Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)

Ouachita Member Agencies:

Ouachita Correctional Center

4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office

Primary Health Services Center

Louisiana Delta Community College

University of Louisiana at Monroe

Services available for a person who has been sexually assaulted:

• Civil legal services
• Assistance filing law enforcement reports
• Assistance obtaining protective orders
• Consultation with District Attorney’s office
• Domestic violence and/or sexual assault education
• Translation services (by appointment)

What you can do to prevent sexual assault

• Maintain healthy, respectful relationships that allow you to set limits, feel safe and get support.
• Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact or behavior including groping, forced kissing, undesired exposure to exhibitionism or pornography, sexting and other forms of digital abuse, as well as rape.
• Anyone regardless of gender, age, race, income level, sexual orientation, or ability can be victimized.
• Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity. By asking your partner for consent you are showing respect for them and yourself. Consent matters for both partners.
• A person that is forced or coerced, unconscious, or too intoxicated cannot give consent.
• You can withdraw consent or change your mind at any point. It is important to clearly communicate to your partner that you are no longer comfortable with this activity and wish to stop.
• Sex or sexual acts without your consent is sexual assault. Sexual assault is a crime!

What to do after a sexual assault:

Immediately After Being Assaulted:

• Get to a safe location away from the person who assaulted you.
• If at all possible, do not take a bath, shower, brush your teeth, wash your hands, change your clothes, eat, drink, smoke, or use the toilet before going to the ER.
• If you have removed the clothing you were wearing during the assault, bring them to the ER with you in a paper bag.
• In Ouachita Parish, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) specially trained to collect evidence and care for sexual assault victims will examine you and collect evidence in case you choose to prosecute.
• Specially trained volunteers are also often available to escort you and help you through this process. They can tell you about other services that are available to you.
• Tell the ER staff if you woke up with memory loss, felt you were more intoxicated than usual with less alcohol, or had clothing missing or on incorrectly.
• Follow up medical care and counseling are available free of charge. Call The Wellspring at (318) 323-1505 or the 24/7 crisis line at 1-888-411-1333.

How to Get Help:

• Call 911. Your call will automatically be reported to law enforcement.
• Call the Family Justice Center at (318) 998-6030 or the 24/7 crisis line at 1-888-411-1333.
  Victims 18 years of age and older, do not have to report to law enforcement in order to have evidence collected.
• Go to any hospital emergency room and tell them you have been sexually assaulted. You may opt to have evidence collected or receive medical treatment only.

How a Bystander Can Help a Victim of Sexual Assault:

• They can create a distraction. Distract the couple or take one person aside. Cut off the conversation with a diversion like, “Let’s get pizza, I’m starving.” Or “I don’t feel well can you take me home?”
• They can talk directly to the person who might be in trouble. Ask questions like, “Who did you come here with?” “Would you like me to call somebody for you?” Tell the person whose behavior concerns you that you don’t like what he or she has done, or ask them how they would feel if someone they cared about was being assaulted.
• They can refer to someone in authority. Sometimes the safest way to intervene is to refer to a neutral party with the authority to change the situation, like an RA or security guard. Don’t hesitate to call 911. You can call The Wellspring 24-hour crisis line at (318) 323-1505.
• They can enlist others. It can be intimidating to approach a situation alone. Enlist another person to support you, such as a friend of loved one.

Safety and Partying with Alcohol:

• Never leave your drink unattended.
• Accept only drinks you order, see prepared and carry yourself.
• Don’t drink from punch bowls or large, open containers..