Was that year I spent lying on my side in front of the TV a disorder, a disability, an unfortunate choice? They want their stories to be theirs. It is true that I borrowed a tight, black dress; that I loved the way alcohol helped me slide out of my inhibitions like a used-up skin; that I wanted the raw new me underneath to touch and be touched, up to a certain point. It is true that only rapists deserve the blame for rape; that clothing choices, drinking and kissing do not indicate consent to sex; that rape and sex are distant cousins, not twins; that predators often use alcohol to control their victims.
And it is true that any attempt to sort human beings into categories necessarily shaves off some of our humanity, replacing each unique individual with a type. Would you rather be the victim type, who courts and marinates in adversity, or the survivor type, who triumphs over it?
Are you pawn , pigeon , prey or a strong, capable woman who courageously saved her own life? In truth, I am both and I am neither. I am one human being with a particular story about a life-shaping act of violence that, no matter how many times I tell it, only I will ever know by heart. Call me whatever you like. Excerpted from Pretty Bitches by Lizzie Skurnick. All rights reserved. Contact us at letters time. Martin-dm—Getty Images. By Kate Harding.
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America Needs to Get Back to Facts. In reality, should a foreigner wish to withdraw a petition for charge it is unlikely that a case would be brought. You would need to make a written letter of withdrawal and submit it to the police or prosecutor asking them to drop the case. It is unlikely that there would be any legal repercussions for the victim.
If a false accusation was proven the law states that the person who made the false accusation is subject to legal liabilities and in such a situation the alleged assailant would be entitled to press counter charges.
There is no government compensation scheme to cover physical or psychological injuries suffered however it is possible to attach a civil claim for compensation to the criminal case.
You will need to speak to a lawyer on how to proceed with this. We can provide a list of English-speaking lawyers if you need one. Compensation would normally be settled at the same time as the case is brought before the criminal court but where there is insufficient evidence to make a judgement on the civil aspect of the case, compensation for any injuries may be separated and dealt with at a later date in accordance with civil case proceedings.
We can provide you with lists of English-speaking medical facilities, lawyers and translators. We may also be able to accompany you to the local hospital. If you are travelling with a tour operator, you can report the incident to them and ask for their assistance. Where possible and if you wish, the tour operator may accompany you to the local hospital.
It is possible to report the crime to police in the UK. However, it is for foreign police forces to decide whether to investigate a crime in their jurisdiction.
UK police forces cannot investigate crimes committed overseas. Foreign police forces can decide to request assistance from the UK police, but this cannot be guaranteed and is a very lengthy process. It can therefore be very difficult to guarantee that any justice can be accessed without reporting the crime locally. You may want to let your GP, or a Sexual Assault Referral Centre know what has happened to you so that you can talk about the experience and seek further support and advice.
If you believe you may be at risk of having contracted a sexually-transmitted infection STI , ask your local health provider to test you, even if you have been tested in the country that the assault took place in. For more information, read our advice on returning to the UK after rape and sexual assault abroad.
There are many Rape Crisis Centres throughout the UK that can help provide support and advice if you have suffered from a sexual assault overseas. They also provide support and information to family and friends of sexual violence survivors. Survivors UK supports and provides resources for men who have experienced any form of sexual violence. More information including the live online support is available on their website.
To help us improve GOV. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies. Hide this message. Home Going and being abroad British nationals overseas Rape and sexual assault in Vietnam: information for victims. Contents 1.
First steps 2. Getting medical treatment 3. A brief summary of what we can do 4. Reporting the incident to the police in Vietnam 5. Reporting the crime in Vietnam - what happens next? The forensic medical examination — what to expect 7. Police investigations in Vietnam — what to expect 8. Court procedures — what to expect 9. If you do not want to report the incident to the police in Vietnam Reporting the incident to the police in the UK When you return home to the UK Getting further help in Vietnam Print this page.
To ensure that they are fully aware of how to access appropriate medical services and care. Enabling them to make informed decisions regarding reporting the incident, how to engage with foreign legal authorities overseas and what to expect. First steps The most important thing is to make sure that you are as safe as you can be.
Rape Crisis England and Wales Freephone 12 - 3. Rape Crisis Scotland Freephone 01 03 02 6pm - 12 midnight email: support rapecrisisscotland.
Whatsapp: Tel: Email: info survivorsuk. Tel: Email: jo samaritans. Contents Print this page. Is this page useful? Maybe Yes this page is useful No this page is not useful.
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FACT: Reported sexual assaults are true, with very few exceptions. This is the same rate of false reporting as other major crime reports. FACT: Men can be, and are, sexually assaulted. Current statistics indicate that one in six men are sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Sexual assault of men is thought to be greatly under-reported.
FACT: Almost all sexual assaults occur between members of the same race. Interracial rape is not common, but it does occur. FACT: Sexual assault is motivated by hostility, power and control. Sexual assaults are not motivated by sexual desire. Unlike animals, humans are capable of controlling how they choose to act on or express sexual urges.
FACT: Sexual offenders come from all educational, occupational, racial and cultural backgrounds. FACT: Anytime someone is forced to have sex against their will, they have been sexually assaulted, regardless of whether or not they fought back or said "no". There are many reasons why a victim might not physically fight their attacker including shock, fear, threats or the size and strength of the attacker. FACT: Survivors exhibit a spectrum of emotional responses to assault: calm, hysteria, laughter, anger, apathy, shock.
Each survivor copes with the trauma of the assault in a different way. What is Rape Culture? Why is it Dangerous? Do not let stereotypes shape your actions. Be an Active Bystander!
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