Sexual Assault on College Campuses

A sponsor of Sexual Assault Awareness Week

SEXUAL ASSAULT on

College CAMPUSes College campuses have been hotbeds of sexual assault for more than 100 years, ever since women began to attend American colleges and universities in large numbers. Only in recent years, though, has there been an open and meaningful discussion of campus sexual assault in our society. College women in their freshman year are the most raped and sexually assaulted people in the United States. At least one in four women are sexually assaulted while in college and the number may be much higher.

The Southwestern College Sun has been outspoken about campus sexual assault for nearly five years and has published two award-winning special editions entitled “Sexual Assault on Campus.� We are happy to co-sponsor Sexual Assault Awareness Week at Southwestern College. We are pleased to see college leaders here and across America recognizing the seriousness and pervasiveness of campus sexual assault.

vision

Our vision is a Southwestern College campus free of sexual assault, sexual violence and sexual discrimination where men, women and people across the gender continuum feel safe, respected and valued. It is a place where students and employees acknowledge long-standing sexual mistreatment and dedicate themselves to working together to end it. It is a campus renown for people of every sexual orientation feeling empowered, encouraged and free to be themselves.

Consent is...

clear Coherent informed

ongoing

Enthusiastic

MANDATORY

Period.

Consent is...

clear

Consent is never implied.

It is expressed through words that create mutually-understandable permission.

Saying yes to one act does not mean someone agrees to other acts.

Coherent

If someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they cannot clearly and freely give consent.

informed

Both parties should know and agree to what they are getting into. This includes being informed on sexually transmitted diseases, birth control and sexual acts.

ongoing

Consent must be granted for every step.

Consent must be granted every time.

Anyone can change their mind at any time.

Enthusiastic

Consent is about wanting to do something, not feeling like you have to or should be doing something.

Consent is saying yes without pressure or manipulation.

Mandatory

Consent is required for all sexual activity. Anything else is rape.

sexual communication How to talk to your partner about consent: - Think about your desires and boundaries.

- Ask your potential partner if they are interested in being sexual with you.

- Speak up if you are unsure.

- Speak up if you change your mind.

- Check in with your partner.

- Ask if you want something else.

- Ask every time.

How to talk ABOUT CONSENT WITH SOMEONE YOU JUST MET: Consent is required for all types of sexual encounters, including casual hookups.These encounters might involve someone you do not know very well or have never been sexual with. The tips on this page should be followed in every encounter. In order to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves, here are some additional things to keep in mind:

- Engaging in casual sex might require more verbal confirmations.

- Your current partner may not like the same thing as your last.

Asking for consent doesn’t need to be a mood killer. Try asking:

What do you want me to do to you?

Do you like it when I do ‘X’ to your ‘Y’? iS MOANING PERMISSION TO CONTINUE? Is this making you hot? would you like it if...?

bystanders

Speak up! if something doesn’t look right or feel right, say something

- Create a distraction: Do what you can to interrupt the situation. A distraction can give the person in danger a chance to get to safety.

Try: “This party sucks, let’s go somewhere else,” or “Oh man, it’s late, let’s bounce.”

- Talk directly to the person who might be in trouble.

Try: “Is this person bothering you?” or “Would you like me to stay with you?”

- Refer to an authority: Sometimes the safest way to intervene is to refer to a neutral party with authority, such as a security officer or bartender. Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you are concerned for someone else’s safety.

Try: “I’ll get a bouncer over here.” or “Hey, your mom texted me, she wants you to call her.”

- It can be intimidating to approach a situation alone. Enlist another person to support you. When it comes to expressing concern, there is power in numbers.

Try: “My friend may need some help, would you come with me?” or “Your friend looks like they are uncomfortable, do you mind checking on them?”

Why some people

DON’T HELP

“I don’t know what to do or what to say.”

“I don’t want to cause a scene.”

“It’s not my business.”

“Someone else will step in.”

It isn’t easy to speak up. It takes courage. Intervening in a situation could help prevent an assault. It is the right thing to do.

Your actions matter!

What’s the

?

difference (They are all bad)

sexual Harassment Unwanted sexual advances, unwanted requests for sexual favors and comments of a sexual nature.

sexual Assault Sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim.

Rape Non-consensual penetration.

Recovery Where to get help

After an assault, it may be hard to know what to do next. You may be injured, scared and confused. That is normal. The path to recovery is different for everyone.

The fIRST

48HRS - Get to safety: Get away from your perpetrator(s), away from physical danger and into a safe place.

- Find support: Sometimes victims may not want to report an assault right away. That is their choice. Victims should immediately seek medical and mental health support. Talk to a trusted friend, family member or faculty member.

- Get medical attention: Seeking medical attention is critical. It is essential that a medical professional check for injuries, trauma, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

- Take care of yourself: Assault is a traumatic experience. It is normal to feel numb, angry, unsafe, guilty or worthless. Build a strong support network and keep going on.

Sexual assault is not your fault.

How to report Reporting a crime to law enforcement is an individual decision. Justice looks different for everyone. It may not be an easy choice to make, but it may be a positive outcome and could prevent someone else from being assaulted.

Reporting to the police: - Call 911: If you are in immediate danger.

- Call the local police: You may call the direct line or visit the police station.

- Visit a medical center: While receiving care after an assault tell a medical professional that you wish to report the crime. You may choose to have a sexual assault forensic exam.

Preserve EVIDENCE It is important to preserve the evidence of assault. Avoid showering and changing clothes before reporting, even though it is uncomfortable.

Preserving evidence: - Increases likelihood of identifying the perpetrator.

- Increases likelihood of holding perpetrators accountable.

- Prevents future sexual assaults.

Reporting on campus Any assault that occurs on campus may be reported to Southwestern College Officials. Off-campus assaults involving employees or other students may also be reported to SWC officials.

Where to report: - Southwestern College Police Department: Building 105-D, (across from Mayan Hall).

- Office of Student Services: Dr. Malia Flood, Cesar Chavez Building, 101-E, (first floor).

- Personal Wellness Services Counselors: Cesar Chavez Building, (second floor) - Title IX Office: Dr. David Caspi, Room 101-E, (near bus stops).

- Campus Nurse: Grace Cruz, Student Center.

Students have the right to a learning environment free from sexual harassment and discrimination. It is the law.

You have the right: - to report an incident and a college investigation.

- to safety measures like class changes and escorts.

- to report retaliation by college employees, perpetrators and other students.

- to confidentiality.

Normal concerns about reporting The perpetrator was stopped before completing the assault. Attempted rape is a serious crime and should be reported. Reports of attempted rape and other assault are taken seriously.

I know the person who hurt me. Most victims know their assaulter.

Regardless of who the perpetrator is, sexual assault is against the law.

Even if you have been intimate with your perpetrator in the past or are in a relationship with them, giving consent in the past does not mean consent in the future. If you did not consent, it was an assault.

I have no visible injuries and I’m worried there’s not enough proof.

Most sexual assaults do not result in visible injuries. It’s important to receive medical attention to check for internal injuries. You may choose to have a sexual assault forensic exam to check for DNA evidence that may not be visible.

I’m worried law enforcement won’t believe me. Most law enforcement officers are understanding and on your side. If you encounter someone who isn’t taking your case seriously, ask for their supervisor and let a sexual assault service provider on campus know.

I don’t want to get in trouble. Sometimes minors are afraid of being disciplined, either by the law or by their parents, especially when it involves alcohol and breaking house rules. It’s important to remember that sexual assault is a crime—no matter the circumstances. Nothing you did caused this to happen.

TITLE IX resources (Where to get help)

TITLE IX

Title IX is a national law that bans discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation. It forbids sexual harassment, assault and rape.

Students who have been assaulted or harassed may file a Title IX grievance through Southwestern College. The college will then conduct an investigation.

dr. dAVID cASPI Southwestern College Title IX Director Office: 101E (near bus stop) (619) 216-6619 dcaspi@swccd.edu

campus resources Southwestern College Police Department Building 105 (619) 482-6380 Personal Wellness Services Cesar Chavez Building (619) 482-6700 ext. 5279 Office of Student Services Cesar Chavez Building, Room 109 (619) 482-6369 Title IX Officer Room 101-E (619) 261-6619 Campus Nurse Student Center Room 601-F (619) 482-6354

community resources Chula Vista Police Department (619) 691-5151 San Diego Police Department (619) 424-0400 National City Police Department (619) 336-4411 San Diego County (South Bay) Sheriff (619) 691-4543 Planned Parenthood (888) 743-7526

hot lines: RAINN ( a national sexual assault hot line): (800) 656-4673 Center for Community Solutions: (760) 757-3500