What should I do if I am sexually assaulted while in college?
Regardless of the circumstances, it is never your fault if you are sexually attacked. Dial 911 if you are in urgent danger. As soon as possible, report the sexual assault to the authorities by calling 911 if you are in a safe location.
You can also report the sexual assault to school authorities for additional support if it occurred on campus or the victim was a student. To support you in pursuing your education, the school is necessary. You can get a no-contact order, request a change in the dorms, or request a modification in the class schedule to help you feel safer on campus. If you require further support, federally funded schools may offer tutoring or counseling.
How common is sexual assault on college campuses?
All ages, colors, and ethnicities of female students have experienced sexual assault at some point. In college, one in five women reports having been sexually assaulted.
Research indicates that the initial months of their first and second semesters in college provide the greatest risk of sexual assault to students.
Lesbian, bisexual, and homosexual women are more likely than heterosexual women to be sexually assaulted on college campuses.
Why is sexual assault on college campuses so common?
- Filing a sexual assault report. Of college-age women who are sexually assaulted, only one in five report the incident to the authorities.4 It might be challenging to discuss sexual assault with outsiders, but reporting it can help you feel more in control and stop abusers from harming other people. By reporting, you also assist school administrators in setting up measures that spare you from having to deal with the perpetrator of your abuse.
- Influence from peers. Women in their college years frequently live on campus among peers, not parents or other senior citizens. Peer pressure can influence students to partake in socially inappropriate activities such as drug or alcohol use, frequent bars, or unpleasant sexual encounters. One form of sexual coercion is being coerced into unwelcome sexual activity in order to gain social acceptance.
- Reporting a sexual assault. Just one in five college-age women who experience sexual assault disclose it to the police.4 Talking about sexual assault with strangers may be difficult, but reporting it can make you feel more in control and prevent offenders from hurting other people. By reporting, you also help the authorities of the school put in place safeguards that save you from having to deal with the abuser.
- Peer pressure. College-age women often live on campus among their classmates, not with their parents or other elderly neighbors. Students who are subject to peer pressure may engage in socially improper behaviors including drug or alcohol abuse, frequent bar visits, or uncomfortable sexual experiences. Coercing someone into unwanted sexual behavior in order to obtain acceptance from society is one type of sexual abuse.
What steps can I take to be safer on a college campus?
Sexual assault cannot be prevented since the perpetrator of the aggressive or abusive act is always at fault. But there are things you can do to make other people feel safer around you and protect them from prospective attackers
- Prior to spending time alone with someone, get to know them well. Making new acquaintances and getting to know new people is a big part of college life. However, you shouldn’t depend solely on a stranger to keep you secure.
- Join buddies for hangouts or gatherings. Make your arrival, check in, and depart together as a group. Make sure everyone is aware of your plans for the evening by talking about them.
- Meet new individuals or go on first dates in a public setting.
- Pay attention to your “gut feelings” or intuition. The majority of women who experience sexual assault are aware of the perpetrator. Leave if you’re by yourself with someone you don’t trust. For whatever reason, if you are uncomfortable anywhere, get out of there. Whether or not you feel safe is a decision that only you can make.
- Recognize how much alcohol or drugs you consume. According to research, over 50% of victims of sexual assault had been drinking at the time of the attack.8 While abusing alcohol or drugs can cause you to lose awareness of what is going on around or to you, drinking does not make the attack your fault.
- You never know who might sneak drugs or booze into your drink, so be careful what you put in it.
- If you feel inebriated despite not having consumed any alcohol or if the effects of alcohol seem more intense than usual, get treatment immediately. This can occur if your drink contains a date rape medication. Date rape medicines are tasteless and odorless, and they can make you faint and forget what happened.
- Keep an eye on your surroundings. Steer clear of using headphones to listen to music or converse on the phone, especially while you’re out on your own. Stay aware of your location as you navigate the campus. Stay in locations with light at night, or ask someone you know or campus security to accompany you.
- Acknowledge your available resources. If you ever need assistance, you should be aware of where to turn. Be aware of the locations of the campus health facility, police department, and sexual assault center. Locate the emergency phones on campus and enter the campus security number into your mobile device.
- Organize your route home. Make sure your phone is charged before using a ride-sharing service. As a backup plan for a cab, think about carrying cash or a credit card.
What should I do if I am sexually assaulted while in college?
Regardless of the circumstances, it is never your fault if you are sexually attacked. Dial 911 if you are in urgent danger. As soon as possible, report the sexual assault to the authorities by calling 911 if you are in a safe location.
You can also report the sexual assault to school authorities for additional support if it occurred on campus or the victim was a student. You must receive assistance from the school to continue your study. You can get a no-contact order, request a change in the dorms, or request a modification in the class schedule to help you feel safer on campus. If a sexual assault occurs on campus and you require additional support, such as counseling or tutoring, schools that receive federal funds may offer it.
What are some effects of sexual assault on campus?
In addition to anxiety and despair, women who experience sexual assault may also get post-traumatic stress disorder. However, kids could also encounter difficulties in reporting the assault or receiving the necessary assistance from the school. It may also be more difficult for women to heal after an assault if they often interact with the perpetrator in dorms, classes, or other university settings.
According to one study, of rape survivors who remained on campus, more than one in five thought about dropping out of school and nearly one in three had scholastic difficulties.
Remind yourself that you are not alone if you have experienced sexual assault. Find out what to do if you’ve experienced sexual assault. This involves asking for assistance from the school administration. If you have experienced assault on campus, your school is obligated to assist you.
How can I be safer when studying abroad?
When studying abroad for a semester, the chance of rape can be as high as five times higher than on an American college campus.
You can adhere to the same safety precautions at your home university when studying overseas. These include being conscious of your surroundings, going out and staying in groups wherever possible, abstaining from alcohol entirely or cutting back to a level at which you still feel in control, and constantly monitoring your drink.
Before you leave, visit the Students Abroad page of the U.S. Department of State to learn more about the nation you will be residing in. To contact with the American embassy in the nation where you will be studying and obtain safety advice, you can join in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
An international crisis line, safety advice, and pre-travel information are provided by Sexual Assault Support and Help for Americans Abroad.
Did we answer your question about sexual assault on campus?
Call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 for additional information regarding sexual assault on campus, or use these resources from the following organizations:
Stop Campus Rape – Resources and information regarding rape and sexual assault on university campuses.