MEET HEIDI DAMON A WOMEN WHO FACED HER ATTACKER IN COURT " IM NO JANE DOE"

MEET HEIDI DAMON AND GET INSPIRED!

I SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY TO HEIDI DAMON
IN HER FIRST AUSTRALIAN INTERVIEW
A WOMEN WHO NOT ONLY SURVIVED A BRUTAL ATTACK AND ATTEMPTED RAPE, SHE FACED HER ATTACKER IN COURT AND TOOK BACK HER LIFE!


DRAW STRENGTH AND COURAGE FROM HER COURAGEOUS STORY AND ALLOW YOUR HEART TO SHINE WITH HER ABUNDANT SPIRIT.




LISTEN TO MY INTERVIEW WITH HEIDI

INTRODUCTION

PLAY INTERVIEW PART ONE BELOW

PLAY PART TWO BELOW

FIND OUT HOW HEIDI IS DOING TODAY

HEIDI'S APPEARANCE ON THE TODAY SHOW USA

IF YOU WISH TO CONTACT HEIDI DAMON,

PO Box 20643

Tampa, FL 33622-0643

Go to a safe place such as a police station, hospital or to a friend's house. Contact a friend or family member that you trust. Call the NSW Rape Crisis Centre or a Sexual Assault Service for support and information. If you are planning to make a report to the police, it is advisable not to wash, eat, drink or brush your teeth. Do not use the toilet unless it is urgent. Do not tidy anything including yourself, as this may destroy evidence. Have a medical examination as soon as possible. Reactions Everyone reacts differently to being sexually assaulted. There is no right or wrong way to react. Whatever you are feeling is normal. There can be many different short and long term effects of sexual violence. It is important that you are informed of your options. The most important thing is to look after yourself as best as possible. Remember this is not your fault. Safety After being sexually assaulted, you may feel vulnerable, powerless, humiliated and depressed. It is very normal to feel afraid, especially when you are reminded about the assault by things around you. Whether or not you were attacked in your own home, you may not feel safe there, especially if you live alone. Many people who have been assaulted have this feeling. Some have found it helpful to stay with a friend or relative until they feel less frightened, or until they are able to move or make their home safer. Talking to someone such as a counsellor can help you decide what you want to do to feel safe such as having a friend stay with you or staying at a women's refuge. If you know your attacker and you are frightened that he may approach you again, you can apply for an Apprehend Violence Order (AVO) from the local court. This may stop the perpetrator from contacting you, your family, or friends. The police will help you with this. Remember that the responsibility for your safety is not yours alone. Preventing violence and increasing people's safety is everyone's responsibility including governments, police, and communities. Medical Examinations It is important to seek medical attention, even if you do not think that you have been injured or you do not want to report the assault. Medical examinations will treat any injuries that you have, you may be in shock and not even know that you have injuries. Medical evidence can be collected if you decide to report the assault. You can also talk to the doctor about sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, injuries or anything else that you may be worried about. You can get medical treatment at your nearest hospital or sexual assault service, sexual health clinic or Aboriginal Medical Service. Some people feel embarrassed or ashamed about receiving medical treatment following an assault. Remember that doctors and nurses are specially trained to assist you. Talking to the Police You do not have to make a formal report straight away. It is your choice whether or not you make a statement to the police. Police policy states that it is your decision. If the assault was recent, the police may ask you to have a forensic examination. This is your choice. You can have a support person with you while you are interviewed by the police. You can choose to make an informal report if you do not want charges laid. This might help both you and other women in the future. Many people have mixed feelings about reporting to the police, only YOU can decide whether you want to speak to the police. Support It is your decision who you tell about the assault, many people find it difficult talking to the people who are most important to them about what has happened. You may be concerned about how they will react or that they will not understand. You may want to talk to someone who can provide you with support and information, who will believe you and who will not judge you. Many women have found it helpful to talk to a sexual assault counsellor. They are specially trained and are sensitive about how you may be feeling. They will give you support and can assist with decisions about what you want to do. You can call the NSW Rape Crisis Centre to talk to a telephone counsellor, or to get a referral to your local sexual assault service, 24 hours a day

Anyone who has experienced sexual assault can contact the NSW Rape Crisis Centre, a state-wide 24 hour telephone crisis, support and referral service, on ph: 1800 424 017. Rape Crisis also offers a 24 hour on-line counselling service.

Kids Helpline (24 hour and online counselling) 1800 551 800

http://www.nswrapecrisis.com.au

Sexual assault services (NSW Health)

Contact your local Sexual Assault Service, based in your Area Health Service, for help with crisis counselling as well as medical and ongoing counselling needs, help in reporting a sexual assault to the police and preparing for any court hearings or making a victim impact statement. These services are free and confidential and are available to males and females.

• If you are an adult sexual assault victim
• If you are an adult who was sexually abused as a child
• If you are a child or young person under the age of 18 years
• If you are a parent, carer, friend or family of a sexual assault victim.

Sexual Assault Services are located in Area Health Services across NSW.

To find a sexual assault service nearest you, contact:

Albury Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6058 1800 (02) 6058 4642 (24hrs)
Armidale Community Health Centre	(02) 6776 9600 (02) 6776 9500 (24 hrs)
Bankstown Sexual Assault Service	(02) 9780 2777 (02) 9828 3000 (24 hrs)
Bathurst Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6339 5677 (02) 6339 5217 (24 hrs)
Bega Valley Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6492 9620 (02) 6492 4416 (24 hrs)
Blacktown/Mt Druitt Sexual Assault Service	(02) 9881 8700 (02) 9845 5555 (24 hrs)
Bourke Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6870 8899 (02) 6870 8888 (24 hrs)
Broken Hill Sexual Assault Service	(08) 8080 1554 (08) 8080 1333 (24 hrs)
Central Coast Sexual Assault Service	(02) 4320 3175 (02) 4320 2111 (24hrs)
Child Protection Unit Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick	(02) 9382 1412
Child Protection Unit Children's Hospital - Westmead	(02) 9845 2434
Clarence Valley Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6640 2402 (02) 6621 8000 (24 hrs)
Coffs Harbour Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6656 7249 0428 632 819 (24 hrs)
Cooma Community Health Centre	(02) 6455 3201 (02) 6455 3222 (24 hrs)
Coonabarabran Community Health Centre	(02) 6842 6404 (02) 6885 8632 (24 hrs)
Coonamble Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6827 1163 (02) 6827 1150 (24 hrs)
Cowra Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6340 2356
Deniliquin Community Health Centre	(03) 5882 2900
Dubbo Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6885 8999 (02) 6885 8632 (24 hrs)
Eastern & Central Sexual Assault Service - Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown	(02) 9515 9040 (02) 9515 6111 (24 hrs)
Eurobodalla Sexual Assault Service	(02) 4474 1561/1300 139887 (02) 6492 4416 (24 hrs)
Forbes Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6850 2233 (02) 6393 3000 (24 hrs)
Glen Innes Community Health Centre	(02) 6739 0100 (02) 6730 2000
Goulburn Sexual Assault Service	(02) 4827 3913 (02) 4827 3111 (24 hrs)
Griffith Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6953 1233 (02) 6938 6666 (24 hrs)
Gunnedah Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6741 8000 (02) 6741 8000 (24 hrs)
Inverell Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6721 9600 (02) 6721 9500 (24 hrs)
Lismore - Richmond Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6620 2970 (02) 6621 8000 (24 hrs)
Liverpool/Fairfield Sexual Assault Service	(02) 9828 4844 (02) 9828 3000 (24 hrs)
Lower Hunter Sexual Assault Service	(02) 4931 2000 (02) 4924 6333 (24 hrs)
Macarthur Sexual Assault Service	(02) 4633 4100
Moree Community Health Centre	(02) 6757 0200 (02) 6757 9222 (24 hrs)
Moruya Sexual Assault Service	(02) 4474 1561 (02) 6492 4416 (24 hrs)
Mudgee Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6372 6455 (02) 6885 8632 (24 hrs)
Narrabri Community Health Centre	(02) 6799 2000 (02) 6885 8632 (24 hrs)
Nepean Sexual Assault Service	(02) 4734 2512 (02) 4734 2000 (24 hrs)
Newcastle Sexual Assault Service	(02) 4924 6333 (24 hrs)
Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Service	(02) 9926 7580(Adults) (02) 9926 7111
Northern Sydney Child Protection Unit (0-16 years)	(02) 9926 6060
Nowra Sexual Assault Service	(02) 4423 9211 (24 hrs)
Orange Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6393 3300 (02) 6393 3000 (24 hrs)
Parkes Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6862 1866 (02) 6393 3000 (24 hrs)
Port Macquarie Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6588 2882 (02) 6581 2000 (24 hrs)
Queanbeyan Community Health Centre	(02) 6298 9233
Southern Sydney Sexual Assault Service	(02) 9113 2494 (02) 9113 1111 (24 hrs)
Tamworth Community Health Centre	(02) 6767 8100 (02) 6767 7700 (24 hrs)
Taree Community Health Centre	(02) 6592 9315 (02) 6592 9111 (24 hrs)
Tweed Valley Sexual Assault Service	(07) 5506 7540 (02) 5506 7416 (24 hrs)
Upper Hunter Sexual Assault Service Musswellbrook	(02) 6542 9125
Wagga Sexual Assault Service	(02) 6938 6411 (02) 6058 4642 (24 hrs)
Westmead Sexual Assault Service	(02) 9845 7940 (02) 9845 5555 24 hrs
Wingecarribee Sexual Assault Service	(02) 4861 8000
Wollongong Sexual Assault Service	(02) 4222 5408 (02) 4222 5000 (24 hrs)

Gay and Lesbian Services

In addition to the Services listed above:

Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service: (5.30pm-10pm)

General: (02) 8594 9596 Freecall 1800 184 527

Lesbian Only: (02) 8594 9595 Freecall 1800 144 527

NSW Police Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers

Contact through your local Police Station.

Gay and Lesbian Anti-violence Project

Phone: (02) 9206 2116 Freecall 1800 063060

The Gender Centre: (02) 9569 2366