Anyone Can Be a Victim Of Sexual Assault
By: Jay Plyburn
Updated: November 11, 2010
Sexual assault is a crime of violence, and should never be taken lightly. If you just watched Private Practice on ABC then you've seen the aftermath of a sexual assault, and how difficult it can be to deal with. Big 2 wanted to know if that popular television drama gave an accurate portrayal of sexual assault, so we paid a visit to the Crisis Center on Thursday.
It's a non-profit organization that assists those in crisis through education, intervention, advocacy and shelter. Some are victims of domestic violence. Others are victims of sexual assault. And even though Private Practice is a fictional drama, the lady we sat down with at the Crisis Center said viewers could learn a lot by watching the show.
On last week's episode of Private Practice, Charlotte King woke up bloodied and bruised...a victim of sexual assault. In this week's episode she's still coming to terms with what happened, but how does this nighttime drama compare to real life?
Renee Morris, the assistant executive director of the Crisis Center, say's the aftermath of this assault is a very accurate portrayal.
"She was a professional and she refused to let anyone else know. She told one other doctor, but she didn't want her fiance to know. She didn't want the other doctors or nurses to know," Morris said in reference to the sexual assault on Private Practice.
She said this is common among victims of sexual assault. They chose to keep it a secret because they blame themselves.
"Maybe they went out on a date, or maybe they were friends of a friend and they're blindsided when this happens. And they think...maybe I sent the wrong signals. Maybe if I hadn't worn that skirt. Maybe I gave off the wrong...maybe it was my fault," Morris said.
But, she says, it's not the victim's fault. It's also not just women that are sexually assaulted. On the next Oprah, men admit that they've been the victim. Thankfully, places like the Crisis Center are available, and Morris hopes that more people will break their silence.
"If you are out there and if you have experienced this trauma, there is a place here in Ector County that can offer counseling and support groups, and there is help and you need to tell someone," Morris said.
The Crisis Center in Odessa is located at 1211 Whitaker Avenue. Their services are free and everything is kept confidential. If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault, you can call their 24-hour hotline at (432) 333-2527.
