Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault
How to help a friend who has been raped
For further information and resources
Sexual assault, particularly acquaintance and date rape, is a serious issue on college campuses. Although men are victims of sexual assault, approximately 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted during their college careers. In addition, it is estimated that over 80% of all rapes on college campuses are committed by someone the victim knows. (Koss and Wisniewski, 1987).
While Cal Poly has long been regarded as a safe environment because of its more rural location and residential lifestyle, our campus is by no means free from sexual assault.
Rape is a serious crime. It is not uncommon for survivors of sexual assault to experience depression, increased anxiety, fatigue, nightmares, and flashbacks -- or intense memories of the event. Some women find it necessary to transfer or drop out of school for a period of time. Acquaintance rape is no less serious than stranger rape. In fact, women sexually assaulted by someone they know may experience difficulty with issues of trust and personal safety long after the assault.
Forced or coerced sexual intercourse, even with a former girlfriend or partner, is legally defined as rape. In addition, under California law, sexual intercourse when the victim is prevented from resisting due to alcohol intoxication falls under the legal definition of rape.
Myths and Facts of Rape
Common myths about sexual assault in our culture serve to minimize the seriousness of rape by focusing blame on women, by implying that women ask to be raped, by suggesting that women could easily avoid being raped if only they dressed differently, avoided drinking alcohol, didn’t walk alone, etc. If we understand the myths and facts of rape, we will be better able to confront the issue directly, reduce shame, and focus our attention on prevention efforts.
Myth #1: Rape is a rare occurrence, especially on college campuses.
Fact: The National College Women Sexual Victimization (2000) study found that on a campus with 10,000 women, the number of rapes could exceed 350 per year. Based on these figures, it might be expected that of the 8000 women on the Cal Poly campus, as many as 280 are sexually assaulted each academic year.
Myth #2: Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers.
Fact: Among college students, it is estimated that approximately 90% of all rapes are committed by someone known to the victim. The offender may be a classmate, date, boyfriend or ex-boyfriend, co-worker, friend, or acquaintance.
Myth #3: Rape is an impulsive act, unplanned and largely the result of intoxication.
Fact: While alcohol is an important factor in many sexual assaults, most rapists are repeat offenders. Lisak and Miller (2002) found that 6.4% of college men interviewed met the criteria for having committed rape or attempted rape. Of these rapists, 63.3% reported committing repeat rapes and other acts of violence against women. Many of these repeat offenders have a “game plan,” which often includes the use of alcohol or other drugs as a means to overcoming the victim.
Myth #4: Women ask to be raped by what they wear, how much they drink, going out alone at night, by flirting, etc.
Fact: No one asks to be sexually assaulted. Babies and women as old as 90 years have been sexually assaulted, men have been sexually assaulted, single and married people, lesbians/gays, bisexual and transgendered individuals, people with disabilities, and people from every racial, ethnic, religious, or social background have been sexually assaulted. As with other myths, this places responsibility for the crime on the victim rather than the offender.
Myth #5: Women frequently cry “rape.” There is a high incidence of false reports.
Fact: Studies show that only 2-4% of rape reports are false, which is no higher than the reporting of other violent felonies.
Myth #6: Sexual assault does not happen to men; if men are raped, it is homosexual rape.
Fact: Same sex assault is a frequent and serious crime. It can and does happen to men: 96% of rapists are heterosexual and only 4% of sexual assaults are homosexual assaults. The frequency of male sexual assault is difficult to estimate because of our reluctance to recognize the crime and the victim’s reluctance to report.
Most men would not force a woman to have sexual intercourse against her will. But our culture is fraught with male stereotypes that persuade some men that women want to be “conquered,” or that no means yes, or that relationships between men and women are inherently adversarial and therefore coercion is socially acceptable.
Although women can take protective measures to reduce their risk of being assaulted, such as taking a self-defense course, locking doors, jogging with a friend, approximately 90% of all rapes are committed by men against women. Men must take primary responsibility for ending rape.
If you are a man, please be aware that:
Alcohol may affect your judgment. Sexual intimacy requires you to be able to think clearly and thoughtfully. Research has consistently shown that alcohol increases the likelihood men will misperceive a woman’s friendliness as a sign of sexual interest. Flirting is not the same as consent.
Sexual activity is a choice. Talk to your partner first -- before engaging in sexual activity – and before you’ve taken that first drink.
Be sure that your partner has either verbally consented to sexual activity, or nonverbally in a way that would clearly be viewed as consent. Do not assume that previous consent to engage in sexual activity means current consent. In addition, consent may be withdrawn at any time during the sexual act.
Do not bargain, cajole, coerce, or pressure a woman for sex – ever.
If you see a woman in trouble or you see your friend behaving inappropriately, intervene either yourself or by calling someone who can, e.g. police.
Language that demeans or objectifies women is part of a culture and stereotyping that permits violence against women. Remember that your grandmother, your mother, your sister are women, too.
If you are a woman:
How to help a friend who has been raped
For further information and resources
To report an assault:
University
Police Department (UPD)
756-2281
For medical treatment, SDI and/or pregnancy testing (but not collection of evidence for legal purposes)
Cal Poly Health
Services
756-1211
For confidential counseling:
Cal Poly
Counseling Services
756-2511
Sexual Assault Recovery & Prevention Center of San Luis Obispo (SARP)
545-8888
SAFER - Sexual Assault Free
Resource Program - Cal Poly, Women's Programs
756-2282
Other campus resources:
Office of
Student Rights and Responsibilities
756-2794
Dean of Students
756-5198
Health Center Hours:
Mon,Tues,Thurs,Fri., 8am -
4:30pm; Weds
9 am- 4:30pm, (805) 756-1211
Counseling
Center Hours: Mon - Fri, 8am - 4:30pm, (805)
756-2511
