- How can I reduce my risk of being sexually assaulted by someone I know?
- How can I reduce my risk of being sexually assaulted by a stranger?
- Are some men more likely to rape than others?
- What can men do to prevent sexual assault?
- What can I expect from the police if I report a sexual assault?
- What if I don't want to pursue criminal prosecution but would still like to seek a remedy to the incident and hold the assailant accountable for his/her actions?
- Facts About Sexual Assault
How can I reduce my risk of being sexually assaulted by someone I know?
Communicate your boundaries clearly and firmly. If you sense a conflict between your sexual expectations and those of your partner, discuss it. Remember, you don't need to change your expectations just to please your partner.
Don't be afraid to appear foolish or unsophisticated if you aren't ready for a sexual relationship. Many college students choose not to be sexually active.
Beware of the growing use of date rape drugs. Don't accept beverages from open containers and don't leave your drink unattended.
Be aware that even a small amount of alcohol can make you vulnerable to sexual assault. If you know you will be drinking, plan ahead and make arrangements to get home safely.
How can I reduce my risk of being sexually assaulted by a stranger?
Walk with others when at all possible or call NSCC security at 527-3636 for an escort.
When you must walk alone, stay on well-lighted paths. Walk and act confidently, even if you're feeling nervous.
Pay attention to your surroundings; if you sense danger, don't ignore it. Try to get away or seek help.
Be willing to scream or yell if someone attempts to assault you; don't be afraid of drawing attention to the situation.
If you're followed, don't go home. Go to the nearest police station or public place (then call the police).
Make sure your doors and windows are locked.
Are some men more likely to rape than others?
Men who exhibit certain traits are more likely to be sexually aggressive than those who don't. Be cautious of men who:
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Don't listen to you or ignore what you say or ignore your personal space boundaries.
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Express hostility or anger toward women in general.
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Try to make you feel guilty or accuse you of being "uptight" or "frigid" if you resist sexual overtures.
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Tell you that sex is proof of love.
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Act jealous or possessive.
What can men do to prevent sexual assault?
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Challenge jokes by others about rape, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment.
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Consider how images of sexualized violence have shaped your and your friends' attitudes about women and sexuality.
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Don't confuse friendliness with sexual invitation.
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Listen to and respect a woman's request to stop sexual activity.
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Be supportive of women friends who say they've been sexually assaulted.
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Support women's efforts to end sexual assault and join with other men to end violence against women.
What can I expect from the police if I report a sexual assault?
Law enforcement agencies view rape and other sexual assaults as very serious crimes and respond to them as such. You can expect that an officer will meet you at your residence and arrange for transportation to the hospital. Both will need to ask you difficult questions. In addition to taking your statement and gathering evidence, the investigating officer will interview any witness(es) and suspect(s). The investigating officer will also explain to you the process for criminal prosecution and discuss other available options. Even if you decide later that you don't want to prosecute, it's still a good idea to report the incident to the police because it keeps your options open.
What if I don't want to pursue criminal prosecution but would still like to seek a remedy to the incident and hold the assailant accountable for his/her actions?
You have options. If the assailant is a Seattle Community College District student you may file a complaint with the Women's Center, Security or the Office of Student Affairs (527-3641). You will be encouraged to report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Adjudication by the Seattle Community College District will occur independent of any criminal or civil action. Another option is to bring a civil suit against the assailant. You may do this regardless of whether or not the assailant is a student. Though a civil suit does not carry criminal penalties, there may be financial judgment awarded for pain and suffering as well as punitive damages. You may wish to consult with an attorney to explore this option.
Facts About Sexual Assault
Incidence
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Sexual assault continues to represent the most rapidly growing violent crime in America. 1
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Over 700,000 women are sexually assaulted each year. 2
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It is estimated that fewer than 50% of rapes are reported. 1
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Approximately 20% of sexual assaults against women are perpetrated by assailants unknown to the victim. The remainder are committed by friends, acquaintances, intimates, and family members. Acquaintance rape is particularly common among adolescent victims. 12
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Male victims represent five percent of reported sexual assaults. 11
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At least 20% of adult women, 15% of college women and 12% of adolescent women have experienced some form of sexual abuse or assault during their lifetimes. 4
Societal Attitudes
A survey of 6,159 college students enrolled at 32 institutions in the U.S.4 found:
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54% of the women surveyed had been the victims of some form of sexual abuse; more than one in four college-aged women had been the victim of rape or attempted rape
57% of the assaults occurred on dates
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73% of the assailants and 55% of the victims had used alcohol or other drugs prior to the assault
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25% of the men surveyed admitted some degree of sexually aggressive behavior
42% of the victims told no one.
In a survey of high school students5, 56% of the girls and 76% of the boys believed forced sex was acceptable under some circumstances.
A survey of 11 to 14 year-olds5 found:
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51% of the boys and 41% of the girls said forced sex was acceptable if the boy "spent a lot of money" on the girl
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31% of the boys and 32% of the girls said it was acceptable for a man to rape a woman with past sexual experience
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87% of boys and 79% of girls said sexual assault was acceptable if the man and the woman were married
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65% of the boys and 47% of the girls said it was acceptable for a boy to rape a girl if they had been dating for more than six months.
In a survey of male college students: 35% anonymously admitted that, under certain circumstances, they would commit rape if they believed they could get away with it. One in 12 admitted to committing acts that met the legal definitions of rape, and 84% of men who committed rape did not label it as rape. 6 7
In another survey of college males8:
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43% of college-aged men admitted to using coercive behavior to have sex, including ignoring a woman's protest, using physical aggression, and forcing intercourse.
15% acknowledged they had committed acquaintance rape
11% acknowledged using physical restraints to force a woman to have sex.
Women with a history of rape or attempted rape during adolescence were almost twice as likely to experience a sexual assault during college, and were three times as likely to be victimized by a husband. 9
Sexual assault is reported by 33% to 46% of women who are being physically assaulted by their husbands. 10
Source References
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Dupre, A.R., Hampton, H.L., Morrison, H., and Meeks, G.R., Sexual Assault. Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey. 1993;48:640-648.
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National Crime Center and Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Rape in America: A Report to the Nation. Arlington, VA; 1992:1-16
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National Victim Center, and Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Rape in America: A Report to the Nation. Arlington, VA; 1992:1-16.
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Koss M.P., Hidden rape: sexual aggression and victimization in a national sample of students in higher education. In: Burgess A.W., ed Rape and Sexual Assault. New York, NY: Garland Publishing: 1988;2:3-25.
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White, Jacqueline W. and John A. Humphrey. "Young People's Attitudes Toward Acquaintance Rape." Acquaintance Rape: The Hidden crime." John Wiley and Sons, 1991.
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Koss M.P., Dinero, T.E., Seibel, C.A. Stranger and acquaintance rape: Are there differences in the victim's experience? Psychology of Women Quarterly. 1988:12:1-24.
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Malamuth N.M. Rape proclivity among males. J Soc Issues. 1981;37:138-157.
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Rapaport, Karen R. and C. Dale Posey. Sexually Coercive College Males. Acquaintance Rape: The Hidden Crime, edited by Andrea Parrot. John Wiley and Sons, 1991.
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Ellis, Atkeson, Calhoun, 1982: Gidycz, Coble, Latham, Layman, (1993); Guthrie, Notgrass, 1992.
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Frieze IH, Browne A. Violence in marriage. In: Ohlin, L, Tonry, M, eds. Family Violence: Crime and Justice, A Review of Research. Chicago, Ill: University of Chicago Press; 1989:163-218.
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American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Adolescence. Sexual assault and the adolescent. Pediatrics. 1994;94(5):761-765.
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Heise, L.L. Reproductive freedom and violence against women: where are the intersections? J Law Med Ethics. 1993;21(2):206-216.
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