This document provides information and guidance on assisting victims of sexual assault. It discusses statistics on sexual assault, defining concepts like rape culture and the impact of sexual assault. It offers best practices for counseling victims, including believing them, validating their feelings, allowing silence, exploring options without pressure, and avoiding victim-blaming. Finally, it lists local resources for crisis counseling, shelters, legal advocacy, mental health services and free forensic medical exams.

1. Best Practices for Working with
Victims of Sexual Assault,
Domestic Violence & Other Violent
Crimes
Lydia Diaz, Educator
Deborah Foley, Victim Advocate
Ulster County Crime Victims’
Assistance Program

2. Sexual Assault on Campus: Statistics
• 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault on
campus.¹
• 80% of sexual assault victims are under the age
of 30.¹
• More than 50% of sexual assault victims do not
report the incident.¹
• Freshman/Sophomores are at higher risk for
being victims of sexual assault (84%)²
• In out of 3 cases of sexual assault, the perpetrator
was intoxicated.¹
 ¹U.S. Department of Justice
 ²http://www.campussafetymagazine.com/article/Sexual-Assault-
Statistics-and-Myths

3. What is Rape Culture?
• Societal mores and values that normalize rape.
• It tends to exist in an atmosphere where men,
women & children are objectified/sexualized.
• It is often perpetrated through printed media, on
TV and in movies and other outlets.
• It is not viewed as a problem, but is simply “the
way things are.”
• As a result, charges of rape often result in
victim-blaming and minimization.

4. The Impact of Sexual Assault
• Psychological trauma – Dissociation.
• Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder –
hyper-vigilence, sleep/eating disturbances.
• Emotional trauma – anger, fear, betrayal.
• Physiological trauma – elevated cortisol,
epinephrine and norepinephrine impacts our
memory system.³
• Physical pain.
• Seemingly “inappropriate” behaviors – i.e.
giggling, smiling.
 “Understanding the Impact of Sexual Assault”, Sandra Bloom,
MD

5. What is the appropriate response?
Safety first:
 Does the victim need medical attention?
 Is there an ongoing threat from the
perpetrator(s)?
 Were there witnesses present?
 Did the incident occur on-campus or off-
campus?
 Our role is not to interrogate, but to contract for
safety and to provide support and guidance in
the moment.

6. Counseling Victims of Sexual Assault
• See Handout “Tips for Counselors”
• Active Listening – provides the victim with
feedback that is supportive and helps to
develop a helping relationship.
• Begin where the victim is, either with seeking
assistance to press charges, to seek medical
attention, or with other identified needs.
• Identify additional support system(s) that may
be able to assist the victim immediately.
 Ask the victim if he/she would like someone to
speak to them.
 In the absence of supports, have your resource
list handy.

7. What to do
• DO believe the victim Only 1-2% of victims lie
about sexual assault/rape.
• DO let the victim know that what they are feeling
is normal.
• DO let the victim know that it is not his/her fault.
Let the victim know that you’re sorry that this
happened to him/her.
• DO allow for periods of silence.
• DO ask how you can help.
• DO help the victim explore options available to
resolve their particular situation.

8. What Not to Do
• DO NOT touch or hug the victim unless you’re invited to or
are certain that they are comfortable with this.
• DO Not tell the victim that everything is OK; it’s not.
• DO Not force the victim to tell you details. You are not
there to interrogate.
• DO NOT ask questions that imply that the victim is to
blame for what happened (e.g. why didn’t you scream? or
Were you drinking?).
• DO NOT tell the victim what to do; help them to explore
their options.
• DO NOT tell anyone else about the incident without the
victim’s consent.
• DO NOT make statements that might be unsettling (e.g.
We’ll get that monster!)

9. Resources Available
• Ulster County Crime Victims’ Assistance
Program – 340-3443
 Advocates for victims of violence crimes
 Crisis counseling
 Support group for victims of sexual assault
 Accompaniment – to hospital, police, courts
 24-hour Hotline (340-3442)
 Volunteer Program with 40-hour Sexual Assault
Training (Spring & Fall)
 Can assist with OVS application for
reimbursement for lost/damaged essential
personal property, medical costs, etc.

10. Resources Available (cont’d)
• Family of Woodstock – Washbourne House (Domestic
Violence Shelter) – 24-hour Hotline (338-2370); they will
arrange pick-up.
• Ulster Family Court, Lucas Avenue, Kingston – Provides
Orders of Protection for cases involving a family member
or intimate partner (481-9430)
• Mental Health Resources – Hudson Valley Mental Health
(340-4000); in Kingston, Highland, and Ellenville. Or
contact Crime Victims for a list of providers.
• Medical Assistance - Health Alliance, Kingston Campus –
Has S.A.N.E. Unit with nurses who are trained Forensic
Examiners. The cost for the examination and all related
medications is free for the victim.