4/16/07-4/22/07
Sexual Assault
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month!
Sexual Assault is ANY unwanted, forced, manipulated, or coerced sexual contact or activity. It can be visual, physical, or verbal. Sexual assault is an act of power and has a devastating impact on victims and their family members. 
- An estimated 1 out of 4 women and 1 out of 6 men have experienced rape or attempted rape.
- It is estimated that a rape or attempted rape takes place about once very TWO minutes!
- The majority of women who have been assaulted never report the rape making sexual assault to be a SILENT EPIDEMIC!
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MYTH: The problem of sexual assault really isn't that big of a problem in our country or on our campuses.
FACT: Despite an overall drop in violent crimes in the last decade, the prevalence of rape and sexual assault has been going up.
Victims of sexual assault DO NOT cause their assaults. Perpetrators are always responsible for their behavior.
MYTH: A person can't be raped by someone that he or she knows, is dating, or someone she or he has had sex with before.
FACT: It does not matter what the relationship is between the victim and the rapist. Sex against a person's will in any situation is rape. It does not matter if the two had sex before, if they are going out, even if they are married. On campus, the majority of sexual assaults are date or acquaintance rapes, with nearly 90% of the victims knowing the offender.
Definition of Rape:
Rape is any sex act involving penetration against a person's will, without a person's consent, or when a person is unable to give consent. It could vaginal, anal or oral, could include the penis, fingers, or other objects.
Consent: A person might be giving consent, especially non-verbal to kissing and touching at the beginning, which might lead to the false assumption that the person is consenting to intercourse or further sexual activity. This is not necessarily the case. A person has the right to change their mind anytime during sexual activity.
Other instances where consent to sexual activity is either not being given or is not valid that are perhaps less clear, but are also illegal, harmful or wrong include:
-Forcing sex with fear or threats (just because they do not fight back--paralyzed by fear--does not mean the person is consenting)
-Coercing another person into sex or wearing them down (The person gives up, this passivity is not consent)
-A person not able to give legal consent because he or she is drunk or high (when people are drunk, they are not able to legally give consent)
Drug Facilitated Rape:
This occurs when an offender uses a drug such as Rohypnol, GHB or ketamine to incapacitate a person in order to have sex with that person. The drug is often slipped into a person's drink without their knowledge.
**While concerns about drug-facilitate rape are valid and real, it should also be noted that excessive alcohol consumption is the most widely used method to attempt to incapacitate potential victims
MYTH: Men can't be raped
FACT: a growing number of males are reporting rape that has happened to them. It is estimated that somewhere between 3-8% of men are victims of rape. In addition, it is estimated that 1 in 6 boys were sexually abused before the age of 16.
MYTH: Many people who say they were raped do so because they regret having sex, are trying to save their reputation, or "get back" at the man.
FACT: According to the FBI only 2% of reported rapes are false claims.
What we can do:
Better communication: Clear communication both in terms of speaking and listening, may prevent some situations from progressing to a point where sexual violence occurs.
Avoid Assumptions
Be careful about mixing alcohol and sex
Take care of your friends: If you went to a party together, LEAVE TOGETHER. If one of your friends has had too much to drink, we need to take care of that person and make sure he or she gets home safely. If you hear about a potential sexual assault situation, forget about the potential embarrassment and go check to make sure your friend is OK.
If someone you know has been raped:
1.Believe the Person
2. Help the Person Feel Safe. Listen and Comfort.
3. Encourage the Person To Get Medical Attention (if going to the hospital ask your friend to try not to "clean up" this includes not bathing, showering, changing clothes, or brushing teeth. It is important not to inadvertently destroy evidence used to establish your case. Even if a person is not considering pressing charges, medical attention may be necessary for physical injuries or to try to protect from potential STDs, STIs, or pregnancy. Remember the nurse/MD will not make you or your friend do anything you do not want to do and will support the need to regain control of your life. She will also help you to review all your options and WILL respect your decisions without judgment.
4. Recommend the Person Talk To a Crisis Counselor.
5. Reinforce That He or She is Not to Blame.
6. Recognize that Healing Takes Time.
---If you have been raped instead of encouraging your friend have your friend encourage you and follow these same steps for yourself.
If you need help you can contact:
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
UW-Stout Student Health Services:
715-235-1314
In an Emergency call 911
Past Sexual Health Topics |
| HPV:Human Papillomavirus |