Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee
Sexual assault is when someone is sexually touched, coerced, or abused without their consent. Statistics show that every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. It can happen to anyone. Perpetrators can be people you know, but also can be people you don’t know as well. In America, 16% of women and 3% of men are sexually assaulted. Signs to look out for include: denial, guilt, self-blame, numbness, fear, anxiety, and nightmares. These are also symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which also occurs as a result of sexual assault.
What is Consent?
- Consent is an enthusiastic YES!
- Consent can be withdrawn at any time.
- Consent involves two-way communication and should be given before every sexual encounter and every stage.
How to Protect Yourself
- Speak up if you notice someone trying to sexually assault you.
- Do not accept open drinks. Be sure to only consume drinks you’ve opened yourself.
- Be aware of signs that indicate to others that you’re alone or far away from home/layover hotel.
- Make sure a friend/flying partner knows where you are at all times. Consider sharing your phone’s location.
- Do not give out personally identifying information (PII), including lodging information, to people you don’t know.
What To Do If You’ve Been Sexually Assaulted
- Contact the confidential AFA EAP helpline at (949) 470-0493.
- Recognize how you respond. Sexual assault triggers our fight, flight, or freeze response.
- Get medical care if necessary.
- Some survivors file a police report and use a rape kit to collect any DNA evidence.
- Consider seeing a therapist to help you process the traumatic experience. AFA EAP can help you with this referral.
Confidential Help Is Available
Remember, confidential help is available through our AFA EAP. You can find contact information at afaalaska.org or call (949) 470-0493.
Information for the article is provided by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).
