Sexual assault takes many forms including attacks such as rape or attempted rape, as well as any unwanted sexual contact or threats. Usually a sexual assault occurs when someone touches any part of another person's body in a sexual way, even through clothes, without that person's consent. Some types of sexual acts which fall under the category of sexual assault include forced sexual intercourse (rape), sodomy (oral or anal sexual acts), child molestation, incest, fondling and attempted rape. Sexual assault in any form is often a devastating crime.
Assailants can be strangers, acquaintances, friends, or family members. Assailants commit sexual assault by way of violence, threats, coercion, manipulation, pressure or tricks. Rape and sexual assault are never the victim’s fault — no matter where or how it happens. Whatever the circumstances, no one asks or deserves to be sexually assaulted.
Source: The National Center for Victims of Crime, 2008.
- 1 in 6 women and 1 in 10 men will experience a sexual assault in their lifetime.
- The chance a college woman will experience a completed or attempted rape during her four years at college is around 1 in 5.
- Alcohol is a factor in 72% of assaults in college.
- 90% of college rape victims are acquainted with their attacker.
- Of women who have had an experience that meets the legal definition of rape, only 11.8% identify that experience as rape.
- Females ages 16-19 are four times more likely to be the victims of sexual assault or rape than the general population.
- Most ‘undetected’ rapists (those who have not been convicted or served time in prison) are repeat rapists who commit an average of six rapes each.
Source: compiled from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC), and the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN)
- I was recently sexually assaulted. What can I do?
- I was sexually assaulted in the past. What can I do?
- I don't know what to call my experience, but I don't feel comfortable with a sexual encounter that I had.
- My friend has been sexually assaulted. What do I do?
- Can rape happen to men?
- What if I went on the date willingly or started talking to the person first. Does that mean I consented?
- Sometimes I go out to parties. How can I protect myself?
- Medical Help: A survivor of sexual assault can go to the hospital for a forensic examination (rape kit) for evidence collection. It is important to get medical attention even if you know you will not take disciplinary or legal action in order to determine health risks.
- Emotional Help: A survivor of sexual assault can experience emotional as well as physical consequences. Sexual assault is a traumatic experience that can have both immediate and long-term effects. Survivors of sexual assault are strongly encouraged to seek professional help.
- Disciplinary/Legal Help: A survivor of sexual assault has the option to file an incident report with the Boston College Police Department and to notify the Office of the Dean for Student Development (ODSD) for disciplinary action if the perpetrator is a student on campus. BCPD can help the survivor take legal action even if the perpetrator is not a student or the incident happened off campus.
- For what to do immediatly after a rape or sexual assault, click here.
Sexual assault, no matter when it happens, can change your life. It can change your view of yourself and others. You may experience changes in your sleeping and eating patterns. You may have nightmares or flashbacks about the assault. You may be afraid of being alone, or fear being in crowds. Support and help are available for you. You can call the Sexual Assault Network (SANet) at 617-552-BC11, available 24 hours a day, to talk about your experience. You can also seek professional counseling at University Counseling Services.
If you've had a sexual encounter that left you feeling uncomfortable or violated, but you are not quite sure what to call it, there are people available to listen and support you. The Women's Resource Center staff is available every weekday from 10 am - 4 pm as peer counselors, and professional counseling is available 24 hours a day through University Counseling Services.
- Listen and allow the survivor to speak at her/his own pace. Sexual assault is a crime about power and control, not sex. It is important to return the control that was taken away from the survivor by allowing her/him to reveal information and make decisions when she/he feels comfortable.
- Believe unconditionally. Only 2% of reported rapes are false reports. This is no different from any other crime. It is important to assure your friend that you support her/him.
- Don't question actions. The survivor is not to blame. A survivor's behavior does not cause sexual assault. No one asks to be sexually assaulted. Be careful of asking blaming questions such as, "Why didn't you scream?" or, "What were you wearing?"
- Encourage the survivor to seek help. She/he may need medical attention or additional support services. Encourage the survivor to contact the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999 to speak with a counselor for support and discuss options.
- Don't ignore your own need to discuss your feelings. You can also contact the Wellness Exchange for information and support. For more suggestions on how to help a friend, click here.
Rape is something that can and does happen to an entire spectrum of men, regardless of physical strength or prowess. Both men and women can commit rape of men, and sexual assault of a man by one or more women is just as serious as any other type of violation. Being raped does not mean that the survivor is weak or a wimp. Anyone can be overpowered or taken by surprise. Size and strength is often no match for weapons, overwhelming odds, or a surprise attack.
Consent should be informed – meaning that the person being acted upon knows what is happening – and mutual – meaning that both parties have equal input or say and they both want to participate in a given sexual act.
Consent does not occur if:
- You say yes to kissing and other intimacy, but say no beyond that.
- You are unable to freely give consent, including when you are: intoxicated, passed out, high, scared, intimidated, forced, coerced, isolated, mentally or physically impaired, beaten, or underage.
- Drugs or alcohol are used to increase the likelihood that you will have sex or ‘fool around’—this is a form of coercion.
- Your partner overlooks or ignores the fact that you are drunk—this is a form of manipulation.
- You are quiet or unresponsive to the question of consent—this is typically an indication of discomfort, shock, or disinterest
- Avoid being alone with someone you don't know well or who makes you feel uncomfortable. Suggest staying with a group.
- Avoid exchanging or sharing drinks with others, and/or leaving your drink unattended. If someone offers you a drink at a bar, club, or party, go to the bar and watch the drink being prepared. If you realize that your drink has been left unattended, throw it away.
- Take steps to ensure your friends' safety. If one of your friends appears very intoxicated, gets sick after drinking a beverage, passes out and is difficult to awaken, seems to be having difficulty breathing, or is behaving in an uncharacteristic way, get emergency medical assistance immediately.
- Always be aware of your friends. Don't leave them alone or with someone they don't know. Make sure all of your friends get home safely.
Source: compiled from the Women's Resource Center of Boston College, the Sexual Assault Network (SANet) of Boston College, New York University's Wellness Exchange