• Schools would be one place where we should be able to safely leave our children without worry, but the truth is children (under 18 years old) can be very easily manipulated and abused by a trusted teacher, faculty member or even another student.
• Workplace sexual abuse is also common, especially where sexual harassment is concerned. A co-worker may say and do inappropriate things to another co-worker or a boss or supervisor may promise rewards in exchange for sexual favors. These are all considered to be abusive in nature.
• Churches/Religious institutions and organizations have long been in the spotlight when it comes to sexual assaults. People tend to trust religious and authoritative figures and this trust often turns to an abuse of power by the perpetrator. This type of abuse can happen to both adults and children.
• A doctor or therapist’s office is another place where people are vulnerable and looking for guidance and trust. Many times this trust is violated by health care and mental health care professionals.
• Residential care facilities for the elderly and those with special needs is an especially heartbreaking place to be abused since patients and family members look to the caretakers and healthcare professionals to provide care and comfort, not pain and abuse.

• Foster care homes are synonymous with troubled children and many of the workers charged with the care of the children use this fact to exploit and often bribe or convince the children to stay quiet about the abuse.
• Nursing homes can be extremely helpful and provide superb care for patients and residents, yet many nursing homes are charged each year with abusing patients both physically and emotionally.
• Youth group homes, like foster homes, are intended to be safe havens where children can escape the perils of the streets or a troubled home life. Yet, it is quite common for the trusted caretakers to prey on children’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
• A trusted friend/relative or neighbor’s home should seem like the next best thing to home, but sometimes that trust is breached and exploited when the trusted caretaker uses the opportunity to abuse an unsuspecting child.

What to do if You Suspect You or Someone You Love is Being Sexually Abused

There are many stigmas that are attached to sexual assaults. Often, the victim feels shame for the attack and believes there is some self-blame or responsibility for the assault. This shame can affect and alter intimate or personal relationships as well as platonic and work relationships. Experts understand that these types of assault are not the victim’s fault, but the fault of the attacker. There is help and hope available to the victims and the families of the victims. The following steps may also be helpful for victims of abuse.

• Immediately seek a safe shelter far away from the attacker (hospital, police station or anywhere where trusted adults may be).
• Call 911 or contact proper authorities immediately.
• Call a trusted family member or friend to talk with or comfort you following the assault.
• Be sure to seek medical attention immediately to be examined and screened for potential sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or pregnancy.
• Even though it may be instinct, do NOT comb your hair or clean any part of your body following the assault. Police will be collecting hairs and fibers from your clothing and fingernails as well as reviewing results from semen or bodily fluid samples. Also remember not to touch or move anything if you are still at the scene of the attack. Everything needs to remain as-is as anything may be used as potential evidence.

Some links that may help the healing process after a sexual assault include:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-SAFE (7233) or 800-787-3224 (TDD)
• National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-HOPE (4673)

Quick Tips to Help Lower Your Risk of an Attack

• Always be aware of your surroundings. Notice where groups of people are or where possible emergency exit points may be located.
• Avoid using headphones or earbuds that may drown out important environmental or surrounding sounds while walking and/or jogging.
• Walk confidently and briskly to your destination and try to avoid walking alone at night or in dimly lit areas. Try to pair with a walking buddy or a friend heading in the same general direction when possible. If you are alone, try to walk as closely as possible to other groups of walkers.
• When in social settings including dates and parties, know your limits when it comes to alcohol use, and refrain from all illicit drug use.
• Lock all of your doors and windows regardless of how quickly you will be returning.
• Always trust your initial instinct. If you feel like you may be in danger, flee the area as soon as possible.
• Keep your keys handy and utilize your car’s ‘panic’ button, if possible. Also attach a whistle and/or pepper spray to your key ring.
• Never open your door to a stranger and keep doors and windows locked at all times. It is also helpful to hang curtains or blinds on windows so that they may be drawn at night or anytime for additional privacy.
• Avoid large empty spaces, especially at night, including: parking garages, laundry rooms or covered catwalks or tunnels.
• Always have your keys in hand as you are walking to your car or your door. Also, remember to park and walk in well-lit areas.
  Always lock car doors and never open them to for anyone.
• Never hitchhike or pick a hitchhiker up.
• Always have enough gas in your car and be sure your cell phone is always adequately charged in case you need to use it in an emergency.