Sexual Assault is a Prevalent Issue: Here Are 17 Ways to Save Yourself
Sexual assault is a growing problem on college campuses. According to the CDC, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men are sexually assaulted while attending college. Though most of these incidents go unreported, what can be done to help better protect students and make campuses a safer place?
This write-up will discuss how colleges can lower sexual assaults by implementing several actions that have been proven effective at other universities. These include an increased police presence around campus, education programs for first-year students about consent and bystander intervention strategies as well as counseling services for victims of sexual assault. By taking action now there is hope that we can see a decrease in this terrible trend before it gets out of control.
1. Educate yourself and others on the definition of consent
One way to prevent sexual assault is by understanding what it means before engaging in any type of intimacy with someone else. Consent must be clear between partners for sex to begin
According to the CDC, consent is “an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create clear permission regarding willingness to engage in sexual activity”. This means that people cannot assume someone else wants sex just because they are not saying “no”.
Someone who is intoxicated cannot give consent. If someone does not want to have sex, it means no and that person has a right to say so. Consent must be freely given without any pressure or coercion from the other partner
For there to be consensual sexual activity between partners, both must be mentally and physically capable. To ensure that the person you are with can give consent, ask if they would like to have sex. Any answer besides yes means no.
Even if someone seems interested in having sex or does not say anything when their partner initiates sexual activity, it doesn’t mean they consent. If at any point during sexual activity the partner stops responding, changes their mind or is unresponsive due to intoxication, that means no and it should be stopped immediately. Just because someone doesn’t say “no” does not mean yes.
Being proactive in educating yourself about what consent looks like will help reduce the risk of rape. Do not assume that someone else wants to have sex when they may be uninterested or too intoxicated. Always communicate with your partner and ask them if they want to engage in sexual activity before doing so.
2. Bystanders should be courageous to intervene
One of the most common reasons sexual assaults go unreported is because students witness them and choose not to intervene. Students need workshops that teach them how to safely stop a potential assault without putting themselves in danger. This would encourage more people who know about an incident to step up and speak out against it which could lead to a decrease in sexual assault incidents.
3. A campus-wide bystander intervention program is critical
Any bystander intervention program needs to include training and education for faculty and staff as well. If professors are not educated on how to identify an assault or a situation that could lead up to one in the classroom, then they will miss key opportunities to prevent a sexual assault from happening at their school.
Campus police are already in place to protect students. But their presence could be increased. Adding security cameras around campus and increasing the number of officers patrolling the area at night may help decrease incidents by making potential assaulters feel there is more of a risk if they attempt to assault someone.
4. Support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable
To prevent sexual assault from happening on college campuses, there needs to be a culture that supports survivors of sexual violence and holds perpetrators accountable for their actions. A strong belief in the safety of students is critical as well as empowering those who have been victimized with support services they need to heal. This includes counseling programs
Campuses need to make a strong statement that sexual assault is not acceptable and will be dealt with accordingly. This can come from the school president as well as community members who share their beliefs about what should happen if someone violates another person sexually on campus. All of these actions together send a strong message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated
Any successful program to prevent sexual assault on college campuses needs to offer resources and guidance to those who have experienced it first-hand. Survivors need access to immediate crisis care as well as long-term counseling, legal aid, and advocacy services.
5. Encourage more people to report assaults
Since many sexual assaults go unreported, it is important to provide resources for victims who do come forward. According to the Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC), “studies show that rates of reporting are correlated with victim support systems and access to crisis services” (Sexual Assault Resource Ctr.)
By having a program in place that supports survivors, more students will feel comfortable coming forward with their stories and reporting them which can lead to a decrease in sexual assault incidents.
6. Wear a watch with an alarm or timer
One of the easiest ways to help prevent sexual assault is to keep track of how long you are in a situation. Those who find themselves alone with someone they do not know well should only be there for as long as it takes them to finish their task or conversation and then leave immediately. By ensuring that your time will end soon, you will be less likely to put yourself in a situation where you could be sexually assaulted. Tell the person you have little time to spare. Create a sense of urgency.
7. Access to instant crisis care
If you know someone who has been the victim of a sexual assault on campus, some steps can help them heal and regain their sense of safety. The first step is to provide access to immediate crisis care such as medical treatment for injuries sustained in the attack or testing and prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections
By having access to immediate crisis care, victims of sexual assault on campus can begin the process of healing and move forward. This includes long-term counseling services as well as legal aid for those who wish to press charges against their assaulter. Having advocates in place is also an important part of the healing process
If the victim has been drinking alcohol, they have a good chance of being admitted to the hospital for treatment. In addition to medical care, victims receive support from crisis counselors who can help them through this difficult time and recovery. If students choose not to press charges against their assaulter(s), it is still possible to receive counseling
8. Carry pepper spray and/or a personal safety device
One way to feel safer is by carrying a personal safety device that can be used in the event of an attack. This includes items such as pepper spray, whistles, and alarms which emit a loud noise when activated.
By having these devices on hand at all times, you can help better protect yourself. Having access to these devices can also help in situations where you are not the only person involved. For example, if someone is sexually assaulting another student or physically hurting them, having a safety device on hand could be used as a way to get past an assaulter and into contact with authorities
There are many different types of personal safety devices available. This list is not exhaustive, but here are some examples: mace pepper spray (one brand name is SABRE Red), alarms, whistles, stun guns/Tasers. The National Crime Prevention Council has a helpful guide to help you select the right tools for your needs.
9. Avoid excess alcohol consumption
One of the biggest factors in sexual assault is alcohol consumption. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), “alcohol is involved in about half of all unwanted sexual experiences among college students, ranging from 62% for women at one extreme to 41% for men at the other”
Alcohol consumption is a known factor in sexual assaults. In fact, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA), approximately 1/3 of college students who are sexually assaulted report that their assailant was intoxicated.
Previous research has found that alcohol consumption leads to more risk-taking behavior which can contribute to unwanted sexual contact. Furthermore, alcohol impairs judgment and may lead people to engage in behaviors they would not if sober, such as initiating sex with someone they would not have otherwise or engaging in risky sexual activity like unprotected sex with multiple partners.
For colleges and universities to be successful at preventing these crimes from happening, we must understand why this happens so we can take steps towards prevention.
If someone has too much to drink it becomes more difficult for them to give or deny consent. If you are drinking, always have a friend with you who can help keep an eye on how much alcohol is being consumed. If someone else has had too much to drink and needs assistance getting home safely, offer to call them a ride or walk them back themselves
Limit the amount you drink and stick with one or two drinks at parties. Keep in mind that your judgment may be impaired when drinking. When alcohol is involved, there can be a lack of clear consent between partners which leads to sexual assault. By limiting the amount you drink and sticking with one or two drinks at a time, you can help reduce your risk.
I0. Don’t walk alone at night
It is always a good idea to walk with another person, especially if you are not familiar with the area. If someone does try and attack you, it will be easier for them to overpower one person than two.
If walking alone in an unfamiliar place or at night makes you feel uneasy, make sure that you are aware of your surroundings. Also, always have a way to contact authorities available in case you need help.
There are many different ways for this to be done through technology on your smartphone or device. One example is the SafeTrek app which allows users to press and hold their phone’s home button when they feel unsafe.
11. Don’t leave drinks unattended
One common tactic used by assaulters is to slip drugs into someone’s drink. Not only can this lead to sexual assault, but it could also be dangerous if the person has an allergic reaction. It is always best to not let your drinks out of your sight. If you are at a party or bar and need to go somewhere else in the building.
If you are ever at a party or bar and need to go somewhere else in the building, make sure your drinks do not leave your sight. If someone offers to get you a drink from another location, always have it sent by one of their friends who is still there.
12. Carry a whistle or personal alarm with you
Loud noise can be an effective way to scare away unwanted company and alert people around you of possible danger. By carrying whistles, alarms, keys, cell phone earplugs (which emit high-pitched noises upon pressing the button) on your person at all times
13. Be aware of drugs being used to assault victims at bars and parties
Unfortunately, many college students have been slipped a date rape drug during their time in school without them even realizing it. While some may trust others around them not to take advantage of them, there are still those who will prey on people when they are vulnerable
If someone is acting abnormally and does not seem like themselves, it would be best to keep an eye on them. If you see that they are about to leave with someone or after drinking a lot of alcohol, try and stop them before they do so.
Drugs that can be used to facilitate a sexual assault include GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), Rohypnol, and ketamine. These drugs are typically colorless, tasteless, and odorless which makes it easy for the perpetrator to slip the drug into an unsuspecting person’s drink.
Be aware of the symptoms associated with these drugs, which include memory loss or blacking out. These are signs that something is not right and if you notice them in someone, try to make sure they get home safely without being taken advantage of by anyone else.
14. Be aware of your surroundings
If you feel like someone is following you, trust your gut and find a way to get out of the situation. If necessary, call for help from authorities through multiple ways such as being able to dial 911 on your phone.
It’s important to be aware of who may be following you, especially if they are not with another group. If possible, try and stay in a well-lit or crowded area where it will be easier for someone to notice what is going on if something does happen.
15. If you are unsure about someone’s behavior, say something
If you feel uncomfortable with the way that another person is acting towards or around you, speak up! Do not ignore it. Letting them know how their actions make you feel will help prevent sexual assault from happening.
When attending a party, it is always important to be friendly with the people you’re hanging out with but also aware of who they are. If someone seems uncomfortable around another person, it could mean that something bad may happen.
Be assertive in your needs and boundaries. If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, speak up! If necessary, leave the person’s presence or find a trusted authority figure to help keep you safe. Always know what your limits are when it comes to activities with another person so that they can’t be taken advantage
16. Use caution when using social media platforms
Although it can be fun to connect with people over social media, there are potential dangers involved. If you want to meet someone in person that you have met online but cannot due to safety concerns, keep your first meeting public and try having a friend join you for support.
It is also important to keep an eye out for potential predators and cyberbullies. Keep your information private and do not share any personal details with strangers over the internet unless necessary.
17. Teach children about body safety
This can be done by telling them that no one should ever touch their body in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. This should also include an explanation about why someone might do this and how to get help if they ever come across such a situation.
Children should be taught early on that their bodies are only for them and they should never allow someone to touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Steps to take to lower sexual assault cases on campus
- Some steps can be taken to lower the cases of sexual assaults on campus. For example, there should always be an open line of communication between faculty members and their students as well as between staff members at universities so that they may report any suspicious activity or behavior immediately.
- University officials need to have programs available for those who have been victims of sexual assault so they know where they can turn if needed.
- Lastly, universities need to ensure all facilities such as dormitories, bathrooms, etc., are equipped with security cameras so perpetrators will think twice before committing such acts again knowing they could potentially get caught on camera doing something illegal or inappropriate. If you want more information about how your school is taking action against this problem check out our website today.
- There should be an open dialogue about sexual assault with your peers. Everyone needs to understand that it’s never okay to touch someone without their consent or force them into any kind of sexual activity against their will. If you see something happening that makes you uncomfortable, don’t ignore it — speak up.
- It’s important for everyone on campus to understand that there’s no one way someone “looks like they want sex” or acts when they don’t want sex.
- Always remember that consent is mandatory — not just during hookups but also with friends and acquaintances who may have had too much alcohol or other substances before getting involved with you.
- Every student should know where all the emergency call boxes around campus are located so you never feel trapped alone with someone who makes you uncomfortable.
- We need to encourage others around us to take action against sexual violence by speaking out whenever they witness an act of disrespect toward another person’s body or boundaries — whether it’s verbal harassment or physical abuse. This is because silence only perpetuates this problem further into our society today.
Actions to take if you are sexually assaulted
1. If you are sexually assaulted, the first thing to do is get away from the assailant
2. Report what happened to a trusted adult or authority figure
3. Seek medical attention if necessary
4. Get emotional support from friends and family members
5. Seek legal help by contacting an attorney or police department in your area
6. Take care of yourself by eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of sleep. This will help you heal emotionally and physically after a sexual assault incident.
7. Remember that it is not your fault. Don’t blame yourself for what happened.
8. Get help rebuilding your life with therapy and counseling services if needed.
9. Know that there are many resources available in the community for survivors of sexual assault such as rape crisis centers or shelters where you can go for safety while others try to find who did this to you so they can be arrested by law enforcement officials (police). These resources are confidential so no one will know you went there unless you tell them about it.
10. Document everything that happened (keep evidence like clothes, photos of injuries)
Bonus tips
- Educate yourself on the topic of sexual assault.
- Understand that it is never too late to speak up.
- Report any suspicious behavior to campus security or law enforcement.
- Have a plan for how you will get home safely, whether it be walking with someone else, taking an Uber, or requesting a ride from campus security.
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, get out of there as quickly as possible.
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