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SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION

It has been reported that an average of 207,754 victims are sexually assaulted/raped each year in the United States. Which means, one person is sexually assaulted every two minutes. The World Health Organization estimates victims of sexual assault are three times more likely to suffer from depression, six times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs, and four times more likely to contemplate suicide than those who have not experienced sexual violence. Experts say prevention is the key to end sexual violence. Here are ways to prevention sexual violence:

1. Stay alert at all times. Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions when walking around town, such as wearing headphones or using your cell phone while walking.

2. Pay attention to your consumption of alcohol and don't use drugs. The majority of sexual assaults happen when the victim is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Substance use can lower your inhibitions and make you increasingly vulnerable to being attacked.

3. Use the Buddy System. Get to know your peers before trusting them. More often than not, sexual violence victims are assaulted by someone they know, whether it is a partner, a familiar friend or family member, or a new acquaintance. Let them know what you're willing and not willing to do. Travel with friends and if this is not possible, let someone know when you are leaving and where you are going. Always leave with the same friends you traveled with and agree in advance not to leave any one behind.

4. Trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy, there is usually good reason for it. Be able to identify your feelings so you can make choices that can help keep yourself safe.

5. Know the services available to you. Have important numbers saved in your phone such 911 and your local police department.

Resource Phone Numbers:

AIDS Testing (Anonymous Testing)

1-800-541-AIDS

Cattaraugus Health Department

716-373-8050

Child Abuse Prevention (Info & Parent Helpline)

1-800-CHILDREN

Counseling Center (Salamanca)

716-945-5211

Department of Social Services

716-373-8010

Family Violence/Rape Crisis

1-888-945-3970

Gay & Lesbian Youth Services

716-855-0221

Interfaith Caregivers

716-372-6283

Mental Health & Family Support Services

716-372-0208

Missing Children’s Hotline

1-800-843-5678

Olean General Hospital

716-372-2600

Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-SUICIDE

Teen Pregnancy Hotline

1-800-522-5006

WCA Hospital

716-487-0141

WNY Runaway Hotline

716-372-5800

Disclaimer: Once you click on a link below, you will leave the SCCSD website. Once you have left the District’s website, any other websites or pages accessed are not under the control of the District and the District is not responsible for the contents of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites. Any web links are provided to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement of the site by the District.

USEFUL WEB LINKS & RESOURCES

Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department

A law enforcement agency serving all of Cattaraugus County.

http://www.sheriff.cattco.org

Salamanca City Police Department

http://www.salmun.com/dept/police/police.htm

Community Map for Finding Registered Sex Offenders

Family Watchdog has been in production since August 25, 2005. This website allows you to see where registered sexual offenders live and work around you.

http://www.familywatchdog.us

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

http://www.missingkids.com

Federal & State Cyberstalking-Related Laws

This list consists of current and pending (in green) cyberstalking-related United States federal and state laws, as well as those states that do not have laws yet and related laws from other countries

http://www.haltabuse.org/resources/laws

Megan's Law

Megan's Law was enacted on May 17th, 1996 and mandates that a county be notified of child offenders residing there and residents have access to that information. For more information on the Megan Nicole Kanka foundation, click the link below.

http://www.megannicolekankafoundation.org

National Sex Offender Registry

The Division of Criminal Justice Services is a multi-function criminal justice support agency with a variety of responsibilities, including collection and analysis of statewide crime data; operation of the DNA databank and criminal fingerprint files; administration of federal and state criminal justice funds; support of criminal justice-related agencies across the state; and administration of the state’s Sex Offender Registry that allows anyone to research the status of an offender.

http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/nsor

N.Y.S. Dept. of Criminal Justice Services

http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/