Is it Rape?

January 28, 2017
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Is it rape?


First off, if you’re even asking this question…if you’re wondering whether a sexual encounter is rape or not, we’re so sorry. Maybe you’re looking for answers for yourself, a friend or a family member, whatever the case, we want you to know that you’re not alone. If you have questions about what “counts” as rape, we hope this blog will be helpful.


From 2006 to 2010, 2 of every 3 rape or sexual assault incidents weren’t reported to the police. That means about 65% of rape victims don’t report what has happened to them. And 6% of those victims don’t report because they believe their assault isn’t important enough to be reported. Additionally, 13% believe the police can’t or won’t help.


These statistics tell us that if you’re confused about whether what has happened is rape or not, or if you haven’t reported it or if you aren’t sure the police could help, you aren’t alone.


So let’s talk about what rape is.


In Nebraska, sexual assault is defined as

  • sexual penetration without the consent of the victim or
  • when the offender knows or should know the victim is incapable of resisting or
  • when the offender is 19 or older and the victim is younger than 16


This means it’s rape if you don’t consent to the sexual activity. If you don’t give permission for someone to have sex with you or to put any part of his body in you, it is – by law – considered sexual assault.


It IS rape

  • if you were asleep
  • if you were threatened
  • if you were incapacitated by drugs or alcohol
  • if you were unconscious
  • if you were forced
  • if you are under the age of consent (16 in Nebraska)
  • if you changed your mind or if your no was ignored


Even if

  • you know the person or are in a relationship with the person
  • you have already had sex with that person on another occasion
  • you were fooling around but then you changed your mind
  • you were drunk 71 or high or dressed provocatively
  • the person took you to dinner or bought you gifts


If both people don’t willingly agree to sexual activity, it’s sexual assault or rape.


If you read this and realize you have been raped, you’re not alone. Sadly, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men are raped at some time in their lives. And for women, only 13.8% of rapes are done by strangers. Most offenders are the intimate partners of the victims – husbands or boyfriends.


Anyone of any gender, age, sexuality, social class or level of ability can be raped. There’s no excuse for rape, and it’s never the victim’s fault. If you’ve been raped, we want you to know, it’s not your fault. You did not ask to be assaulted.


We know it may be difficult to talk about but if you have questions on what to do next or need someone to talk to, we’re here to help. Feel free to call us in Kearney, (308) 234-9880 or in Grand Island, (308) 675-2217. If you do find yourself in a situation where you have been sexually assaulted contact Campus Police,Kearney Police or the Grand Island Police right away. Also, the Family Advocacy Network in Kearney and the Willow Rising in Grand Island are great resources if you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault.

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If you took the first abortion pill, it’s possible to start wishing you hadn’t. The regret may have hit you immediately, or it might have taken a few hours to realize that you want to continue the pregnancy. Either way, there may still be something you can do: abortion pill reversal (APR) may be an option. The first drug used in the abortion pill regimen is usually mifepristone. If you have taken mifepristone but now want to continue your pregnancy, call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network at 1-877-558-0333 right away. Their Helpline is available 24/7 and can connect you with a medical provider who can administer APR. If You Have Only Taken the First Pill Mifepristone works by blocking progesterone. Progesterone helps maintain the lining of the uterus during pregnancy. When this hormone is blocked, the uterine lining thins, and the pregnancy ends. The second drug in the abortion pill regimen is misoprostol , which causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Abortion pill reversal involves giving progesterone after mifepristone in an effort to allow the pregnancy to continue. Don’t Wait for Symptoms Before Calling You may wonder whether you should wait before deciding what to do. But if you want to try to continue the pregnancy, call first.  It’s critical to start the protocol as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours of taking mifepristone. However, you should still call even when more time has passed; it may not be too late. A medical provider can determine whether APR may still be appropriate. Does Reversal Always Work? Abortion pill reversal cannot guarantee that the pregnancy will continue. One published study reported ongoing pregnancy rates of approximately 64% to 68% with certain progesterone regimens, but individual outcomes vary. The important thing is to get medical guidance quickly rather than trying to determine your chances on your own. What if You Already Took Misoprostol? If you have already taken misoprostol, contact a healthcare professional promptly and explain exactly what you took and when. You should also seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms that concern you or believe you may be experiencing a medical emergency. Make the Call Now Changing your mind after taking mifepristone can be frightening, especially when you’re unsure whether there is still time to act. You don’t need to figure that out yourself. Call the Abortion Pill Reversal Network at 1-877-558-0333 as soon as possible and tell them when you took mifepristone. They can explain whether abortion pill reversal may still be an option and connect you with an appropriate provider. You can also contact Collage if you need someone to speak with while you work through your next steps. We’re here to help you. *Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. **All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
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Seeing another positive pregnancy test after having had a past abortion may bring up memories or emotions from that experience. If you already know you don’t want another abortion, you may be wondering what other choices you have and whether either feels realistic for your life right now. You have time to learn about your options and the available support. Collage is here to give you a place to discuss your circumstances so you can decide what’s right for you. Schedule a no-cost appointment today to learn more about your pregnancy and what your next steps could look like. And read on to learn more about your pregnancy options besides abortion. Consider What Parenting Would Require You may want to parent but have concerns about whether you can make it work. Finances, housing, childcare, your relationship, work, or school can all influence how possible this option feels right now. Before deciding that those challenges make parenting unrealistic, it can help to identify your biggest concerns individually. Some of those concerns may have solutions you haven’t considered yet. Think about the support you already have, along with what you would need during pregnancy and after your baby arrives. Knowing where the gaps are can make it easier to find resources rather than trying to solve everything at once. Learn More About Adoption If you don’t want another abortion but aren’t ready to parent, adoption is another option. Today, a woman making an adoption plan can have a significant role in deciding what that plan looks like. Depending on the type of adoption, you may be able to choose an adoptive family and decide what level of contact you would like after placement. Open, semi-open, and closed adoption offer different levels of communication and privacy. Speaking with a licensed adoption professional can help you understand these differences, your rights, and what the process would involve before you make any commitments. Discuss Your Options in a Confidential Space Having had an abortion before does not mean you have to make the same pregnancy decision again. Your feelings, circumstances, priorities, or perspective may be different this time. If you know you don’t want another abortion, start by learning what parenting and adoption could realistically look like in your current situation. Collage provides a place to talk about your pregnancy and the concerns influencing your decision. We can also connect you with adoption agencies and community organizations that provide the support you’re seeking. Reaching out doesn’t lock you into a specific decision. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Collage today to get your questions answered and explore the options available to you. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.
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