Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates: Statistics and Resources

College is a time of new experiences and environments, but personal safety and security on campus are significant concerns. Sexual violence on college and university campuses is a serious problem. It’s crucial for students and parents to be informed about sexual assault, its prevention, and available resources. This article provides information, statistics, and guidance on college campus safety and sexual assault awareness.

Understanding Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is any involuntary sexual act in which a person is coerced or physically forced to engage against their will, or any non-consensual sexual touching of a person. It is a form of sexual violence that includes rape, groping, forced kissing, child sexual abuse, or the torture of a person in a sexual manner. In simpler terms, it’s an incident that involves sexual contact that is forced on somebody. "Sexual activity" can range from kissing and groping to oral and vaginal rape, and exhibitionism. Victims may be forced into sexual acts through verbal or nonverbal threats, the use of alcohol or drugs, or even physical violence.

The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) indicates that many victims know their assailant. Approximately 38% of rape incidents are committed by a friend or acquaintance of the victim. Unfortunately, many victims fail to report sexual assaults for various reasons, including shame, fear of blame or judgment, fear of retaliation, the idea that "it's not that serious," the desire to suppress the traumatic act/memory, and distrust of authorities.

Quick Breakdown: Campus Crime

A majority of assaults are sex-related and take place on campus. Burglaries on campus are also a significant issue, which is why students must remember to keep their belongings safe, windows closed, and doors locked when they are home alone or have left their dorms. As far as off-campus crimes, personal property crimes are a significant problem. By securing your belongings and keeping your home locked, you will further ensure your safety. Motor vehicle theft can also be a serious issue. By putting away valuables so that they aren’t visible and enticing you will be protecting yourself and your vehicle from theft.

Exploring Different Types of Sexual Violence

Sexual violence can take many forms. It could be verbal or nonverbal. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable in any way, it’s a form of sexual harassment and should be reported promptly to the authorities.

Read also: Guide to Female Sexual Wellness

Stalking

If you sense someone following you frequently, you might want to speak with authorities. While it may not start off as malicious, it could develop to a lot more. By walking with friends or in a crowd, the chances of you getting hurt can lessen.

Coercion

Any sort of force and foul play should not be tolerated by anyone. If you or someone you know is experiencing any sort of coercion, it’s time to speak to an authority figure.

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault can involve anything from kissing, foul play, or penetration without permission from the victim. It typically involves some sort of coercion, even if the victim is trying to fight him or herself off.

Rape

The crime of Rape can occur anywhere in a public place or a private home and committed by anyone familiar or unknown. Be alert and be aware all the time and trust your instincts because if something doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t.

Diminished Capacity Rape

This form of rape occurs when the victim is in a vulnerable state and is not able to know what is happening or remember afterward. Be responsible when consuming alcoholic beverages, keep an eye on your drink at all times and abstain from drugs. If you feel you’re in an uncomfortable situation do your best to remove yourself or call for help if necessary.

Read also: Preventing Sexual Abuse

Acquaintance Rape

Friends, boyfriends, someone you thought you trusted can commit rape. We want to be trusting but those closest to us can also be a potential rapist. This is why it’s important to stand your ground at the early stages and say no to potentially dangerous situations. If you’re on a first date, make sure to set the expectations and your intentions well beforehand and don’t feel pressured to do something you’re not comfortable doing.

Partner Rape

If you feel that your significant other is forcing you to have sex without your consent, then it is “partner rape.” This is an unhealthy relationship and should be terminated as soon as possible, seek help if needed. Reach out to a friend, roommate, school counselor or trusted professor. If you feel that your relationship is not necessarily dangerous, but you still feel uncomfortable, then it is time to communicate effectively and set expectations with your significant other so that both people have a mutual understanding of set boundaries.

What to Do If You’ve Been Sexually Assaulted

Sexual Assault is a traumatic form of violence like no other. Survivors should always do what they can to stay safe and preserve physical evidence for the police.

Find a Safe and Secure Place

Being somewhere safe is the first step, then you can talk with someone, (anyone you’re comfortable with be it a roommate, friend, coworker, advisor, etc.) gather your thoughts and emotions, and figure out your next steps with peace of mind that you are away from the threat.

Get Immediate Medical Attention

Go to a college clinic, urgent care, emergency room ask for a Nurse or SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Nurse. They will proceed with the proper examination and care for you as a victim. This will also include the offer of the following:

Getting tested for possible STD’s - The earlier you get tested for this, the better. Some infections don’t have immediate side effects, but are serious and need to be treated as early as possible.
Emergency contraception - You may want to consider Plan B if penetration was involved.

Inform Friends, Family, and Counselor for Assistance

Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone trustworthy for help. Again this is dependent upon the comfort level of the victim. If you feel you can’t speak with anyone close to you then reach out to a Rape Crisis Counselor. They are specially trained in the follow up treatment of a rape or sexual assault victim:

Speak with a Legal Professional

In addition to friends and family, a legal professional can also help you with the potential criminal case against your attacker. Contact campus police, local police or SVU.

Safety Precautions to Keep in Mind as a College Student

There are several precautionary tactics students can practice to reduce risks and increase their sense of security.

Look into Self-Defense Classes

Self-defense is not only a good practice for your health, it’s also a great way to protect yourself when needed. It trains people on awareness. Self-defense classes can be taken at your local recreational or community center or YMCA. Some colleges also have self-defense courses for students to take.

Keep Your Friends and Family Posted

If you’re away from home, it’s always a good idea to let your friends or family know where you are and where you will be. This way, they won’t worry that you went missing unwillingly.

Consider Using Your Campus Escort Service, Especially If You’re Alone at Night

Most colleges offer a complimentary campus escort service. This is designed to help students feel safe and also to promote campus safety. Take advantage of it!

Review Your Social Media Privacy Settings

Stalkers are out there, more easily now with people being so openly available to be located through social media. Consider making your profile private or don’t tag locations to photos you post online until you’re no longer at the location. This way, people won’t know where you are and not unable to locate and threaten you.

Keep on Hand a Whistle and/or Pepper Spray

If you’re going to be in a dangerous situation, you’ll definitely need a means to fight off the assailant. A whistle will be great for getting the attention of others and calling for help, while pepper spray comes in handy if you don’t necessarily have self-defense skills. If it’s your first time using pepper spray, familiarize yourself with it in an open area with no people around to make sure it works properly.

General Safety Tips for College Students

Sexual assault can happen anywhere on or off-campus. This is why it is extremely important to be vigilant of your surroundings at all times.

Dorm & Apartment

Just because you’re in your campus dorm or apartment does not mean that you are completely safe. Keep these tips in mind to ensure safety in your living space:

Keep your dorm room locked at all times, day or night especially when alone in the room or sleeping.
Stow away personal items, valuable belongings, and documents in a safe drawer.
Park your car in a well-lit, safe location and keep it locked all the time.
Keep your curtains drawn when you are changing clothes.

On Campus

Even when you’re on campus with a ton of other students, it’s still important to be aware of your surroundings.

Stay alert as you walk and stay in areas that other student’s frequent as well. Attackers are less likely to go for someone in a busy area knowing there are many others around. It’s about vulnerability and accessibility to them.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid playing loud music or looking down at your phone while walking out in public.
Know your resources and where you can get help when you need it.
Listen to your gut instincts and tell someone if you feel unsafe.
Stick to well-traveled and populated routes. At night, pick the path with the most light.
Take advantage of walking escorts and shuttles if you’re out late at night.
Whenever possible, take a friend with you.

Off-Campus

Almost all the same applies when a student ventures off-campus, know the “safer routes” to take when you go out.

It’s always a good idea to take a friend with you whenever possible.
Become familiar with the safe and unsafe areas of your campus town and stay away from potentially dangerous areas and situations.
Know where all the police and fire stations are nearby, so that you can quickly get to one should you feel threatened.
Keep your valuables stowed away somewhere safe, or take them with you.
Check your smoke alarms regularly.
Keep your doors locked at all times, and windows closed when you are headed out.
When approaching your car have keys out and ready to unlock it as you approach the door. Avoid fumbling with your bags and keys.
If you’re waiting for someone in the car, keep the doors locked and windows closed.

Parties & Social Events

The Department of Community Medicine from Wayne State University shows that many sexual assaults are direct results of alcohol consumption:

At least 50% of college student assaults are associated with alcohol use.
55% of victims had been drinking alcohol.
74% of perpetrators had been drinking alcohol.
In 81% of alcohol-related sexual assaults, both the victim and perpetrator drank alcohol.

With all this in mind, it’s important to do everything you can to be responsible in any social setting.

Watch your drink to make sure nobody has access to it avoiding spiking it with something unfamiliar or dangerous.
Know your drinking limits, and don’t go past them.
Have a designated driver, money available for a cab or use an Uber or Lyft service.
Make sure to go with someone you trust.
Don’t be afraid to say no.
Trust your Instincts. If you have a bad feeling about something, chances are, you’re right. It’s time to leave!

Title IX and Campus Safety

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. This means that no one can be excluded from participating or subjected to discrimination in a program or activity that received federal funding based on their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For Title IX, sexual violence falls under the definition of sexual harassment as a form of gender-based discrimination. Other types of discrimination also covered under Title IX include pregnancy discrimination, failure to provide equal athletic opportunities, sex-based discrimination in a school’s science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) course and programs, and discriminatory application dress code policies/or enforcement, and retaliation.

All school districts, colleges, universities, or institutions that receive federal financial assistance are covered by Title IX. Under Title IX, school districts, colleges, and universities respond promptly in a manner that is not deliberately indifferent to sexual harassment.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for enforcing Title IX and provides guidance to institutions in complying with the law.

The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act, as part of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, amended the Clery Act, requiring all institutions of higher learning to educate students, faculty, and staff on preventing rape, acquaintance rape, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Campus Prevention Programs

Many universities implement campus sexual assault (SA) prevention programs. As part of a coordinated effort to prevent and respond to campus SA, the American College Health Association’s guidelines call for campuses to integrate prevention efforts that are evidence-based (when available). Most programming is exclusively bystander-focused or victimization-focused (for female audiences).

Undergraduate students generally preferred in-person programs to online programs. The social aspect of in-person programming helped students to be more engaged with the program content. Almost all students who spoke to group size preferred programs administered in small groups of 15-30 students. The majority of participants preferred for an in-person program to be offered to a co-ed audience, rather than separated based on sex or gender. Most participants were adamant that a program should be facilitated by a trained, yet relatable, peer.

Resources Available

U Got This!: An online primary prevention educational program about sexual and relationship violence. First-year and incoming transfer undergraduate students are required to complete the U Got This! program.
GetWIse programs: Designed by UHS Violence Prevention professional staff and student Peer Educators, help students explore violence prevention and survivor support topics more thoroughly on their own. Completing one GetWIse program is required for all first-year and new transfer students and encouraged for all other undergraduates to build their knowledge around violence prevention and survivor support topics.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Provides support and resources for survivors of sexual violence.
College Student Health Center or Women’s Resource Center: Visit the on-campus College Student Health Center or Women’s Resource Center
Joyful Heart Foundation: mission is to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors healing, and end this violence forever.
Campus Police, Local Police or SVU: Contact campus police, local police or SVU.

What to Do If a Friend Just Told Me They Have Been Sexually Assaulted

Being sexually assaulted will change a person forever. It is a sensitive, personal subject, and if a friend has opened up and confided in you about their recent sexual assault, then you must do your best to make them feel safe and stable, and guide them to the right resources for help as needed.

Help the victim reach a safe location.
Listen to what she/he has to say. Be a supportive listener and avoid phrases that evoke powerlessness, like "I'm sorry."
Tell the victim that this was not her/his fault.
Take the victim to the nearest clinic or hospital and…

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