GUILDERLAND — A 28-year-old Guilderland man was arrested Sunday, after, police say, he raped a 14-year-old girl in his Church Road trailer.

Guilderland Police say that Robert J. Coffey, of 333 Church Road, Lot 3, of Bockley’s Trailer Park, raped his young neighbor, as she visited him at his home.

Guilderland Detective John Tashjian told The Enterprise that, on Sunday, Coffey overpowered the girl, bound her wrists with wire ties, and raped her.

After the incident, the girl was able to go home and tell her parent, Tashjian said. The parent then called Guilderland Police, he said.

The girl was taken to the hospital for treatment, Tashjian said, and Coffey was arrested.
"Based on the investigation," Tashjian said, Coffey was charged with first-degree rape and first-degree unlawful imprisonment, both felonies.
Asked if Coffey had asserted his innocence, Tashjian said, "We had some conversations. I won’t release the contents."

Coffey was remanded to Albany County’s jail without bail, Tashjian said. He is scheduled to appear in Guilderland Town Court tonight (Thursday).

Coffey had been arrested before, in another state, for conspiracy to distribute drugs, Tashjian said. He hadn’t lived in Guilderland long, the detective said.

Coffey had worked at Jiffy Lube, on Western Avenue near the intersection of routes 20 and 155, for a few months earlier in the summer, said his former boss, Bob Lacross.

Lacross heard of Coffey’s arrest through The Enterprise this week.
"It’s very surprising," Lacross said. "He was a pretty normal kid...He was a good worker."

Coffey had left Jiffy Lube to purchase his own automotive garage, Lacross said. But, he said, he’s not sure if that happened.

Coffey could not be reached for comment this week.

Asked what to tell residents who may be alarmed by the incident, Tashjian said anyone with questions should call the Guilderland Police.

Dealing with rape

Rape victims face a range of emotions and can react to the trauma in a variety of ways, said Shannon Cherry, of the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

She spoke to The Enterprise this week in general terms about how to deal with rape.

After being assaulted, victims should go to the hospital as soon as possible, Cherry said. There, they can get medical treatment and samples of forensic evidence can be taken, whether the victim chooses to report the rape to the police or not, she said.

Some women are afraid to report assaults to the police, Cherry said, such as in domestic violence cases where the rapist is the victim’s husband or boyfriend.

But, she said, it is important for forensic evidence to be collected, if the woman chooses to go to the police later.

Most victims are assaulted by someone they know, Cherry said. But, she said, each victim, no matter the age or race, reacts to the trauma differently.
"Usually, they need to talk to someone," Cherry said. "It’s very hard to cope with."

Many times it’s difficult for a victim to talk to friends or family members about what happened, she said, because it’s such an uncomfortable issue for her.
"She should find someone impartial," Cherry said. "Someone that can tell her she’s normal."

The Coalition Against Sexual Assault oversees 78 rape-crisis programs across the state. Albany County has one that offers confidential counseling and support, as well as legal advice and other services.

Families of victims can also use the program, Cherry said.
"It doesn’t just affect the person," she said. "It affects the families and friends for years to come."

The best support family members can provide is to let the victim talk about the rape on her terms, Cherry said. They shouldn’t force the victim to talk or ask prying questions, she said.

Sexual assault happens more often then reported, Cherry said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that one in three women, one in four girls, one in six boys, and one in 11 men will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetimes, she said.

In New York State in 2000, Cherry said, 23,600 sexual offenses were reported. Thousands more were kept secret, she said.

Victims of sexual assault or family and friends of victims can call Albany County’s hotline at 447-7716, she said.