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Sexual Assault |
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For Staying Safe |
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- What
is Sexual Assault
Any unwanted sexual contact or attention achieved by force, threats, bribes, manipulation, pressure, tricks, or violence. It may be physical or non-physical and includes rape, attempted rape, incest and child molestation, and sexual harassment. Sexual assault is a crime of violence, anger, power and control where sex is used as a weapon against the victim.
Any hurtful or unwanted behavior perpetrated upon an individual by an intimate or prior intimate. Includes physical, psychological and emotional abuse. Primarily a learned behavior whose effects, without intervention, become more destructive over time.
Any unwanted sexual contact or attention achieved by force, threats, bribes, manipulation, pressure, tricks, or violence by someone with which the victim is acquainted. The perpetrator may be a spouse, a partner, a friend, or merely someone the victim sees around the neighborhood from time to time. This is by far the most common type of sexual assault. 85% of victims know their attackers (National Violence Against Women Survey 1998).
Any repeated, unwanted behavior of a sexual nature perpetrated upon one individual by another. Sexual harassment may be verbal, visual, written, or physical. It can occur between people of different genders or those of the same sex. Harassing behaviors may occur in a variety of relationships including those among peers, and those where there is an imbalance of power between two individuals. The law is primarily concerned with the impact of the behavior, not the intent. In other words, the law is concerned with how the person on the receiving end is affected by the behavior, not with what the other person means by the behavior.
(definitions taken from Turn Around.org)
- Date
Rape Drugs
- Certain drugs, such as Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine, are sometimes
called “Rape Drugs” because they can be used as a weapon in
sexual assault crimes. When the drugs are hidden in a drink, they may
be completely undetectable. Yet, they are powerful and dangerous. They
can seriously harm or even kill you.
The drugs are usually slipped into a victim's drink without the victim's knowledge or consent. When the drugs dissolve in the drink, they are colorless and odorless. Sometimes the drugs are also tasteless. You can't tell that you are being drugged.The drugs can make you confused, weak, and/or unconscious. They put you at risk for sexual assault.
Many of these drugs are also known as "club drugs" - they are used at raves, clubs, and concerts.
Some rapists use these drugs to overpower and incapacitate their victims to facilitate a sexual assault. These crimes are sometimes called "drug-facilitated sexual assaults." Below is a typical scenario in a drug-facilitated sexual assault:
- Signs You May Have Been Drugged
-
(definitions taken from Rape Treatment Center)
-
Feeling a lot more intoxicated than your usual response to the amount of alcohol you consumed…
Waking up very hung over, feeling “fuzzy,” experiencing memory lapse, and being unable to account for a period of time…
Remembering taking a drink but being unable to recall what happened for a period of time after you consumed the drink…
Feeling as though someone had sex with you, but being unable remember any or all of the incident
- Prevention
of Sexual Assault
There is no perfect way to protect yourself against rape, but the following have worked for many people:
Know you Have the Right to Set Sexual Limits
You may have different limits with different people; your limits may change. Be clear about what you want or don't want in each situation.Communicate those Limits
Get them across to the other person. ESP doesn't work.Stay Sober
- Trust your Feelings
- If you feel you're being pressured into unwanted sex, you're right.
- Pay Attention to Behavior that Doesn't seem
Right
- Someone sitting or standing too close who enjoys your discomfort.
- Power stares - looking through you or down at you.
- Someone who blocks your way.
- Someone speaking in a way or acting as if he/she knows you more intimately than he/she does.
- Someone who grabs or pushes you to get his/her way.
- Someone who doesn't listen or disregards what you're saying (like
NO.)
- Be Assertive
- Get angry when someone does something that you don't want.
- Act immediately with some kind of negative response.
- Stand up for yourself - it's ok to be rude to someone who is sexually pressuring you, even if it hurts his or her feelings. After all, they aren't paying attention to your feelings.
- Take self-defense training.
taken from Turn Around.org)
- Reporting A Rape
-
Reasons to Report the Crime
You may choose to report the rape to the police for reasons such as to see that the rapist is punished, and to protect others from being victimized in the future. Reporting the rape may also help you to feel more powerful and ease feelings of being a helpless victim.Another reason you may choose to report the rape is that it makes you eligible for Crime Victim’s Compensation benefits. These benefits can cover medical costs and financial losses resulting from the rape, and may even cover long-term psychotherapy. Your state's Crime Victims Board, the police, or a rape crisis counseling program can give you information on how to apply for Crime Victim’s Compensation.
Sexual Assault in any form, including acquaintance rape, violates COS's standards of conduct and will not be tolerated. COS has instituted procedures to respond to violations of these standards. We are in the process of developing programs aimed at prevention of such conduct and intervention and counseling on behalf of the survivor.
- Survivors and third parties, preferably with survivors consent may report sexual assaults to Campus Safety 530 938-5395. Sexual Assault survivors on their own or with the help of COS personnel are urged to seek immediate attention from Campus Safety or the Weed Police. Survivors should preserve all evidence that may be necessary to the proof of a criminal sexual offense. Preservation includes refraining from shower or bathing and saving articles of clothing worn. Assist with adjustments in living and academic situations is available.
- Safety
Escort Service
- There is a safety escort service available till 2:30am 7 days a
week. If you are in need of an safety escort to your car or class,
etc, please don't hesitate to call 938-5395.
- Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone
is assaulted
- One in six American women are victims of sexual assault, and
one in 33 men.
- 1 in 4 American women are raped
- About 44% of rape victims are under age 18, and 80% are under age
30.
- More than half ~ 61% of sexual assaults go unreported
- 64% of women who reported being raped, physically assaulted,
and/or stalked knew their attacker.
- The National College Women Sexual Victimization Study estimated that
between 1 in 4 and 1 in 5 college women experience completed
or attempted rape during their college years
- Rape victims often experience anxiety, guilt, nervousness,
phobias, substance abuse, sleep disturbances, depression, alienation,
sexual dysfunction, and aggression. They often distrust others and replay
the assault in their minds, and they are at increased risk of future
victimization.
- Females ages 12 to 24 are at the greatest risk for experiencing
a rape or sexual assault.
- Domestic violence occurs in approximately 25-33% of same-sex relationships.
- Somewhere in America a woman is battered, usually by her intimate
partner, every 15 seconds.
- Recovering emotionally from rape can be a long and difficult process.
Be patient with yourself. Each person has a different way of coping
and healing. Some women want to carry on with their routine as much
and as soon as possible. Others find it helpful to take time off from
work and other responsibilities. Here are some things you can do to
help yourself heal:
Seek Support From Family and Friends
Seek support from family members and friends who can offer comfort without blame or control. It’s good to have a mix of people who can support you in various ways. For example, some people are better than others at dealing with intense emotions. Others may be good at the more practical things, like watching your kids while you go to a medical appointment.Consider Counseling
A rape crisis center or hotline counselor can be a good source of emotional support. This type of counselor can provide you with information about recovery and resources, and can serve as an advocate to help you obtain services.You may also want to see a mental health counselor, social worker, or psychologist, particularly if it’s taking longer than expected for you to get through the recovery process. Sometimes rape can bring up feelings and memories from past trauma (such as sexual abuse), or conflicts about self-worth, trust, control, and sexuality.
Try a Support Group
Most communities have support groups for victims of sexual assault. These groups help break down the isolation, secrecy, and shame felt by many victims. Members of the group are at different stages of healing. They share their experiences, coping strategies, and progress.Recovery from rape can be a slow process. You may find that the rape has permanently changed your life in some ways. As you go through the stages of recovery, you will find that, in time, you think less and less about the rape. It will no longer dominate your emotions. As you set goals and achieve them, little by little, your life will eventually move forward.
-
(Taken from Swedish Medical Center)
-
- Tips
for Staying Safe
- Develop a relationship with neighbors that will encourage checking in on
- Report suspicious persons or activities to campus safety: 938-5395
- Lock up wallets, purses, jewelry and other valuables.
- Report safety hazards, unsafe lighting and defective equipment.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Know where you are. Know where you are going. Know what to expect.
- Consider the purchase of a individual alarm, or other item you can carry with you.
- Plan your walking trips in advance and choose a safe well lit and populate route
- Remember, most crime is committed in response to an opportunity, so the best prevention is to eliminate opportunities.
- Keep residence doors locked at all times.
- Use only first initial with last name on mailboxes and phone book listings.
- Do not give out personal information over the phone.
- Ask employer to refrain from providing personal information about you via telephone.
- Carry your keys in your hand with a finger through the key ring and a key between your fingers.
- Put a whistle on your car key chain.
- Be assertive in your communication. Be direct and firm.
- Consider double or group dating, especially when dating someone
new.
- When attending evening events, try to travel in groups.
- Establish a buddy system where each of you has a designated person to call when arriving home after attending an evening outing.
- When selecting a screen name, choose an alias or nickname.
- Never reveal your specific location or any other personal information.
- If someone says something that makes you feel unsafe, threatened, or uneasy, call a TOS Guide (keyword: Guidepager) or sign-
- off immediately.
- Do not give your password to anyone.
- Do not open E-mail if you do not know the sender's identity.
- Never arrange to meet someone alone whom you have met online.
- If you choose to meet someone from the internet, pick a neutral, public place. Do not go alone, have a friend go with you, or have a
- friend arrive at the designated place before the scheduled meeting.
- After meeting someone through the internet, do not go home with
him; do not allow him to go home with you, even if the meeting went
well.
- After meeting someone through the internet, do not drive directly
home, he may follow you.
-
(Taken from Rape Crisis Online
- *The National Women's Health Information Center
- *The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN)
- *Rape
Crisis Online
* Siskiyou Domestic Violence & Crisis Center
Rape & Crisis Hotline # 877-842-4068
209 Third St.
Yreka, California 96097
sdvcc@snowcrest.net
services: A 24-hour crisis intervention hotline service beginning with phone referral and continuing with individual counseling. Confidential emergency shelter facility for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and the homeless requiring temporary shelter. Domestic violence advocacy assisting victims in working their way through the system of agencies; assisting with food, clothing, and household re-establishment; and assisting with other needs as necessary. Support groups are provided within a safe, supportive environment where women can explore options and share feelings with other women. Staff provides legal assistance with the preparation and filing of temporary restraining orders. Advocacy is also provided throughout the court process. Advocacy and emotional support is provided to victims of sexual assault from time of incident and continuing throughout the medical exam, legal process, and recovery period.
© 2009 College of the Siskiyous. All rights reserved.
