FAQ

Where can I get medical help if I have been sexually assaulted?
Can I have an advocate with me? 
Does the exam cost money? 
Who can have the exam? 
What if I have already showered? 
What if I can't remember what happened?  
What if it happened a while ago? 
Will my clothes be taken as evidence? 
Whom do I call to report a sexual assault?
Can I have someone with me? 
Do I have to report the assault? 
Will the police believe me? 
What happens after I talk to the police? 
What are my rights as a victim of crime? 
Someone I know has been sexually assaulted. How can I help?
Someone I know has been sexually assaulted . What is NOT helpful?
A child I know has been sexually assaulted. How can I help?
What is the statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual abuse?
What is the statute of limitations for bringing a civil suit?
What is the age of consent in Iowa? 
When must a sexual assault be reported to law enforcement or DHS?
What kinds of protective orders and no contact orders are available to sexual assault victims? 

Where can I get medical help if I have been sexually assaulted?  
If you are in danger or need immediate emergency medical attention call 911.

If you were sexually assaulted recently, you may want to go to a local hospital for a sexual assault evidentiary examination.

Whether or not you want to seek medical help is your decision. It can be helpful to know, though, that it's very common for survivors to question the reality of their assault, regardless of the circumstances, right after the incident. This is one form of coping with the trauma of sexual violence. It's not uncommon, however, to feel differently about reporting the assault at a later time. To check out your physical well-being and to preserve critical physical evidence of rape, a medial examination can be a good option.

This examination is also time when you can get medical advice and medication in case you have contracted a sexually transmitted infection(STI) or the assault has resulted in an unwanted pregnancy. The exam is paid for by the State of Iowa.

Call your local rape crisis center or sexual assault program to find out about which hospitals near you perform the exam.
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Can I have an advocate with me? 
You are entitled to have an advocate from a sexual assault crisis center present with you to provide support during the exam.
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Does the exam cost money?
The sexual assault evidence exam and follow-up treatment are free. You should not receive a bill. This is true even if you decide not to report the crime to the police.
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 Who can have the exam? 
The exam is available to women and men who have been assaulted.
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What if I have already showered? 
It is still fine to go ahead and have the exam if you have already showered. However, if the assault just happened, wait until after the exam to shower or bathe, so that the greatest amount of evidence might be preserved.
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What if I can't remember what happened? 
If you cannot remember what happened, you may have been given drugs without your knowledge. If you are not sure what happened, but think you may have been assaulted, it is okay to go to the hospital for an exam. If you have had any period of amnesia associated with the assault, try not to urinate until you get to the hospital and tell the staff you'd like to give a urine sample to screen for possible drugs.
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What if it happened a while ago? 
Sometimes people who have been assaulted don't seek medical care right away. Even if you were assaulted a while ago, it is okay to go to the doctor in order to get checked out for STD's, pregnancy, etc. Some local clinics may provide free or reduced rates for people who have been sexually assaulted but choose not to have the evidentiary exam. 
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Will my clothes be taken as evidence? 
The clothing you wore during the assault will probably be kept as evidence if you decide to report the crime to police and if you consent to the release of the clothing.

If you are still wearing the clothes you had on during the assault, it might be best to wear them to the exam and bring a change of clothing with you to wear home.

If you have already changed your clothes, bring the clothes you were wearing during the assault with you to the hospital in a paper bag.

Even if the assault was some time ago, your clothing may contain evidence.

You can be reimbursed for clothing that is held as evidence through the Iowa Crime Victim Compensation Program. Ask your advocate about it or call 
1-800-373-9044 for more information.
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Whom do I call to report a sexual assault?
An assault should be reported to the law enforcement agency that covers the area where the assault happened. If you live in a city, but were assaulted in the country, you'd probably call the county sheriff. You can also call a county attorney about the assault if you choose. If you are confused about where to report the assault, advocates at your local rape crisis center or the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline (1-800-284-7821) can help you.
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Can I have someone with me? 
Yes. You can call your local sexual assault crisis center and ask for an advocate to be with you when you report. Sexual assault victim advocates have special training in working with law enforcement to help you. They can give you support and make sure your questions are answered.

If you are speaking with the police and a sexual assault advocate hasn't been called, you have the right to ask for one.
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Do I have to report the assault? 
Whether or not you want to report an assault to the police is your decision. You know what's best for you. It's common to question whether or not you've actually been raped, regardless of the circumstances of the assault. It's also common to want to deny the reality of the experience as a means of coping with the trauma. Often survivors find that talking with a rape crisis center advocate can help identify your choices immediately after an assault.

If you are unsure whether you want to report an assault, in some jurisdictions you can meet with a detective to talk it over before making the decision. Call your local sexual assault crisis center for more information about law enforcement policies in your area.
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Will the police believe me? 
Many victims of sexual assault are afraid that they will be blamed or not believed if they report the assault to the police. In general, detectives who have training in working with sexual assault cases should understand the feelings you are experiencing and be sensitive to your needs and concerns.

If you want to report and are worried about what might happen, contact your local sexual assault crisis center for more information.
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What happens after I talk to the police? 
That will vary from case to case. Advocates from your local sexual assault crisis center will be able to let you know how the legal process generally proceeds in your area. You can ask the law enforcement officers you talk to what may happen next. Your local county attorney may also be able to answer some of your questions. The advocate from your local center can continue to help you as your case moves through the criminal justice system.
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What are my rights as a victim of crime? 
If you have been assaulted you have the right to have a crime victim advocate at medical examinations and legal proceedings related to the crime, including meetings with law enforcement officers.

If you are thinking about going to the hospital for an exam or talking with the police, you can call your local rape crisis center and ask for an advocate to accompany you. If you are at the hospital or with the police and an advocate hasn't been called, you can ask for one.

You also have the right to an advocate with you for support when you meet with a prosecutor (county attorney) or go to court.

In addition to the right to an advocate, you also have the right to:
A free medical examination (Sexual Assault Evidence Exam), paid for by the State of Iowa, whether or not you choose to report the crime to the police.
Apply for financial assistance from the Crime Victim Compensation Program by submitting a Crime Victim Compensation Application.
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Someone I know has been sexually assaulted. How can I help?
Here are some things that victim/survivors have indicated are supportive responses from people close to them. These are guidelines; they can help let the survivor know that you care and that you want to be supportive. Think of it as basic first aid: it probably won't "fix" it, or make the trauma disappear, but it can help the survivor feel less isolated and more safe or supported.

Communicate these points:
-I'm sorry that it happened.
-I'm glad you survived.
-It's not your fault.

Power and Control
Sexual abuse takes away the victim's power and control. Afterwards, the survivor should be allowed to be in control and to make her own decisions. Even if you don't like the decisions she makes, and even if they're not the choices you would have made, you can best support the survivor's healing by supporting her decisions.

Self-blame and Guilt
Many survivors blame themselves for the abuse. Tell her over and over again that no matter what she did, it was not her fault. She did not commit a crime; the assailant did. No one asks or deserves to be raped.

If she feels guilty for not fighting back, tell her that no matter what she did when she was raped, she acted in the best manner she could. Fear often paralyzes people. Sometimes it feels safer to "cooperate" or submit to an assault; this does not make her a willing participant. Submission does not equal consent. She did what she needed to do to survive.

Just ask
Ask the survivor how he wants to be treated, especially when doing anything that may violate his personal space. Even if you mean well and want to offer comfort, remember that the person who assaulted him took away his control over his body. He may not want to be touched or accompanied; if he does, he can let you know when you ask. For example: "Would you like me to come with you? Do you want a hug right now?"

Listen
Be a good listener. Be non-judgmental and non-blaming. You weren't there; the survivor is the only one who knows what it was like.

Provide information, not advice
Assist her in getting the help she wants and needs. This may mean providing phone numbers, transportation, information, etc. Provide her with accurate information about options and resources, but let her make the final decision about what to do, who to talk to and when.

You may need support, too
Talk to someone else about your feelings about the rape. Sexual assault can also be traumatic for. the friends, families, partners, and others close to the victim. You deserve support, too. You can call your local rape crisis center for support.
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Someone I know has been sexually assaulted. What is NOT helpful?
Don't give advice or try to tell him what to do.

Don't tell her what you would have done.

Don't ask her why she didn't scream or fight. This can feel blaming, even if you didn't intend it that way.

Don't ask the survivor if she did anything to "lead him on." This includes asking what she was wearing, asking why she was with him, etc. The assailant made a choice to commit an assault; he could have chosen otherwise.

Don't prevent her from talking about the rape if she wants to. Nobody willingly "dwells on it." If she wants to talk about it, she deserves to be able to do so. You don't have to be available 24 hours a day; you can suggest that she call her local sexual assault crisis center or the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline (1-800-284-7821) or other resources as well.

Don't insist that he talk to someone about it. Talking to a stranger, even if it's a counselor on a rape-crisis line, can feel scary and intrusive. Talking to someone close may not feel comfortable either. Not everyone finds it helpful to talk about it. He knows, better than anyone else, what will be most useful for him.

Don't press her to report the incident to the police. Reporting is a very big step; it might require more time, energy, courage, and safety than she feels she has at this time. If she wants to report, do support her in that decision (she can also call the Sexual Abuse Crisis & Resource Line and have an advocate with her throughout the legal process). However, if she is not ready to report, please respect that decision as well.

Don't break his trust by telling others about it, without his permission. He should have the control over who knows, and over when and with whom he talks about it.

Don't imply that it wasn't "real" rape if she knew the person who assaulted her. At least 80% of sexual assaults occur between people who know each other.

Don't blame the survivor. It was not her fault.
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A child I know has been sexually assaulted. How can I help?
The child may sense your feelings.

If you have just discovered that a child who is close to you has been sexually abused, you might be feeling all kinds of things right now: frightened, angry, grief-stricken, panicky and uncertain about the future.

Those feelings are very natural ones for you to have when the safety and well-being of a child is at stake.

Reassure the child.

The child will probably be able to sense all the feelings you are having. She or he may feel responsible for causing those feelings.

It is very important for you to reassure your child that you are okay, and, above all, that though you may be sad or angry, you are not sad or angry at her or him!

Reassure the child that what happened was not her or his fault, and that the child did the right thing by telling about the abuse.

Believe the child.

Accept the information that he or she has given you. Let the child know that he or she did the right thing by telling.

Let your child know that what happened was not her or his fault.

Children will sense the feeling of emergency that arises after they have told you what happened, and they may feel responsible. The offender may have instilled a feeling of guilt or wrong-doing about what happened.

Find support for yourself, as well as the child.

You can call your local sexual abuse crisis center or the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline, 1-800-284-7821, to get support right away and to find out about long-term support options in your area. Establish safety for you and your child

If the person who has hurt your child is your partner, you may want to consider calling the your local sexual assault crisis center for help in seeking safe shelter, making a safety plan, or other assistance. You can also call the Iowa Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-942-0333) for assistance.

You can report the abuse of a child by calling the Iowa Department of Human Services, 1-800-362-2178, or your local law enforcement agency. Advocates at your local sexual assault crisis center can help you with the reporting process.

Let the child talk to you, but don't interrogate her or him. Just listen to the child, believe the child, validate the child's feelings, and try to establish a sense of safety for her or him.

Take good care of yourself right now. You are experiencing a trauma, too.
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What is the statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual abuse?
For adults: 10 years (or three years after a DNA match).
For children: 10 years after the child turns 18 (or three years after a DNA match). 

Sexual Assault Specific Statutes of Limitations:
614.8A
In a civil case damages for child sex abuse not discovered until the victim is 18 years or older or 4 years from the time of abuse discovery by injured party.

802.2
In a criminal case sex abuse may be charged in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree.
Ten years after the victim turns 18 if the victim is under 18 at the time of abuse or if over 18 then ten years after the abuse is committed.

802.2A
The same statute of limitations as 802.2 in cases of incest. For exploitation by a therapist, counselor, or school employee the same as 802.2 for persons under age 18 but for all other it is ten years from the date last treated by therapist/counselor or the last date that the victim attended school.


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What is the statute of limitations for bringing a civil suit?
For abuse suffered as an adult:
General limitation for injuries to person is 2 years
Abuse by therapist: 5 years from last visit with therapist

For abuse suffered as a child:
If not discovered until the child is an adult, 4 years from the discovery of the injury and the causal relationship between the injury and the abuse.
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What is the age of consent in Iowa? 
The general answer is 16 BUT:
For 15 year olds: can’t “consent” if other party is 19 or older.
For 14 year olds: can’t “consent” if other party is 18 or older.
For 12 or 13 year olds: can’t consent (3rd degree sexual abuse).
For children under 12: can’t consent: (2nd degree sexual abuse).
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When must a sexual assault be reported to law enforcement or DHS?
Reporting to police is only mandatory for serious injuries (life threatening wound, permanent physical damage, certain fractured bones).

Reporting to DHS (for mandatory reporters only – doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.) is required for abuse of victims under age 12 regardless of the perpetrator and for victims under 18 if the perpetrator was a caretaker.
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What kinds of protective orders and no contact orders are available to sexual assault victims? 

Civil order of protection (236.2) – parties must have been involved in an intimate relationship (“dating violence”) – an advocate can help victims file for this.

No-contact order (709) – upon arrest of defendant – available at initial appearance for first, second, or third degree sex abuse – issued by magistrate.

No contact order (709) – upon release or pending release of defendant from jail or prison (serving time for sex abuse) – contact county attorney. 
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