Sexual Assault

What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is physical contact of a sexual nature in the absence of clear, knowing and voluntary consent.

An individual cannot consent who is:

· Obviously incapacitated by any drug or intoxicant
· Who has been purposely compelled by force, threat of force, or deception
· Who is unaware that the act is being committed
· Whose ability to consent or resist is obviously impaired because of mental or physical condition
· Who is coerced by supervisory or disciplinary authority

Florida State Law

According to Florida State Statute Chapter 794, sexual battery means oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object; however, sexual battery does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose.

Visit the Florida State Statute Website to read Chapter 794 in full.

If you are Raped. . .

Go to the nearest hospital and request a medical-legal examination.

Do not change your clothes. Your clothes will be collected in the hospital emergency room. A victim of a sexual assault should not bathe, shower, douche, brush teeth, smoke a cigarette, or change clothes until after the medical-legal examination is completed.

If you must change your clothes, do so very carefully to avoid losing important evidence (i.e. hair samples, skin samples). Also DO not put clothes in plastic bag. Put clothes in a PAPER BAG and bring them with you to the hospital.

You can either call the police before you leave for the hospital or you can have them called once you arrive and request a medical-legal exam. You are not required to press charges, however.

If you believe you have been given a "date-rape drug," ask to be tested for that drug. If you have other drugs in your system that you ingested voluntarily, let the doctor/nurse know.