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Sexual Assault and Date Rape

Sexual assault means pressuring or forcing another person to submit to a sexual act. Date rape is a sexual assault when a two people are on a date.

It can mean that one person uses violence or physical strength to force sexual intercourse. It can also occur if the other person is unable to resist, such as when drunk or under the influence of drugs.

• You have the right to refuse physical intimacy at any time and for any reason.

• Accepting an intimate caress does not mean you are agreeing to have intercourse.

• Forcing someone to perform a sexual act is an assault even if you are dating and even if you have already had sex before.

• Women and girls need to say "no" if they need to.

• Men and boys need to respect a woman's or girl's wishes.  

Warning signs

Pay attention to these warning signs about any person you might date:

• Tries to control you.

• Is very jealous of you.

• Tries to isolate you from your family or friends.

• Wants to depend on you for everything.

• Has a negative attitude towards women.

• Tries to make you drunk or take drugs on a date.

• Criticizes you or makes fun of you if you do not want to drink, take drugs or have sex.

• Refuses to let you share the cost for the date.

• Shows any violent behavior towards you or anyone else.

• Makes you feel uncomfortable or afraid in any situation, such as sitting too close to you, blocking your path in a hallway, touching you when you ask him to stop.

• Cannot handle any emotional or sexual conflict without getting angry.

• Does not think you are his equal because he is older, smarter, has a higher social status, etc.

• Interest in weapons.

• Is cruel to children or animals.

Common-sense prevention

• Don't go on the first date alone.

• Try to get to know the person before dating

• Pay for your own costs.

• Keep money for a taxi and a phone card handy in case you need to get away from your date.

• Learn self-defense

• Pay attention to danger signs

• Don't be pressured to drink to take drugs - keep in control.

• If you feel uncomfortable, keep calm and check the best way to leave the situation.

• Try to "buy time" by talking until you can get away.

• If you need to, yell to get people's attention.

• If you must fight, attack as fiercely as you can.

If you are a victim of a sexual assault or date rape

• Trust yourself - you are not to blame, you did not "cause" this to happen.

• Tell someone you trust.

• Get medical help to treat wounds, including tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) . Do not shower, wash you hands, brush your teeth, urinate or change your clothes until doctors can collect evidence of the assault. You can decide later if you want to use the evidence.

• Report the incident to police. You can decide later whether or not you want to take legal action. In the meantime, the police and doctors will have a record of the assault.

• Seek counseling. Any sexual assault is a terrible experience, but you can recover and professional help is available. Call "113" for emergency help in Taiwan.

If you are helping someone

• Listen to the victim and believe what they tell you.

• Reassure them that it is not their fault.

• Encourage them to see a doctor and get professional help.

• Encourage the victim to keep the evidence of the assault until it can be recorded by a doctor.

• Be ready to keep them company.

• Keep the secret for the victim.

Remember, help is available. Call the emergency hotline "113" in Taiwan.

All services provided by the Garden of Hope are strictly confidential.