What is Sexual Assault?
It is an act of violence defined as any unwanted, coerced, manipulated or forced sexual contact or intercourse. This includes all forms of sexual violence such as sexual penetration, oral sex, intercourse, or penetration with an object. This definition also includes any touching or fondling of sexual body parts, by force or threat of force.
- Sexual assault is a crime of violence using sex as the weapon.
What is Acquaintance Rape?
Acquaintance rape is sexual assault by a person known to the victim. This includes a friend, a date, a colleague, a fellow student, a lover and even a spouse.
- Date rape is the most common form of sexual assault on college campuses.
- Many victims of date rape feel more ashamed and guilty after the rape; they were not only victimized but also betrayed by someone they know.
What is Stranger Rape?
Stranger rape is sexual assault by an unknown assailant.
- Although not as common on college campuses as date rape, stranger rape does happen.
What to do if you Have Been Assaulted
- Go to a safe place
- Tell someone you trust or call the Women's Center, local rape crisis hotline or counseling center.
- Write down as many of the details of the assault as possible and save them. If you decide not to report the assault now, you may want the details later if you change your mind.
- Contact the Police Department. Reporting the crime can assist you regaining a sense of personal power.
- Seek Medical Care. Go for medical treatment, regardless of whether or nor you intend to report the incident to the authorities. Ask the doctor to test your blood and urine if you think your were drugged.
- Preserve all physical evidence. Do not brush your teeth, shower, douche or change clothes before seeing a doctor.
- Place each item of clothing in a separate brown paper bag. DO NOT USE PLASTIC BAGS.
- Preserve the crime scene as much as possible. Do not straighten the scene of the assault.
If Someone you Know has Been Raped...
- Believe him or her.
- Never blame or ask, "Why did you...?" or "Why didn't you...?"
- Realize that any emotion is normal after an assault.
- Ask for advice from the Women's Center, counseling center, police or local sexual assault crisis service.
- Encourage the individual to seek medical care.
- Encourage the individual to report the crime to the police.
Do NOT...
- Tell her/him how they could have avoided it.
- Tell her/him not to talk about it.
- Tell them how it would never happen to you and why.
- Feel you need to retaliate against our attacker.
- Ask us if they couldn't have done something differently during the attack.
- Say something like, "Well, it's been six months (a year, 5 years etc.) and ask if
they're "over it".
Facts:
? According to a study conducted by the National Victim Center, 1.3 women (age 18 and over) in the United States are forcibly raped each minute. That translates to 78 per hour, 1,871 per day, or 683,000 per year.- Rape in America: A Report to the Nation, National Victim Center 1992.
? 91% of the victims of rape and sexual assault are female and 9% are male. Nearly 99% of the offenders single-victim incidents are male. - Violence Against Women, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Dept of Justice, 1994.
? Of the rapes that occur on college campuses, 80% to 95% are committed by someone known to the victim. Centers for Disease Control (1999). Preventing violence and suicide.
? 90 percent of rapes on campus occur when either the rapist or victim has used alcohol. Student Affairs Today (1999). College Binge Drinking: The facts
? Less than 2% of sexual assault allegations are false, unlike other crimes where the percentage of false allegations tends to be higher. Sexual Assault, 1994
Counseling and other Campus Resources:
Survivors of sexual assault and those close to them may experience a range of emotions such as guilt, anger, fear, depression, withdrawal, and helplessness, either immediately after the incident or at a later time. These emotions are normal after an assault. Talking with a professional is helpful and is recommended. Counseling services are available for you regardless of when the sexual assault occurred and in a variety of settings.
24 Hours a Day:
Police Department.......................911
Sexual Assault Hotline................1-888-999-5545
New Britain General Hospital......860-224-5671
Your Resident Assistant or Hall Director
During the Day and on Campus:
The Office of Victim Advocacy...860-832-3795
Ruthe Boyea Women's Center....860-832-1655
University Health Services.........860-832-1925
Prevention and Counseling.........860-832-1945
How Can I Stop Sexual Assault at Central?
Sexual Assault is a complex but very real issue on college campuses today. Of course, just one or even a few individuals cannot solve this problem. However, by increasing your knowledge and acknowledging your ability to make a difference at Central, you can begin to reduce the risk. Consider the following ways you can work to stop sexual violence.
- Encourage club officers, residence hall assistants, coaches, professors, and etc. to provide pertinent information about sexual assault to students.
- Talk openly with your friends about these issues.
- Don't be afraid to get involved.
- Use the resources listed in this brochure to inform yourself and help to plan activities and programs for campus clubs and organizations.
- Speak up and take a stand in situations that may escalate to sexual abuse.
- Take care of yourself and your friends.