Victim Services

Women and men of all ages and appearances are sexually assaulted. Victims are chosen because they are vulnerable, not because they are attractive. Sexual assault does not recognize color, age, sex or location. Anyone can be affected. One in four girls and one in six boys will be a victim of sexual assault before the age of eighteen.

Victims can be any age and from any background. Wives can be assaulted by husbands; children by parents and other family members.

Sexual assault happens in the city, suburbs, rural areas, school, home and on the street. Assaulters can be neighbors, husbands, family members, friends, teachers, doctors, employers, employees, and strangers.

There are no exceptions.

What to do if you're sexually assaulted

• Get help!

• Call 878-1212 or toll free 888-999-5545

• Call a trusted friend or family member

• Go to the nearest hospital

• Do not change your clothes or bathe

• Try to remember details of the attacker and the assault

• Call the police if you want to report the assault

• A feeling of support, being more in control, able to make clear and informed decisions, and develop a safety or action plan

• Assistance in navigating the legal and medical system

• Short-term counseling to develop effective coping skills, improve your level of empowerment and use of support systems
  
  
  Navigating the Legal system
  
  If you chose to make a statement to the police and press charges against your attacker, you have certain rights under Connecticut state law. 
  
  In Connecticut, you have the right to:

• Have your conversations with a counselor remain confidential and not used in a court of law without your permission

• Not disclose your name, address or phone number in the courtroom during any proceeding in the prosecution of your case

• Have your name and address remain confidential from people not involved in the case and released only by an order of the court

• Apply for victim compensation for any injury you have suffered as a result of the crime.

In addition, the Connecticut Constitution provides victims the following rights throughout the criminal justice process---

• Be treated with fairness and respect

• Have the case heard and resolved in a fair and reasonable amount of time

• Be reasonably protected from the offender

• Receive notification of court proceedings

• Attend the trial and all other court proceedings

• Communicate with the prosecution

• Have the opportunity to support or disagree with any agreement between     the prosecutor and the offender, about the charges and sentence, and     to make a statement to the court before it accepts the agreement

• Make a statement to the court at sentencing

• Restitution

• Be given information about the arrest, conviction, sentence, imprisonment and release of the offender.

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