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Teen Sexual Assault

This website page was created by teens in Okanogan County who want to provide support and resources around sexual assault response and recovery

Take a breath.

This is not easy stuff to think about, but we're glad you're here. Some of the content below can be hard to read, but we hope it's helpful.

We started this group with the hopes of raising awareness in our community and schools, and we want to provide a resource for youth in our county and other areas. This website includes information on the following:

  • What sexual assault is
  • What to do immediately following an assault
  • Your rights, reporting, and criminal justice process
  • Ideas for recovering from a sexual assault


SA on the porch

What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent from the other person. Some forms of sexual assault include:

  • Attempted rape
  • Fondling or unwanted sexual touching
  • Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator’s body
  • Penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape

For specific definitions for Sex Crimes and their legal consequences in Washington State go to:

Washington Sex Crimes and Punishments

SA group looking at room one

Rights, Reporting and Criminal Justice

You deserve support! If you are under 18 years old and decide to share what happened to you with a professional like a nurse, counselor, social worker, teacher, or even a volunteer at a camp or school, they will need to contact the police. You do not need a parent or guardian present or to give permission if you want to make a report. It is good, however, to talk to a trusted adult to get support.

You decide how much information you want to share. This will determine how involved the police will get. Sometimes making a report is a good first step in getting the help you need like counseling or other services.

If you have questions about reporting please get in touch with someone from Room One or the Support Center. They can help you understand what information will result in a call to the police.

SA holding hands

Immediately Following an Assault

The experience of being assaulted can be very traumatic, but it's important to take steps that can ensure your health and safety. The first 72-120 hrs are a pivotal time to collect evidence. Please see the link below on Immediate Response Steps to get details on the actions you can take after an assault.

Immediate Response Steps

Some reminders:

  • The justice system moves slow and often its hard for victims to feel like their perpetrators are held accountable.
  • If you are able, don't shower or throw away clothes or evidence. Getting a rape kit done first can be helpful if you want to make a report later.
  • Don't delete texts, and screenshot snapchats or other messages. These messages can be important evidence.


SA Hope

Recovering from Sexual Assault

The trauma that is experienced after being sexually assaulted can be a lot to handle on your own. Trauma can make us act in ways that feel out of our control, but there are many proven ways that someone suffering from trauma can feel calm, focused, and even hopeful.

If you'd like to see some ways we have coped with stressful and traumatic experiences check out our list here:

Self-Care List

You can also reach out to Room One or the Support Center to get connected to a mental health counselor who can support you on your path to healing.

Supporting a Survivor of Assault

Victims of assault have have so many things they need to think about after an assault so we made a list of some issues that friends and family of a Survivor can pay attention to. Some of our group members identify as survivors so this list below comes from personal experience.

Survivors need...

  • Space and time
  • Information and resources
  • Accommodations, at work and at school
  • Medical attention
  • Confidentiality
  • Support in navigating having mutual friends with the perpetrator
  • Support when they run into their perpetrator regularly

Therefore if you are supporting a survivor not only will it be important that you help the victim in navigating the bullet points listed above, but we've also added some other things to consider, including:

  • Validate their feelings. There are lots of ways Survivors second guess and blame themselves. Let them know it's not their fault.
  • Don't rely on the Survivor to be able to tell you exactly what they need. Offer suggestions, like checking in to see if they want assistance going and talking to an Advocate, and see what they say.
  • Look out for them. If you're hanging out at the park and the Survivor's perpetrator comes up to your group, see if the Survivor wants to leave and go with them.
  • Check in with the Survivor about how they want to talk about their experience. Don’t play the hero and don't overstep your place by taking action without instruction from the Survivor. Don't assume people want what you want.
  • Understand that the Survivor may change some of their behaviors including having different boundaries around touch. Don't take it personally and respect what they need.

LGBTQ+

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ people can experience sexual assault because of their identity (they become targets) or from their significant others, which makes them even more at risk. It can also be more difficult for LGBTQ+ youth to be taken seriously or treated with respect by medical professionals or law enforcement. If you are LGBTQ+ and experience an assault it's so important that you get an advocate or a supportive adult to walk alongside you as you explore your options.

Want to know more? Click on the button below.

LGBTQ+ Advocacy Considerations


Boys Can Be Victims Too

While men and boys are statistically more often the perpetrators of sexual violence it does not mean that boys and men don't also experience sexual assault. Often the person hurting them is someone they know intimately like family or significant others. This makes it all the more complicated for boys to bring a claim forward. On top of that there is a stigma that boys don't experience sexual assault. Both of these challenges lead to underreporting in boys.

Want to know more? Click on the button below.

Sexual Assault of Men and Boys


We made these notes of support for anyone dealing with the trauma of an assualt.


Take another breath.

You've made it through this, you can make it through whatever comes next. You're amazing.

Related Resources

The Support Center

Offers crisis intervention and victim advocacy for sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence and other crimes. Provides assistance with medical issues and legal issues. Representatives will accompany a victim to court, the police station, hospitals etc. Help with Shelter (for intimate partner violence), clothing and transportation are also available.
Read More

National Domestic Violence Hotline

24-Hour help line provides support to those affected by relationship abuse. Website provides information on signs to identify abuse, healthy relationships, and resources to help.
Read More
More Resources