Subject: Date Rape

Facebook LiveChat

December 15 at 6 – 7:30PM (PST)

Date rape is a serious crime that is far too prevalent and far too under-reported. My teen novel Damaged tackles this topic head-on by telling the story of a girl who becomes a victim of date rape. We are having a Live Chat on Facebook in the hopes of creating an informed and caring community for young women who are at risk or have already been victims of date rape, acquaintance rape, or sexual aggression.

Guidelines for participating in the Live Chat:

1. Remember that Facebook is a public forum. Do not reveal any potentially harmful personal information, specifics, names, accusations, etc.. Names can be changed to protect the innocent. Or to protect a court case.
2. Remember that everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
3. Keep your comments brief and to the point.
4. Feel free to email me later at melodycarlsonbooks@gmail.com

Some Date Rape Facts to Consider:

1. Date rape is a felony offense. A conviction will result in a prison sentence and a permanent criminal record.
2. About two-thirds of American women will experience sexual aggression or rape within their lifetime.
3. 80% of high school girls will experience some kind of sexual aggression while dating.
4. Women ages 16-19 are the most prevalent category of date rape.
5. 10% of date rape victims are males ages 16-24.
6. 6. The first thing to tell a victim of date rape is: THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

Some Tips to Help Prevent Date Rape

1. Plan ahead by being informed so that you protect yourself in advance.
2. Only date guys you REALLY know and trust.
3. Only go on group or double dates. Surround yourself with trusted friends.
4. Trust your intuition. If something feels wrong, it probably is wrong.
5. Be informed. Know who you’re dating. Know his reputation. Get references.
6. Listen to your friends. Take warnings seriously.
7. Pay attention to your environment. Where is he taking you? Why?
8. Don’t drink and date. The most common date rape scenario involves intoxicants.
9. Know that if you’ve been a victim one time, it increases your chances of being victimized again.
10. Know that NO means NO. Feel free to scream it loudly if needed. The more noise you can make, the less chance you will become a victim.
11. Have your phone ready to dial 911 if needed. And don’t be afraid to use it.

For Victims of Date Rape

You have a right to:

1. Confidentiality and privacy protection upon reporting
2. Medical care
3. Accurate information concerning HIV/AIDS and STDs
4. Counseling
5. Legal representation and justice
6. Information about the criminal case during the investigation, trial and corrections system
7. Information about the offender’s HIV/AIDS status
8. Compensation and restitution from the offender

Additional Resources and Hotlines

Coercion, Rape, & Surviving
120 Richmond Quad University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY 14261
Phone: (716) 645-2720
ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/violenceoverview.shtml
University of Buffalo's Acquaintance Rape Pages: prevention, legal info, warning signs, drugs, referrals and resources.

National Clearinghouse on Marital & Date Rape
2325 Oak Street
Berkeley, CA 94708
members.aol.com/ncmdr/

National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS)
P.O. Box 6000
Rockville, MD 20849-6000
Phone: (301) 519-5500
TTY Toll-free: 1-877-712-9279
Toll-free: 1-800-851-3420
www.ncjrs.org

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
Toll-free Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
www.rainn.org
RAINN is a national hotline for victims of sexual assault. Calls to the hotline are instantly computer-routed to the 24-hour rape crisis center nearest the caller.

Dublin Rape Crisis Center
70 Lower Leeson Street
Dublin 2 IRELAND
Phone: 353 1 661 4911
Toll-free: 1 800 77 88 88
www.drcc.ie/help/date
Date and acquaintance rape resources from the Dublin (Ireland) Rape Crisis Center.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center
123 North Enola Drive
Enola, Pennsylvania 17025
Toll-free: (877) 739-3895
Phone: (717) 909-0710
Fax: (717) 909-0714
TTY: (717) 909-0715
www.nsvrc.org

National Center for Victims of Crime
2000 M Street NW, Suite 480
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 467-8700
Fax: (202) 467-8701
TTY/TDD: 1-800-211-799 
www.ncvc.org