In the aftermath: Closing

Monday, April 26, 2010

Were you sexually assaulted?

Some victims need help in distinguishing if what happened to them was rape. Here are a few questions and answers to consider when judging whether or not a sexual act is consensual.

Kate’s case is pending review by the district attorney’s office, but unlikely to go forward without more evidence. Police still have the blue mini dress and high heels she was wearing the night of the assault. She won’t be getting them back. They’re potential evidence now.

What to do after an assault to help preserve evidence

Jessie Fazel, a nurse at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, is trained to collect evidence from victims after an assault. She advises victims to avoid showering, douching, brushing their teeth, or eating or drinking anything and to come to the hospital as soon as possible.

“Time is evidence,” Fazel said, because rape kits must be conducted within 72 hours of an assault. For a rape kit, nurses take a blood sample, comb through pubic hairs and pluck 25 of them, and swab the inside of the vagina, mouth and anus for the attacker’s DNA in semen residue. Samples are analyzed at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation in Topeka, where rape cases go to the top of the list, along with murders. Samples are stored and can be matched with the rapist years after the attack.

Kathy Guth, a nurse practitioner in women's health, is certified to do rape kits at Watkins Memorial Hospital. She said a victim could also opt to be given prophylaxis treatments for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. If the assailant didn’t wear a condom, and the victim goes to the hospital shortly after the attack, emergency contraception like the Plan B pill is also an option.

While her alleged attacker remains free and hasn’t been charged, Kate and her family are still suffering from the aftershock of the assault. She failed her class when she missed the test the morning after her assault. The lost credits kept her from meeting requirements for admission to the School of Journalism and will delay her graduation by one semester. She had more than $1,000 in medical expenses, will pay tuition a second time for the class she failed, and now faces therapist fees for counseling. Tom, her father, said if the district attorney’s office doesn’t find enough evidence to press criminal charges, he would consider pursuing a civil lawsuit for damages.

Looking back, Kate remembers how confused she was when she refused the tests the nurses and police officers encouraged her to take.

“They asked if I wanted to be tested for date rape drugs,” Kate said. “I didn’t even believe I had been sexually assaulted. I had no idea what they were talking about. I just kept saying I needed to leave.”

Several months after the attack, Kate saw her attacker at the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center, playing basketball. A little stunned, she stopped momentarily, and caught his eye.

“Immediately, I just thought, ‘Why are you standing so close to me when you know what’s happened?’” she said.

Kate initially felt resentful when she saw him on campus. Now, she says she has given up living with anger. She considers herself lucky. Regardless of whether her attacker is prosecuted, Kate said she has healed and moved on with her life.

“I’m definitely more watchful of the people I’m with, but it doesn’t control my life,” she said. “All I can do is watch out for my friends and make sure it doesn’t happen to them.”

Kate even said she wouldn’t rule out accepting another free drink if someone bought it for her — and she kept a close eye on it.

Don't remain silent

If you have been a victim of rape or any form of sexual assault, there is help.

For 24/7 Support, call: 785-841-2345 (Lawrence) or 888-899-2345 (Baldwin) and ask for a GaDuGi SafeCenter Volunteer Advocate to be paged.

Contact the National Sexual Assault hotlines, 1-800-656-HOPE, for free, confidential help, day or night.

Get more information from the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.