Page 7 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - March - April 2020

7

Believe, support survivors QUESTIONS

From page 6

free to call the clinic for more
Community must guidance and testing options.
send the message Stay isolated from your family,
stay hydrated, rest and monitor
that sexual violence your symptoms while following
will not be tolerated these guidelines:
cdc.gov/coronavirus/
Hi everyone! 2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/
April is Sexual Assault steps-when-sick.html
Awareness Month. In honor What should I do if I have
of that, I wanted to share
information with all of you about severe symptoms?
sexual assault, consent and what If your illness is worsening,
we can do to support survivors. such as difficulty breathing
What is sexual assault? or increasing confusion,
seek medical attention, BUT
According to PLEASE CALL FIRST if you
the Department are able. We will be able to
of Justice, provide recommendations over
the term the phone that can help limit
sexual assault the spread of infection.
“means any If you are having a life-
nonconsensual threatening medical emergency,
sexual act call 911 and notify dispatch
proscribed by Samantha personnel of your symptoms
federal, tribal Sandstrom and whether you are being
or state law, sexual activity. telling you. evaluated for COVID-19.
including when the victim lacks n If you are unsure whether he If possible, put on a face
capacity to consent.” mask before emergency
or she is sober enough to engage Believe: If someone
Types of sexual assault in sexual activity. 2 you love comes to you medical service personnel
n If the other party tells and says he or she has arrive.
n Harassing or calling you you to STOP or says NO at any been assaulted or abused, you How can I keep myself,
degrading sexual names such as point during or before the sexual need to believe it. Humans are
slut, etc. activity. curious creatures and like to solve others healthy?
n Fondling, groping, grabbing n If he or she feels pressured to problems. Your first instinct might n Wash your hands often
or pinching the sexual parts of engage in sexual activity. be to play detective, but we aren’t with soap and water for at least
your body. Rape and sexual assault are all detectives. It is not our job to 20 seconds, especially after
n Constantly pressuring you to NEVER the survivor’s (victim’s) blowing your nose, coughing
have sex when you don’t want to fault. However, it is the most determine whether our loved one is or sneezing, going to the
have sex. underreported crime because telling the truth. bathroom and before eating or
n Forcing you to have sex many survivors will not seek help Support: You are already preparing food.
or engage in unwanted sexual out of shame, embarrassment or 3 doing this one with listen n Continue maintaining
activity. This includes rape, forced fear of retaliation by the person physical distance of greater
physical touching of any kind, who assaulted them and their and believe. However, you than 6 feet when you are out.
drugging or restricting you to community. also can check in regularly to see n Wear a mask when you
where you are unable to consent As a community, we can send how he or she is doing or suggest are around town, use good
to sexual activity or using weapons a strong message that sexual speaking with an advocate and hand hygiene when putting
or other objects to hurt the sexual violence will not be tolerated, offering to go for support. on and taking off your mask
Being there for someone who
parts of your body. survivors will have access to has experienced sexual violence and be mindful to not touch
Remember CCOW support and urge that perpetrators can be difficult. If you are still your face. The mask you wear
will be held accountable. unsure how to best help and protects other people from you
Clear: An enthusiastic yes! Not support this person, please reach and their mask is protecting
the absence of a no. How to help you from their unseen droplets.
Coherent: Conscious and alert. When it comes to sexual out to an advocate for help. n Avoid touching your eyes,
If someone is under the influence violence, most survivors will first If you or someone you know nose and mouth with unwashed
of drugs or intoxicated, they can seek help with someone they who has experienced sexual hands.
NOT consent. trust, such as a family member or violence or domestic violence and n Stay home when you are
Ongoing: Ask before you do friend. Below are things you can needs help or support, please call sick or even starting to feel
something new. If the answer is do if a survivor chooses to confide or text the 24/7 support line at sick, limit your contact with
ever no or stop, then STOP. in you about his or her experience 360-789-3627. members in your household.
Willing: Free of pressure or of sexual violence: I hope you all are staying safe If you feel better within one to
coercion. Both parties want to and healthy! two days, it likely is any number
engage in sexual activity of their Listen: Actively listening Samantha Sandstrom, of other common viruses.
own free will. 1 to what a survivor has to Domestic Violence Advocate for the n Cover your cough or
say. This is not the time to
STOP! This is not consent play on your phone or talk about Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis sneeze with your elbow or with
a tissue, then throw the tissue
Reservation
n If it is not clear that the yourself or your own experiences. Email: ssandstrom@chehalistribe. in the trash and wash your
other party wants to engage in Actively listen to what he or she is org hands.