What Every College Student Needs to Know about Sexual Assault, Acquaintance Rape, and the Red Zone
What Every College Student Needs to Know about Sexual Assault, Acquaintance Rape, and the Red Zone
Jody K. Althouse, Director of Outreach & Education
| College students are in one of the most vulnerable age groups for sexual assault and the first six weeks of college are considered a “red zone” for incoming freshmen when it comes to rape. The first month and a half of college is the time when freshmen women are most likely to be raped or experience attempted rape. This time period is known as the “Red Zone” – a period of vulnerability for sexual assaults, beginning when freshmen first walk onto campus until Thanksgiving break.” According to multiple studies, female students are at an increased risk for sexual assault during the first few weeks of their first semester on campus.Most college students who are sexually assaulted are victimized by someone they know. Although stranger rapes occur, acquaintance rape is by far the most prevalent form of sexual violence among college students.Acquaintance rape is a misunderstood form of criminal violence. There is a common misconception that acquaintance rape is not as serious, not as criminal, and not as traumatic to the victim as stranger rape. Some people think it isn’t “real rape.” These are mistaken beliefs. Rape is a felony crime, regardless of the offender’s relationship to the victim. Acquaintance rape is just as serious and just as devastating to the victim as stranger rape.
Although the only true way to prevent rape is to stop the rapist from raping, here are some steps you can take to avoid or help to prevent acquaintance rape. Know your sexual intentions and limits and communicate them clearly. You have the right to say “no” to any unwanted sexual contact. If you say “no,” say it like you mean it. Back up your words with your body language. If you are uncertain about what you want, ask your partner to respect your feelings. Be careful to not give mixed messages. Remember that your partner cannot read your mind. Be verbal and say what you are feeling. Tell the person you are with how far you want to go, what you want and don’t want to do, and when you want to stop. Remember that some people think that drinking heavily, wearing certain clothing, 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. Trust your “gut” feelings. If you start to feel uncomfortable or unsafe in a situation, listen to your feelings and act on them. Get yourself out of the situation as soon as possible. Call for help. Ask for help or “make a scene” if you feel threatened. If you are being pressured or forced into sexual activity against your will, let the other person know how you feel and get out of the situation, even if it’s awkward and even if you embarrass the other person or hurt his/her feelings. Be especially careful in situations involving the use of drugs or alcohol. Drugs and alcohol can make you less aware of danger signs and less able to communicate clearly. Be especially aware when you are in a new situation or with people that you don’t know well. You need to be able to make good decisions to protect yourself from sexual assault. Go to parties or clubs with friends you can trust and agree to “look out” for one another. At parties where there is drinking or drugs, appoint a “designated sober person,” one friend who won’t drink or partake of drugs and who will look out for the others in the group by regularly checking on them. Leave parties with people you know. Leaving alone or with someone you don’t know very well can lead to rape. Listen carefully to the person you are with in sexual situations. If your partner says “no” to sexual contact, or their body language tells you they are unsure or unwilling, stop. If your partner was willing at first, but now doesn’t want to go any further, stop. If you think you are getting a “mixed message,” or you are not sure what your partner wants, don’t use threats or force. Stop. Ask your partner what she or he wants. Don’t assume you know what another person wants. For example, don’t automatically assume that just because a person gets drunk or agrees to be alone with you, they want to have sex. Don’t assume that just because someone has had sex with you before, she or he is willing to have sex with you again. And don’t assume that when a partner consents to kissing or other sexual touching, she or he is willing to have sexual intercourse. Get verbal consent from your partner. Be aware that if you have sex with someone who is mentally or physically unable to give consent or is unable to resist, you are committing rape or sexual assault. If you have sex with someone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, “passed out,” asleep, unable to say “no,” or too “out of it” to know what is happening, you may be guilty of rape or sexual assault. Resist peer pressure to do things you don’t want to do. Don’t participate in violent or criminal acts or get involved in any activity that makes you feel uncomfortable. Don’t ever “join in” or “go along” with people who are abusing another person. “Get involved” if you think someone else might be in trouble. If you see someone who could be about to commit rape or become a victim, help the person who may get hurt. Become an engaged bystander and stop the rape from occurring. How to Help A Friend Who Has Been Sexually Assaulted It is very difficult for a victim to tell others about a sexual assault especially if it was acquaintance rape. If someone confides in you, “be there” for your friend. The support and understanding of friends and family members can be very helpful to a sexual assault victim. Let your friend know right away that you care and want to help. “I’m so sorry this happened to you. How can I help you?” Believe your friend. It takes courage to talk about a sexual assault with other people. Many victims remain silent because they feel ashamed and/or they fear that they will be disbelieved or blamed if they tell other people about what happened to them. Don’t blame the victim. No one asks to be raped. Be a good listener. Let your friend decide what and when s/he feels comfortable telling you about the assault and its impact. Don’t press for details or ask a lot of questions. Encourage your friend to make her or his own decisions and choices. This is one way for a sexual assault victim to regain a sense of personal power and control. For example, let your friend decide if she or he wants to notify the police or contact a rape crisis center. But, do what you can to assist your friend in getting information about these and other options so she or he can make informed decisions. Offer to go with them to the hospital or to sit with them as they call a hotline. Encourage your friend to “reach out” to people and places that know how to help sexual assault victims. Offer to accompany your friend to get help, such as medical care, an evidentiary examination, counseling, or other services. Offer to be with your friend when she or he makes a police report or tells a parent or boyfriend. Remember that your friend has been through an emotionally painful, traumatic experience. Your friend may act differently after the assault. Some of your friend’s reactions may be hard to watch, but your “being there” for your friend can help a lot. Be patient and understanding. The trauma of a sexual assault does not go away quickly. It may take a while for your friend to recover. Sometimes friends and family members expect sexual assault victims to be “over it” in a few weeks. Understand that the pain the victim feels, and the symptoms, may last for a long time. Respect your friend’s privacy and confidentiality. Don’t disclose what the victim tells you to other people. Let your friend decide whom she or he wants to confide in. Take care of yourself, too. If someone you know is raped, you may feel upset. Even if your friend doesn’t want to talk to a counselor, you can get support for yourself. Talking to a counselor can help you understand your own reactions and what you and your friend are going through. A counselor can also give you ideas about how to help your friend. If you are a victim of acquaintance rape, get the help and support you need to cope with the effects of the assault and heal from the trauma you have suffered. There are free services available to you including: Centre County Women’s Resource Center (for women and men) Center for Women Students (CWS) Office of Student Conduct LGBTA Student Resource Center University Police Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) Mt. Nittany Medical Center University Health Services |
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