Sexual Assault Risk Awareness

Alcohol and Date Rape Drugs

Most sexual offenses involving college students involve sexual contact between persons who know one another. Many of these offenses involve the consumption of alcohol or other drugs by one or both parties, and increasingly, these acts are accomplished with the aid of so-called “date rape drugs” such as rohypnol, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), or ketamine (K).

Acquaintance Rape Risk Reduction

The following are some suggestions and measures you can take to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault:

• Know what you want sexually; set limits; don’t give mixed messages.
• Trust your “gut feeling” about situations to avoid.
• Be clear and responsible in your communication with others.
• Be assertive, firm and forceful if necessary.
• Be aware of nonverbal cues that can alert you to a problem.
• Remember that silence is not consent.
• Don't assume the other person knows what you do or do not want.
• Use the buddy system. . . watch out for your friends.
• Don't lose contro—alcohol and other drugs affect your judgment.
• Avoid secluded places at the beginning of relationships.
• Do not assume that if you are with a friend or an acquaintance, nothing bad will happen.
• Devise an action plan in advance for what you will do if confronted with a situation of possible acquaintance rape. Remove yourself from the situation at the first sign that you are feeling controlled or unsafe.
• Become comfortable with the idea that you might have to be rude, make noise, yell, etc. to remove yourself from a possible rape situation. Do not worry about hurting the other person’s feelings.

The following are suggestions and measures to take to make sure you are not responsible for committing sexual assault or rape:

• Listen carefully. take the time to hear what your partner is saying. If your partner is not being direct or giving you “mixed messages,” ask for clarification.
• Don’t fall for the common stereotype that when a woman says “No” she really means “Yes.” “No” means “No”, if your partner says “No,” believe her and stop.
• Remember that using force to have sex is a crime.
• Don’t make assumptions. Don’t assume that a woman wants to have sex just because she is drinking, dancing, dressing provocatively, engaging in kissing or other forms of sexual intimacy, or because you have had sex before.
• Be aware that having sex with someone who is mentally or physically incapable of giving consent is rape. If you have sex with someone who is drunk, drugged, passed out, or incapable of saying “No,” you may be guilty of rape.
• Get involved if you believe someone is at risk. If you see a woman in trouble at a party, or a student using force or pressuring another student sexually, don't be afraid to intervene.