CARNAL NATION

We've had fun writing this column, and we hope you've had fun reading it. But as a result, we haven't really had an opportunity to talk about the kind of disasters that aren't even slightly entertaining: rape, assault and child molestation. So, to wrap up this series of articles, we'd like to address the most grave topics. Here is some entirely serious information about what to do in situations like these.

If you've been raped, and you think there's any chance that you may want to have your rapist arrested and prosecuted, do not bathe or otherwise clean yourself—if you do, you'll be destroying evidence that could help put your rapist behind bars. Many communities have rape crisis hotlines with trained staff to help you deal with the physical, emotional and legal aftermath of what's happened to you. If you think you might want to prosecute your rapist, or if you think you might have been injured, go to the emergency room, possibly with a rape crisis counselor, friend or partner as a support person.

While most rape crisis centers and emergency rooms are most familiar with female rape victims, they are well aware that men also get raped, and may be able to help you regardless of your gender or orientation. They may refer you to resources for male victims of sexual assault in your area.

If you've been battered, abused or assaulted by a partner or spouse, there is a shelter for battered women in every community. Call them for help. Although they're generally set up to help women who have been battered by male partners, they may be able to refer you to resources for gay or lesbian abuse victims, or for men who have been abused by female partners, in your area. Also, if you have abused your partner, or are worried that you might, they can refer you to groups that can help you learn more appropriate ways to deal with your relationship issues and emotions.

If you are aware of a child who is being sexually molested or abused, the federal Administration for Children and Families says: "You should call your local Child Protective Services (CPS) agency or the CPS agency in the State in which the abuse occurred. Not every State has a toll free hotline, or the hotline may not operate on a 24 hour basis. If a toll free (800 or 888) number is available, it may be accessible only from within that state. If you need to report suspected abuse in a state other than your own please call Childhelp's National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453).

We hope you never need any of this advice.