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Sexual
Assault And Battery
Sexual
assault and battery is any uninvited or unwelcome touching
or talking about the private parts of your body. Obscene
phone calls, lewd gestures and remarks and indecent
exposure are indirect assaults. They're usually done
for the "thrill" the offender gets from your
reaction, whether it is only surprise or hysteria. Sometime
it is impossible for you to do anything to prevent coming
in contact with someone who gets his kicks this way,
but what you can do is keep your cool. No reaction.
No visible upset. This is the best way to prevent this
type of incident from escalating into something even
more undesirable. All sexual assault and battery are
alarming and repulsive, but rape and incest are the
most frightening and have the severest consequences
for the victim.
There
are 2 categories of sexual assault and battery: rape
and indecent assault and battery.
Rape: Occurs when the offender has sexual intercourse
or unnatural sexual intercourse with a person against
his or her will, causing submission by force. Rape also
occurs if the victim is unable to give consent because
he or she is unconscious. Rape and attempted rape are
punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Indecent assault
and battery: Occurs when the offender has intentional
physical contact of a sexual nature with the victim
against the victim's consent. Indecent assault and battery
may be punished by up to 5 years in prison.
The
Sexual Assault And Battery Prevention and Crisis Services
gives technical assistance to sexual assault programs
throughout the State. This program certifies sexual
assault nurse examiners and provides training for volunteers
in sexual assault programs. The goal of the Sexual Assault
And Battery Unit is to provide multi-faceted services
to victims of crime during a difficult, confusing and
sometimes overwhelming experience. When a crime is reported,
local police will work with the District Attorney's
Office to investigate allegations of sexual assault,
utilizing the State Police as needed. The Assistant
District Attorneys work with Victim/Witness Advocates
to provide consistent contact with victims through the
investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.
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Sexual
Assault And Battery Assistance if:
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You have questions about your role as a witness.
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You would like an explanation of court procedures
or a tour of the courtroom before you testify.
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You need a referral to a Community Service Agency
which provides emergency, financial, medical or psychological
assistance to crime victims.
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You are interested in receiving court-ordered restitution.
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You want assistance in preparing your Victim Impact
Statement.
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You want information about qualifying for Victims'
Compensation for personal injuries or counseling.
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You want to know when you can recover personal property
that is being held by the police.
The
Advocate's role is to keep victims informed of the status
of the case, answer any questions regarding the court
process, prepare victims and witnesses for Trial, and
accompany families to court during a Trial. Another
vital role of the Advocate is to provide referrals for
counseling, medical care, Victim Compensation and other
available services. The Sexual Assault And Battery Unit
has a 24-hour hotline that is answered by the staff
of the Sexual Assault Unit during the hours of 8:30
AM to 4:30 PM for reports of sexual assault. The hotline
is available to provide assistance to local police during
sexual assault investigations and to provide referrals
and information to victims of inter-personal violence.
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