The Roanoker - March/April 2015 - 32

VICTIM: WHAT TO EXPECT
Sexual assault profiler John Perry, who works with law enforcement agencies in
the Roanoke Valley, was asked to outline what a rape victim should expect once
the crime is reported. Here's what he came up with:
* A uniformed law enforcement officer meets with the victim to get the story,
either at the police station or at another location preferred by the victim.
* The officer often takes the victim to a medical facility with a sexual assault
nurse specialist.
* The victim is examined by the forensics nurse.
* The victim is often referred to a counseling service like SARA in Roanoke or
another victim's advocate.
* An investigating officer meets with the victim and gets an in-depth explanation
of what happened.
* The rapist is identified, when possible that person is sought for an interview.
* Evidence is presented to the commonwealth's attorney, who decides whether
to pursue a conviction.
* If a trial follows, the victim's testimony will likely be crucial. The victim will
have to tell the story a number of times through the process-and to relive the
rape each time.
Melissa Harper, a forensic nurse at Carilion clinic who works with sexual assault
victims, says, "It is important to seek care as soon as possible so that medical care
may be initiated and evidence collected. There is also no set pattern of how a
victim should act after sexual assault. Very few victims are outwardly emotional
after sexual assault and are typically stoic." -DS

If there is no immediate health threat, victims are
taken to a forensics room where they are examined
in depth. "There is a full physical exam and skin assessment," as well as a full history of the event, says
Harper.
A victim's advocate group like SARA (Sexual Assault Response and Awarness) is brought in to counsel
the victim and work further. "Society thinks women
are not strong," says Harper, "but these women are
incredibly strong mentally."
Rapists are often involved in other high-risk behaviors that could increase risk of HIV and Hepatitis B.
All sexual assault victims are screened for pregnancy
risks and offered emergency contraception.
Some of the victims "don't want the police involved," she says. There are a lot of reasons for that,
most of them involving one fear or another. "The level
of trauma is similar to the trauma experienced by
those who walk out of war."
The whole process "hurts our hearts, but if we cry
we can't help."
LIZETTA IS A 30-SOMETHING WRITER and mother of two, who spent much of her youth being raped by
a relative. She finally reported him.
"While I had a small handful of people I could trust
with my story, I didn't have anyone of authority to talk
to. I got a lot of hugs and shared fear and anger, but

32 MARCH/APRIL 2015

nobody could really do anything to the bastard without
breaking any laws.
"I was scared of reporting the assault to police, mostly
out of fear that they wouldn't believe some dumb teenager. I'm lucky that someone spoke up for me and notified the police on my behalf. That could have easily
been mistaken as meddling, but not to me. I felt like
I had the right people around me, looking out for me,
and wanting justice just as much as I did.
"I kind of assumed I'd eventually get a phone call, or
in a few weeks I'd get a letter asking me when I could
meet for an interview with an officer to go on record
about everything that happened. I was way off. I drove
home from school but couldn't pull into my own driveway because two police cars were parked in it within
two days of their being notified.
"A sheriff, not a deputy sheriff, but a sheriff and a
social worker from the county where the attack happened, greeted me and told me to have a seat. They each
had a tape recorder ready, and briefed me that they'd
be recording everything. I said, "let's do it."
"It was about three hours' worth of interview and I
felt safe the entire time. They were gentle yet powerful,
and took a lot of pride in making sure to get every bit of
detail they could. The sheriff, even with the tape recorders rolling, said, 'I know who this guy is and I knew he
would mess up again. I know you're telling the truth
about this creep. Let us handle everything from here.'
THE

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