Sexual Assault

If you have recently been assaulted, your safety is most important. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger!

What to do if you are sexually assaulted

Seek medical care as quickly as possible after a sexual assault. If you call 911, a police officer or ambulance will be able to take you to the hospital. Remember, bathing or taking a shower may compromise evidence collected by medical personnel. If you feel comfortable, wait to bathe until after you have been to the hospital. If you go to UNC Health Blue Ridge Hospital in Morganton or to Valdese Hospital in Rutherford College after being sexually assaulted, hospital staff can call an Options advocate to the hospital to support and console you.

Sexual Assault is Not Your Fault!

Whether you were sexually assaulted recently or some time ago, you are probably experiencing a wide range of feelings: shock, fear, disbelief, recurring memories, outrage, confusion, sadness, despair, and anger. Please do not lose hope. All of your feelings are valid. You did not deserve to be sexually assaulted. The offender is the only person who should be blamed.
There are many local resources that are available to you following a sexual assault, including those offered by Options. Common needs following a sexual assault include medical care, mental health support, legal help, and consolation. Options can provide direct services to victims of sexual assault, or refer you to another local agency. Options can also help you with a safety plan if the offender is someone you live with or work with. Options’ advocacy and other services are free and confidential. If you come to Options, you will be under no obligation to report a sexual assault to police or to press charges. We are here to support you, whatever you decide!

The Justice System

 Following a sexual assault, you may choose to call the police to have the offender arrested and charged with a crime. If you do, a medical exam may be taken to preserve evidence of the assault (sometimes called a “rape kit”). Police investigators may be able to take evidence from your clothing and body to prove the offender committed the crime. A nurse examiner will look for injuries related to the assault, proof that sexual activity occurred, and DNA from the offender on your clothing and body. To best preserve this evidence, do not eat, urinate, shower, bathe, douche, or brush your hair before you are examined by a medical professional. Investigators will confiscate all of the clothing that you were wearing at the time of the assault, so do not change or wash your clothes. If you go to Grace Hospital or Valdese Hospital for this exam and an Options advocate is called in to accompany you, Options will furnish you with a t-shirt and sweat pants to wear home.
A medical exam can be a powerful tool to put the offender behind bars, but it can also be very difficult emotionally to be medically examined after an assault. Options’ advocate will stay with you in the hospital during the exam to support you emotionally. We will also answer any questions you may have and will explain your legal rights. If you choose to press charges against the offender, an Options advocate will also accompany you to court during all legal proceedings.

Medical Care

Some medical concerns may not be immediately apparent, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), internal injuries and pregnancy. Even if you do not wish to have a doctor or nurse collect evidence for an investigation, please obtain a medical exam to protect yourself as soon as possible from further physical harm. Some medications, such as the “morning after pill” for pregnancy and antibiotics for STDs are most effective when administered as soon as possible. Medical care may also preserve evidence of the assault, should you wish to pursue criminal charges immediately or in the future.

Burke County Hospitals

UNC Health Blue Ridge Hospital, Morganton, NC
2201 S Sterling St, Morganton, NC 28655

Valdese General Hospital, Valdese, NC
720 Malcolm Blvd, Valdese, NC 28690

Sexual Assault Resources

The North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Options is a member of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA). For more information about sexual assault, including legislation in North Carolina, visit their web site at www.nccasa.org

Facts About Sexual Violence and Related Terminology

  • Sexual violence refers to all criminal acts of a sexual nature

  • Sexual assault is when a person is violated by sexual acts without their consent.

  • Perpetrators use intimidation, threats of harm and/or blaming to force victims into a sexual act and/or acts. This can include kissing, unwanted exposure of genitalia, fondling and sexual intercourse.

  • Sexual assaults are about power and control, not sexual gratification, love, or victim behavior!

  • Anyone can become a victim of sexual violence regardless of age, race, sex or economic standing. Most offenders are known to the victim. It could be a friend, partner, co-worker or even a family member. Education, awareness, intervention and prevention efforts are the key to breaking the cycle of sexual violence.

  • Sexual harassment is any unwanted repeated sexual behavior. It may come in the forms of comments and gestures that are hostile, offensive or degrading.

  • Rape is a sexual act of power and control that uses physical force, intimidation, coercion, threats and/or injury without the consent of the individual.

  • Date rape occurs when someone you know coerces, intimidates, uses force or drugs to get you to have sex. The drugs make those who are victims incapable of making decisions.

  • Incest is any sexual contact between a child and a person who is related or caretakers, including step-parents or partners who cohabitate. Perpetrators can be mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, grandparents, siblings and step-siblings.

Advocating for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault

Options’ Rape and Sexual Assault (RASA) program helps victims cope with their attack through crisis intervention and emotional support. Our full-time RASA advocate also makes referrals to other community agencies for the victims and families of rape and sexual assault. The RASA program empowers and supports victims through court and hospital accompaniment.

In addition to advocacy, RASA provides community education on sexual violence, awareness and prevention efforts. Knowledge and support are the two most important factors in putting an end to sexual violence. An Options staff member is on call 24 hours to accompany sexual assault victims to the hospital. Program goals are to empower victims of sexual violence and to educate Burke County about RASA issues.

Options’ rape and sexual assault program is designed to help victims cope with the most interpersonal form of violence that exists. This program provides crisis intervention and emotional support services for those who are victims of rape and sexual assault. The RASA advocate provides support services and/or referrals to other appropriate community agencies for the victims and families of rape and sexual assault. The RASA program’s goal is to empower victims through court and hospital accompaniment. This advocacy takes place through hospital, law enforcement and court experiences.

Education & Outreach

In addition to advocacy, the rape and sexual assault program provides community education on sexual violence, awareness and prevention efforts. The rape crisis advocate’s goal is to raise awareness, prevention and intervention surrounding sexual violence issues through education. Knowledge and support are the two most important factors in putting an end to sexual violence.