Section topics: What Should I Do First?. Adult Survivors of Child Rape , Male Survivors, People with Disabilities, Elderly Abuse, Victims' Rights, Long Term Effects, Friends & Family of Survivors
Every victim of sexual violence has the right to be treated with dignity, to make your own decisions, and to change your mind as you see fit. You have the right to receive prompt medical attention at no cost to you, regardless of whether or not the sexual assault was reported to the police. You have a right to have your name kept from the news media. And if you choose to respond to the media, you have a right to issue a written statement rather than granting interviews or have a spokesperson respond for you.
You have the right…
- To choose whether or not to report to the police.
- To be given as much credibility as a victim of any other crime.
- To be asked only those questions that are relevant to the court or medical treatment.
- To have access to support people when needed.
- To receive prompt medical and mental health services whether or not you choose to report to the police and at not cost to you.
- To receive basic information on the services available.
- To be considered a victim of sexual assault, regardless of your relationship to the perpetrator.
- To be protected from future assault.
- To be notified of criminal justice proceedings.
- To be accompanied to all public criminal proceedings by a victim advocate and/or support person.
- To have the opportunity to offer prior comment on the reduction/dropping of a charge or change in plea when a personal injury crime or burglary is involved.
- To offer comments on the sentencing, including an impact statement detailing the physical, emotional and economic effects of the crime on you and your family.
- To receive compensation through the Crime Victims' Compensation Program. This is in the form of restitution, return of property and compensation for injuries.
- To have assistance with the Crime Victims' Compensation claims process.
- To receive notice of the release of an offender from a local correctional facility and to receive immediate notice of the escape of the offender in cases involving personal injury crimes.
- To receive immediate notice of the release of the offender on bail from a local correctional facility when the offender either violates a protection from abuse order or commits a personal injury crime against a victim protected by the order.
- To receive immediate notice when an offender is transferred from a state correctional institution to a mental health facility and of the discharge, transfer or escape of the offender from the mental health facility.
- To provide comment on parole and post-sentencing release, including work release, furlough, parole, pardon or community treatment center placement.
- To have an on-going right to receive immediate notice if offender escapes.
- To have assistance in the preparation of and follow-up ton financial assistance claims to the Bureau of Victim Services.
- To say "no" to a media interview at any time, regardless if you've spoken to the media before.
- To select the time and location for media interviews.
- To request a specific reporter or refuse to speak with a particular reporter or only speak to one reporter at a time.
- To refrain from answering any questions with which you are uncomfortable or you feel is inappropriate.
- To demand a correction when inaccurate information is reported.
- To request that your name or identity not be revealed.
- To file a formal complaint against a reporter.
- To grieve in private.
Media rights adapted from the National Center for Victims of Crime INFOLINK series. Additional information from the Legal Advocates Manual: A Survivor Centered Approach to Legal Advocacy and Systems Change: New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
PAAR’s advocates will help you to understand the medical and legal systems and inform you of your rights. We can be reached by calling 412.431.5665.
TTY: 412-431-2576
Address: 81 South 19th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203-1852 | Directions
All services free and confidential.
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