No Means No"

Women's Crisis Services is a non profit organization that provides victims of domestic and sexual violence with a network of long and short term support, advocacy, and education so that they may become empowered, self-reliant individuals.

Find out what help is available. All Services are free and confidential

What Is Sexual Violence?

  • Sexual Violence can include sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse and sexual harassment. Women, men and children of all ages, ethnic and economic backgrounds and sexual orientations can be victims of sexual violence.
  • Sexual Assault is forced, coerced or manipulated sexual acts. It can range from intentional touching of one's genitals to sexual penetration of any body opening without one's consent. Sexual assault can happen between spouses, intimate partners, acquaintances, on a date, or by a stranger.
  • Childhood Sexual Abuse is sexual assault or sexual contact between a child and an adult in which threats, bribery or similar methods are used to coerce the child to participate. This abuse is the betrayal of trust by any person in a position of power, authority, implied trust over a child.

There is no right or wrong way to respond to sexual violence.  Sexual assault is a life-threatening situation and whatever you did to survive was the right thing to do. Always remember that submission to sexual violence is not the same thing as "consenting". You are still a victim of a crime.

Although rape survivors return to their normal routines relatively soon after the assault, often they experience some aspect of the rape in flashbacks or nightmares. It is very common for survivors to remember their experience months, even years, after the rape occurred.

If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted

  • Go to a safe place - call a friend and/or rape crisis advocate from Women's Crisis Services. 352-3782, 532-6800 or 1-800-852-3388
  • Don't wash, bathe, douche, or change clothes before going for help. You may destroy crucial evidence should you decide to press charges.
  • It is very important to receive medical attention quickly for treating injuries sustained during the assault, test for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and collecting evidence to be used if you choose to press charges in the future.
  • It is important to report the crime to the police. If the assault goes unreported, the assailant will most likely be a repeat offender.
  • A trained sexual assault crisis advocate will meet you at the hospital and/or police station if you wish. The advocate is there to offer you support and answer any questions you may have. Any information you share with the advocate is confidential.

Sexual violence is never the victim's fault. No one deserves to be sexually assaulted.

"NO MEANS NO" And anyone who does not respect that statement needs to know...

"AGAINST YOUR WILL IS AGAINST THE LAW."

The process of healing and regaining trust after being sexually assaulted, especially by someone you know, is a long one. Not only has your body been violated, but your faith in another person has been betrayed. It might take a while for you to feel safe and secure again, but in time you will be able to go on.

Healing from sexual assault begins when you are ready to deal with what happened to you. Talking about the assault and your feelings with someone you can trust can help. We at Women's Crisis Services are here to listen, help you explore your options, and provide support.

If Someone You Know Has Been Sexually Assaulted

  • Be Supportive - It's very important to have a good support system in place.
  • Be Available -  Survivors need to talk about the abuse/assault and their feelings surrounding it with someone they trust and feel comfortable with.
  • Listen - Don't be judgmental - assure the person that he/she is not to blame regardless of the events leading up to the attack.
  • Be Patient And Understanding - Support all decisions the survivor makes - Whether or not he/she reports the assault or seeks other help.
  • Know Your Own Limits - Get help yourself. Talk to an advocate even if your friend doesn't want to.

Facts on Sexual Assault

  • Every minute in the United States there are 1.3 forcible rapes of adult women; 78 women are forcibly raped each hour. Every day 1,871 women are forcibly raped equating to 56,916 forcible rapes each month.
  • Ninety percent of all rapes are planned. In 87% of the cases the assailant either carried a weapon or threatened the victim with death if she resisted.
  • The rate of sexual assault in the United States is the highest of any industrialized nation in the world. During the past 10 years the sexual assault rates in the United States have risen nearly 4 times as fast as the total crime rate.  The United States has a Sexual Assault crime rate 13 times higher than Germany and more than 20 times higher than Japan.
  • Women do not lie about rape. The FBI reports that false accusation account for only 2% of all reported sexual assaults. This is no higher than false reports for any other crime.
  • Rape crisis centers report that 78% of all sexual assaults occur between people who know each other.
  • It is estimated that 1 our of 4 women will be sexually assaulted on a college campus. The attacker will be a fellow student 80% of the time.
  • Females who have been sexually assaulted range in age as young as 2 months old to 97 years old.

Domestic Violence is the abusive use of power and control over a spouse, intimate partner, or family household member. It does not discriminate with regard to age, gender, race, income or sexual orientation. Domestic violence can by physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

When a stranger on the street assaults a woman, we know that a crime has been committed. When the very same thing happens in our own homes, we may lose the ability to understand what has happened. Violence at the hands of someone we love is frightening and degrading. It is also against the law. Remember you are not the cause of someone else's abuse of you. You have the right to live free from abuse. You are not alone.

What Is Abuse?

Physical abuse is more than just battering and includes:

  • Slapping, hitting, kicking, spitting, punching walls, breaking things, pulling hair, biting, arm twisting, use of weapons, restraining you, stalking.
  • Verbal or Emotional is the use of words to break a person's spirit. Self-esteem is ruined. It can encompass:
  • Yelling, shouting, name calling, put-downs, isolation, threats of physical abuse, humiliation in front of family/friends, destruction of personal property and/or pets, disrespect for feelings and opinions, blaming you for situations, jealousy, possessiveness, mind games, stalking, silent treatment, making all decisions.

Economic: Interfering with your work, not letting you have a job, withholding money, not letting you keep money you've earned, controlling your access to financial resources.

Sexual: Rape, unwanted touching, sexual comments, pressuring you for sex, disregarding safe words, refusing to talk about or use any contraception, uncomfortable stares.

If You are a Victim of Domestic Violence:

  • Go to a safe place - call a friend and/or the Crisis Center for help. A trained advocate can provide you with immediate support and information.
  • If you are still in danger, the Crisis Center advocate can contact the police or emergency services for you.
  • It is important to remember that unless the abuse gets a clear message that you won't tolerate any more violence, it will not only continue, but it will most likely increase.
  • Remember, whatever you tell a Crisis Center advocate is confidential. No one else has any right to know what you have said and the advocate will not take any action without your consent.
  • If you are the victim of ongoing emotional abuse and just need to talk to someone, call the Crisis Center. The advocate can help by listening, by offering alternatives, by just being there for you.
  • No one deserves to be beaten, or to live in constant fear of abuse - whatever its form
  • No one has the right to control, to threaten, or abuse another. There is no "good reason" to be abusive to anyone, nor any reason for the victim to accept the blame for the abuser's actions.
How Can We Help You?
  • Call our 24 Hour Crisis Hotline Toll Free: 1-800-852-3388
  • Keene (603) 352-3782
  • Jaffrey (603) 532-6800
  • Or visit their website at: www.mcvprevention.org