What Is Sexual Assault?

The term sexual assault encompasses a broad range of unwanted sexual activities, all of which are crimes that have a profound effect on victims. Sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of age, racial or cultural background, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Likewise, perpetrators can be anyone: strangers, acquaintances, friends, family members, intimate partners, and other people in positions of trust, such as clergy.

Sex offenders are motivated by the need to control, humiliate, and harm their victims. They may use force, threats, coercion, and manipulation. They may prey on persons who are not free to consent to sexual contact due to mental incapacity, disability, intoxication (voluntary or involuntary), or because the person is underage. Whatever the circumstances, no one asks or deserves to be sexually assaulted.

If You Are a Victim or Survivor

• Understand that you are not to blame. No matter who you are, what you say or do, or where you go you do not deserve to be sexually assaulted.
• You may feel shocked or angry that it could happen to you.
• You may be anxious about your safety.
• You may feel guilt or shame, or that your family and friends blame you for the assault.
• Victims often suffer a variety of physical reactions, from changes in eating and sleeping patterns to nightmares or flashbacks. It is also common to feel powerless. Sexual assault is a violation of a person's sense of safety and trust.
• Whatever your reactions or fears, it is important to understand that they are normal. It is also important to know that help is available, whether or not you decide to report the crime.

What to expect if reported:

• Interview with law enforcement officer.
• Law enforcement may attempt to interview the suspect.
• Suspect may/may not give a statement.
• Law enforcement will continue to investigate.

Case will be reviewed by an Assistant Prosecutor with the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office

• If charges are authorized, the perpetrator may be arrested and lodged in the county jail. The case will go through the criminal justice process in the Superior Court.
• If charges are not authorized, it does not mean the abuse did not occur. Charges may be declined due to inability to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
• If a decision regarding charges is delayed, our office may be waiting for lab reports, witness statements, or other reports. Once everything is received, the case will be reviewed by the Assistant Prosecutor.

Additional Protections Available:

• If criminal charges are declined for prosecution, you may still have the ability to obtain a protective order under the "Sexual Assault Survivor Protection Act of 2015" (SASPA). In order to obtain a SASPA order, you must contact the Somerset County Court Family Division at (908) 332-7700 x 13730.
• If criminal charges are authorized, you may also have the right to obtain a Sex Offense Restraining Order (SORO) against the perpetrator. The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office will assist you in obtaining this order.
• Every investigation is unique and there is no set timeline. If you have questions at any time during the investigation process, please contact the Victim Witness Unit of the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office at 908-575-3359.

Information for Parents and Guardians

When Your Child Has Been Sexually Assaulted

Parents often have questions about how to best support their child after an allegation of sexual abuse has been reported. This brochure is designed to assist you in addressing your child's concerns as well as your concerns.

• Sexual assault is an abuse of power as well as a violation of a child's rights to normal, trusting, healthy relationships.
• Sexual abuse usually begins gradually and increases over time.
• 80% of children know their abusers - the abuser is often a relative or family friend.
• Children are never to blame for the abuse.

Signs & behavioral changes you may see in your child:

• Fear of certain people or places
• Changes in behavior
• Frequent nightmares
• Age inappropriate interest or knowledge of sexual matters
• Discipline problems
• Aggression
• Withdrawn behavior
• An older child behaving like a younger child (bedwetting or thumbsucking)

What might my child be feeling

• Guilt, shame or embarrassment - Reassure your child that he/she is not to blame.
• Betrayal - Your child may be thinking how can someone who loves me - hurt me?
• Confusion - Your child may wonder how can I be mad when I still love and care about the suspect?
• Conflict - Your child may not understand this was abuse and could have viewed the abuse as a game or even fun.
• Fearful - Your child may be fearful because the suspect could have threatened your child to not tell anyone.
• Anxiety - Your child may have anxiety regarding what's going to happen to the suspect.

The Forensic Interview

• New Jersey is a Child First State, which means the child's best interest is a priority during the interview.
• Law enforcement officers are certified and trained to interview children of sexual abuse.
• The technique used is called Finding Words.

Division of Child Protection & Permanency (D.C.P.&P.)

In certain cases, DCP&P may contact you. This does not mean you did anything wrong - this is part of their procedure.

How do I help my child after the interview?

• Get back to your routine. You don't want your child to feel any different. Children appreciate routines so whatever the routine was before the assault try and get back to it. For example: bedtime was 9pm - it's still 9pm.
• Are there issues with school? It's up to the parent/guardian to let the school know.
• Try to not discuss the assault. Let your child know you believe him/her and offer support, but do not bring up the assault.

What will happen after my child has been interviewed?

• Law enforcement may attempt to interview the suspect.
• Suspect may/may not give a statement.
• Law enforcement will continue to investigate.

What if my child wants to see the suspect?

Your child may not understand that something bad, wrong, or inappropriate happened. Explain to your child that at this time the suspect cannot visit or see the him/her. By putting the blame on the suspect your child will not feel like he/she did anything wrong by speaking to law enforcement. Make sure your child understands to the best of their ability that they are not to blame.

Case will be reviewed by an Assistant Prosecutor (attorney for the State)

Charges may be authorized

• Suspect will now be a defendant.
• Defendant may be lodged in the jail.
• Case will go through the criminal justice process in the Superior Court.

Charges may not be authorized

• Due to inability to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, charges may be declined. That does not mean the abuse did not occur.

Charges may be declined pending further investigation

• Our office could be waiting for lab reports, witness statements, or D.C.P.&P. reports - once everything is received the case will be reviewed by the Assistant Prosecutor.

Every investigation is unique and there is no set timeline to provide to let you know how long until a determination is made. If you have questions at any time during the investigation process, please contact the Victim Witness Unit at 908-575-3359.