Sexual Assault

 Sexual Assault is...

• The non-consensual touching of the sexually intimate parts of a person without that person's consent or permission.

• Between a male and female, male and male, or female and female and is therefore not gender-specific.

• Everyone's problem, including the victim, their family and friends, and the whole community.

• Punishable by Washington State Law. 

• A violation of the whole person.

Common myths about sexual assault:

Myths are beliefs that are culturally formulated, socially transmitted, and Factually unfounded. Myths about sexual assault deny the violent, hostile, and demeaning nature of these crimes and often shift the blame from the abuser to the victim.

Myth: Rape is sex.
Fact: Rape is experienced by the victims as an act of violence. In a survey of more than 6,000 students at 32 colleges and universities in the U.S., it was found that one in four women had been victims of rape or attempted rape, prior or during their time in college (Warshaw, Robin. I Never Called it Rape: The Ms. Report non Recognizing, Fighting and Surviving Date or Acquaintance Rape. New York: Harper Perennial, 1994). While sexual attraction may be influential, power, control and anger are the primary motives. Most rapists have access to a sexual partner. Gratification comes from gaining power and control and discharging anger. This gratification is only temporary, so the rapist seeks another victim.

Myth: Incest is rare.
Fact: Incest is common and happens in every community. An estimated 77% of reported sexual abusers are parents (57% of the total being natural parents), 16% are other relatives, and 6% are non-related. In addition, males are reported to be the abusers in 60 to 95% of cases. (Thoringer, School of Psychology Review, 17 (4): 614-636)

Myth: Women often make false reports of rape.
Fact: According to the FBI crime statistics, less than 2% of the reported rape cases are found to be false. There are no more false reports of rape than there are of any other crime.

Myth: Rape only happens to young, attractive women.
Fact: Rape can and does strike anyone anytime. Age, social class, and ethnic group has no bearing on the person the rapist chooses to attack. Research data clearly proves that a way a woman dresses and/or acts does not influence the rapists choice of victims. His decision to rape is based on how easily he perceives his target can be intimidated. Rapists are looking for available and vulnerable targets.

Myth: A person who has really been assaulted will be hysterical.
Fact: Survivors exhibit a spectrum of emotional responses to assault: calm, hysteria, laughter, anger, apathy, shock. Each survivor copes with the trauma of the assault in a different way. 

 Further Definitions

Coercion: The use of force, or threat of force, the use of a threat of immediate or future harm, or the use of physical or severe and/or pervasive emotional intimidation to cause another person to engage in or submit to certain activities. Coercion also includes administering a drug, intoxicant or similar substance that impairs the person's ability to give consent.

• Videotaping or photographing of a sexual nature web-cam, camera, internet exposure, etc., without knowledge and consent of all persons.
• Knowingly transmitting HIV or STD to an unknowing person o to a person who has not consented to the risk.
• Inducing incapacitation with the intent to commit sexual assault - in this instance, sexual exploitation can occur regardless of whether sexual activity actually occurs.
• Voyeurism.

Protecting Against Acquaintance Rape

• Know your sexual intentions and limits. You have the right to say "No" to any unwanted sexual contact. If you are uncertain about what you want, ask the friend/acquaintance to respect your feelings.
• Communicate your limits firmly and directly. If you say "No," say it like you mean it. Don't give mixed messages. Back up your words with a firm tone of voice and clear body language.
• Don't rely on "ESP" to get your message across. Don't assume that your date will automatically know how you feel, or will eventually "get the message" without you having to tell him/her.
• Remember that some people think that drinking heavily, dressing provocatively, or going to another person's room indicates a willingness to have sex. Be especially careful to communicate your limits and intentions early in such situations.
• Listen to your gut feelings. If you feel uncomfortable or think you may be at risk, leave the situation immediately and go to a safe place.
• Don't be afraid to "make waves" if you feel threatened. If you fell you are being pressured or coerced into sexual activity against your will, don't hesitate to state your feelings and get out of the situation. Better a few minutes of social awkwardness or embarrassment than the trauma of sexual assault.
• Attend large parties with friends you can trust. Agree to "look out" for one another. Try to leave with a group, rather than alone or with someone you don't know very well.
  

Protection Against Stranger Rape

• Always be aware of what is going on around you. Stay alert to your surroundings.
• Walk with confidence. Hold your head up and your shoulders straight.
• At night, stick to well-lit, populated areas and walk with another person. Avoid walking in isolated areas.
• Use campus escort services (e.g., the GU Knights or Campus Safety and Security).
• Take special precautions in parking structures, stairwells, elevators, bathrooms, and dark areas with shrubbery. Studies show that many assaults by strangers occur in these places.
• If you suspect that you are being followed, go to a place where there are other people as soon as possible. If you choose to run, run as fast as you are able to and scream to attract attention or summon help.
• Follow your gut instincts. If you sense that you may be at risk or in danger, try to get out of the situation. For example, if you see a suspicious looking person or someone who makes you feel uncomfortable, leave the area. Report your suspicions to the authorities.

• Lock your door at all times, even if you run down the hall for just a few minutes to visit a friend.
• Do not prop security doors open.
• In residence halls accessed only by a special key or card, do not let anyone without such a key enter, no matter how presentable their appearance or plausible their request seems. Simply tell them, "I would like to help you out, but we are very concerned about security in this residence," and direct them to Campus Safety and Security for assistance.
• Be especially aware of security during vacation periods, when there are fewer people on campus.