Sexual assault is one of the biggest problems on college campuses today. One in five college students experiences sexual assault during their college career. So what can we do to help stop this? Be informed on what sexual abuse is, who the abusers are, and what YOU can do to protect yourself.
Note: This article, and pages it links to contains information about sexual assault and/or violence which may be triggering to survivors.
Amy's Story
This past August I had a friend experience sexual assault. My friend Amy* went out one night for her good friend's birthday. Amy had simple intentions of celebrating and having a fun night- like any other night. But the night made a turn when Amy and her friend skipped dinner and, instead, consumed several rounds of shots. As the night went on Amy continued to drink. And drink. Later, Amy ran into a guy she had been talking to, John*. Amy really liked John, but John only wanted to bring her back home with him. Amy's best friends realized the situation was becoming dangerous and kept her close by so nothing could happen to her. But suddenly they noticed she was gone. Amy was in the truck with John and his roommate on the way to John's house before her friends even realized it. Amy thought nothing of it since she was only trying to have fun. That night Amy was sexually assaulted by John and his roommate. She was too drunk to realize what was happening in those moments. Once she did realize the nightmare she was in, it was too late for Amy. Amy came home that night, right after it happened, and cried in my arms. She was confused as to why these horrific things happened to her and blamed herself for the assault.
Although Amy definitely made some poor choices in this situation: not eating, consuming too much alcohol, and going home with the guys. Being sexually assaulted was not her fault.Amy did not call the police or report the incident to anyone in authority. She feared no one would believe her and those responsible would receive no real punishment. Additionally, Amy and John had the same friends and she feared those friends would leave her if she reported John. Her biggest mistake was not reporting it and thinking that anyone who was her real friend would turn on her.
*Names have been changed.
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault can take many different forms, but one thing remains the same: it’s never the victim’s fault. Sexual assault covers a wide range of unwanted behaviors—up to but not including penetration—that are attempted or completed against a victim's will or when a victim cannot consent because of age, disability, or the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sexual assault may involve actual or threatened physical force, use of weapons, coercion, intimidation, or pressure. In Louisiana, several criminal laws cover the offenses of rape or sexual assault. Whoever commits the crime of oral sexual battery shall be punished by imprisonment, with or without hard labor, without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, for not more than ten years.
The majority of perpetrators are someone known to the victim. Approximately two out of three sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim, such as in the cases of intimate partner or acquaintance rape.
Male Victims
Sexual assault can happen to anyone, no matter your age, your sexual orientation, or your gender identity. Men and boys who have been sexually assaulted or abused may have many of the same feelings and reactions as other survivors of sexual assault, but they may also face some additional challenges because of social attitudes and stereotypes about men and masculinity. Perpetrators can be any gender identity, sexual orientation, or age, and they can have any relationship to the victim. Like all perpetrators, they might use physical force or psychological and emotional coercion tactics. Andrew's shares his story of being a sexual assault survivor and speaking up, at Brown's University.
Statistics
The appalling statistics found, in the year 2000, that every college student should know:
- Less than 5 percent of completed or attempted rapes against college women were reported to law enforcement. However, in two out of three incidents, the victim did tell another person, usually a friend, not family or school officials.
- Among college women, 9 in 10 victims of rape and sexual assault knew their offender.
- It is estimated that for every 1,000 women attending a college or university, there are 35 incidents of rape each academic year.
Be Aware
People who like to party, go out, and drink irresponsibly should care about sexual assault. We’re all just looking to have fun, but it’s not fun when it happens to you. It’s not fun anymore when your friend or loved one is affected by sexual assault. You don’t know how it feels, til it happens to you. From me to you, as a woman take extra precaution to protect yourself from these kinds of situations. Whether it be at a bar or walking to your apartment at night, protect yourself by:
- Using the buddy system
- Telling someone where you’re going and who you are going to be with
- Watch your drink or ditch your drink
- Keep your online life private
- Trust your instincts
- Protect yourself
- And always, party responsibly
Men can also be proactive about sexual assault and help protect women by:
- Remember that date rape is a crime
- Don’t make assumptions about a woman’s behavior
- Don’t fall for the common stereotype that “no” means “yes”
- Confront potential rape scenes
- Educate other men about what rape really is
- See the "Men's Pledge to End Sexual Violence"
What Now?
Now that you are an informed reader of Sexual Assault, what can you do to help? Take what you learn and share it with family, friends, and co-workers. Stop and think about what our media feeds us. Take a moment to look for yourself at what the media tells us about the way men and women should be and interact with each other. Spend time with loved ones or kids helping them to see the hidden messages of violence and sexual violence in our media. Don’t just take it in without critically thinking. Be the change you wish to see. Model healthy relationships to others. Making an effort to continually treat people with respect sends many positive messages to our friends and family. If you hear a joke about sexual assault, politely explain that it is a real issue that dramatically impacts people’s lives. And lastly speak up for survivors. Let people in your life know that you are connected to resources for survivors or willing to talk about the sensitive issues of sexual violence when they arise. This will mean a great deal to anyone in their time of need.
If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, or even if you aren’t sure, contact the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) for free, confidential help, day or night.
