Safe Campuses Now feels that education is a key to prevention.  Here we try to help define rape and sexual assault and provide information that will help people protect themselves if they are in a situation where they could become a victim.  Education is a must.  Please take the time to read through all of our available information and visit related sites as well.

• Definitions.
• What is Rape or Sexual Assault?
• How should you react to danger?
• How to become a Survivor, not a victim.
• What to do if your friend or someone you know is raped.
• What is acquaintance rape?
• Additional online resources about rape.

Definitions

Rape is forced sexual intercourse, including both psychological coercion and physical force. Forced sexual intercourse means vaginal, anal or oral penetration by the offender(s). This category includes incidents where the penetration is from a foreign object such as a bottle. This definition includes attempted rapes, male and female victims, and heterosexual and homosexual rape.

Sexual Assault/Sexual Battery includes a wide range of victimizations, distinct from rape or attempted rape. These crimes include completed or attempted attacks generally involving unwanted sexual contact between the victim and offender. Sexual assaults may or may not involve force and include such things as grabbing or fondling. Sexual assault also includes verbal threats.

Acquaintance Rape/Date Rape/Non-Stranger Rape is forced, unwanted sexual intercourse with a person you know. It can be someone you have just met, or dated a few times, or someone you used to date. It is a violation of your body and your trust. The force involved can come from threats or tone of voice, as well as from physical force or weapons.

These are used by the US Department of Justice for the Bureau of Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey for Rape and Sexual Assault. The definition of Acquaintance Rape is from Perspectives on Acquaintance Rape by David G. Curtis, Ph.D., B.C.E.T.S., Clinical Psychologist.

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What is the bigger danger, stranger rape or acquaintance rape?
Most college students who are sexually assaulted are victimized by someone they know. Although stranger rapes occur, acquaintance rape is by far the more prevalent form of sexual violence among college students.

What is "campus rape?"
Sexual assaults that occur on college campuses (e.g., in residence halls, libraries, parking lots, walkways) and other locations that are considered to be part of the campus community (e.g., cooperative housing, fraternities, and sororities) are often referred to as "campus rapes."

Is there a connection between the use of alcohol and sexual assault?
A majority of the sexual assaults experienced by college students occur in situations involving drinking by the victim, the assailant, or both.

Who is responsible for a sexual assault if both of the involved parties have been drinking?
Being drunk is not an excuse for committing any criminal act, including a sexual assault. If a man has sex with a woman when she is prevented from resisting by the effects of alcohol or other drugs, the man can be charged with rape or sexual assault if he knew or reasonably should have known that the woman was mentally or physically incapacitated.

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Try to escape.
Scream. Make noise to discourage your attacker. Lie - tell him your boyfriend, friend, father is on his way to your home.

Consider taking a self-defense class.
This will make you feel more confident in fighting back. Contact Safe Campuses Now to sign-up for our free quarterly classes for women.

Survive.
If the rapist has a weapon, you may have no choice to submit. Do whatever it takes to survive the attack.

Fight back.
If you decide to fight back, you must be quick, determined and effective. Target the eyes and groin. Keys, pens and pencils can be jabbed into the eyes, face or neck. Smash a lighted cigarette in their face. Aim your fist or palm of your hand in a fast, upward motion to the attacker's nose. Jab the eyes with your fingers.

Talk.
Try to stall for time and assess your options.

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Suggestions

• As soon as you can, report the rape and get medical attention. Even with no physical injuries, it is important to determine the risks of STD's and pregnancy. Call 911, go to a hospital emergency room or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, operated by RAINN for free, confidential counseling, 24 hours a day: 1-800-656-HOPE. They will transfer you to your local rape crisis center. The sooner you tell, the greater the chances the rapist will be caught. But the choice to tell the police is yours.
• Get professional counseling to help you deal with feelings of anger, helplessness, fear and shame caused by rape. It helps to talk with someone about the rape - whether it happened last night, last week or years ago.
• Don't go through this alone. Ask a friend or family member to go with you to the emergency room or your local Rape Crisis/Sexual Assault Center.
• Find a safe environment: anywhere away from the attacker. Ask a trusted friend stay with you for moral support.
• Give yourself time to heal. Recognize that healing from rape takes time. You would not rush someone who has been sick to get well faster would you? Emotional healing takes time - just like physical healing. Give yourself the time you need.
• Preserving physical evidence is very important. As much as you want to wash away what happened - don't. Don't shower, brush your teeth, bathe, change clothes, douche or throw away any clothing until the police or rape counselor say it's okay. This will help catch the rapist and prevent it from happening to anyone else should you decide to tell the police and file a report.
• Remember, above all else, rape is not your fault. Do not accept the blame for being an innocent victim.

To Tell or Not To Tell?
The attack happened to you; it is your body; and the decision to press charges is yours. This decision is difficult and important.

Legal Action:  Filing Charges

• As much as you want to, don't shower, brush your teeth, bathe, change clothes, douche or throw away any clothing until the police or rape counselor say it's okay.
• Report the crime to 911, your local emergency room, or Sexual Assault Center through RAINN. They are there to help you - the victim. They will also help you with filing the police report and pressing charges against your attacker.
• Have a friend go with you to the emergency room or Sexual Assault Center. Friends are there to lean on in times of need - lean like crazy if you need to.
• Don't blame yourself - or relive the situation and play the 'what if' game. Talk with a counselor to help you accept the trauma and reclaim your life.
• If parts of the legal process get hard, remember that you are protecting yourself and others from becoming victimized.

Legal Action:  Not Filing Charges

• It is your choice not to press charges against your attacker. But not reporting the crime doesn't mean living alone with this. Tell a close friend, contact RAINN or a local counselor for help with your anger, grief, guilt and other feelings.
• Even with no physical injuries, it is important to determine the risks of STD's and pregnancy. Contact your local Sexual Assault Center or RAINN as soon as possible. These Centers are staffed with caring, concerned professionals who can help you heal but are not required by law to report the attack to the police as an emergency room is.
• Don't blame yourself - or relive the situation and play the 'what if' game. Talk with a counselor to help you accept the trauma and reclaim your life.

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Encourage your friend to get medical attention. Services at the emergency room, or through the local Rape Crisis/Sexual Assault Center are important because there may be internal injuries that are not apparent as well as the risk of STD's and pregnancy. A medical exam can also help provide evidence should the victim decide to prosecute. The victim should make these decisions.

Let your friend decide who will know about the assault. It is not your place to tell people.

Allow your friend to cry, scream, yell - whatever they may feel. Remember the victim is venting emotions toward the assailant and the situation, not you. Suggest calling a professional counselor who can help your friend with their feelings.
And remember you don't have to deal with the feelings and emotions you are having concerning your friend's attack alone either. Check with your school or university for resources near you.

Listen to your friend. Don't add your opinions. If the victim wishes to remain silent, do not force a discussion. Say you will be there to listen always.

Above all else - be a friend.

Resources

• Northeast Georgia Sexual Assault Center
  at Athens, GA (706) 353-1912
• National Sexual Assault Hotline
  Operated by RAINN for free, confidential counseling, 24 hours a day: 1-800-656-HOPE
• If you are a University of Georgia student, you may contact the University's Counseling & Psychological Services.

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Remember that acquaintance rape is a crime.
It is never acceptable to use force in sexual situations, no matter what the circumstances are. It is also never acceptable to have sex with someone who is unable to resist or consent because of the effects of alcohol or drugs or because of any other physical or mental disability.

Listen carefully.
Take the time to hear what your partner is saying. If you feel that your partner is not being direct or is giving you a "mixed message," ask for clarification.

"NO" means "NO."
If your partner says "no" to sexual contact, believe him or her and stop.

Be especially careful in situations involving the use of alcohol or drugs.
Alcohol and drugs can interfere with your ability to assess your safety and to communicate effectively.

Be aware that having sex with someone who is mentally or physically incapable of giving consent can be rape or sexual assault.
If you have sex with someone who is drugged, intoxicated, passed out, incapable of saying "no," or unaware of what is happening, you may be guilty of rape or sexual assault.

Be aware of gender or sex-role stereotypes that may cause you to misinterpret your partner's behavior.
Do not automatically assume, for example, that a woman wants to have sex just because she drinks heavily, dresses a certain way, or agrees to go to a man's room.

Don't make assumptions about your partner's behavior.
Don't assume that just because your partner has had sex with you previously, he or she is willing to have sex with you again. Also, don't assume that a partner who consents to kissing or other sexual intimacies is therefore willing to have sexual intercourse.

Be especially careful in group situations.
Be prepared to resist pressure from friends to participate in violent or criminal acts or to get involved in situations in which you do not feel comfortable or safe.

"Get involved" if you believe someone else is at risk.
If you see someone in trouble at a party or see a friend using force or pressuring another person, don't be afraid to intervene. You may save the target of the behavior from the trauma of a sexual assault and your friend from the ordeal of criminal prosecution.

Know your sexual intentions and limits.
You have the right to say "no" to any unwanted sexual contact. If you are uncertain about what you want, ask your partner to respect your feelings.

Communicate your limits firmly and directly.
If you say "no," say it like you mean it. Don't give mixed messages. Back up your words with a firm tone of voice and clear body language.

Don't rely on "ESP" to get your message across.
Don't assume that your partner will automatically know how you feel or will eventually "get the message" without your having to say it.

Remember that some people think that drinking heavily, dressing provocatively, or agreeing to be alone with them indicates a willingness to have sex.
Be especially careful to communicate your limits and intentions clearly in such situations.

Don't be afraid to "make waves" if you feel threatened.
If you feel you are being pressured or coerced into sexual activity against your will, don't hesitate to state your feelings and get out of the situation. A few minutes of social awkwardness or embarrassment is better than the trauma of a sexual assault.

Attend large parties with friends you can trust.
Agree to "look out" for one another. Try to leave with a group, rather than alone or with someone you don't know very well.

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RAINN.org
Rape, Abuse, & Incest, National Network.  RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization.  The organization operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims, and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.

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