Sexual Assault
Legally defined as "any physical act of a sexual nature that is accomplished toward another person without their consent."
What is CONSENT?
Consent is...
Positive cooperation, it must be freely and voluntarily given, and all participants must have knowledge and understanding of the act.
Consent cannot be given where:
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Force, threat of force, coercion or fraud is used to gain compliance;
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Someone is incapacitated due to alcohol or drug use;
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Someone is asleep or unconscious;
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Someone is under the legal age of consent.
Consent can also be revoked in the middle of a sex act.
Lack of Consent...
Includes, but is not limited to, the use of a weapon, physical violence or restraint, verbal threats, intimidation, and threats of retaliation or harm.
What is "enthusiastic consent"?
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Sex is never an obligation and only YES means YES;
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"Wait" means NO;
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"Maybe later" means NO;
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"Not now" means NO;
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"Let's just go to sleep" means NO;
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And most importantly, silence means NO.
Consent must be:
INFORMED, FREELY AND ACTIVELY GIVEN, and
MUTUALLY UNDERSTANDABLE WORDS OR ACTIONS.
Services
Victims' advocacy is FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, and open to anyone who has experienced sexual assault/violence.
Services for Individuals
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Access to 24/7 confidential Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE). Law Enforcement DOES NOT have to be involved with an adult victim.
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Advocate accompanies to court proceedings and can be present with additional contact with law enforcement if needed.
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Access to trauma-informed advocacy and support sessions.
Services for Victims of Secondary Trauma
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Secondary victims are considered to be a friend, family member, or partner of someone who has experienced sexual assault or violence.
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Access to trauma-informed individual and group supports, referrals and resources to assist the survivors family.
Services for Groups
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Group meetings empower survivors by offering a safe, confidential environment to share their personal truth. The bond that forms between survivors in a group setting can become a springboard for the courage to heal.
Mandatory Reporting for School Officials and Educators
Oklahoma is a mandatory reporting state. Under 10A O.S. 1-2-101, every person having reason to believe that a child under the age of eighteen (18) years is a victim of abuse or neglect shall report the matter immediately to the Department of Human Services. Furthermore, every school employee having reason to believe that a student under the age of eighteen (18) years is a victim of abuse or neglect shall report the matter immediately to the Department of Human Services and local law enforcement. Failure to report may result in prosecution.
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For more details, review our Mandatory Reporting Brochure developed by the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) of Pottawatomie and Lincoln Counties.
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