Preventing Sexual Assault

KNOW THE FACTS

  •  Engaging in sexual intercourse with someone who is unable to give consent           for any reason 鈥 such as being intoxicated or unconscious 鈥 constitutes               rape   and is  prosecutable under New York state law.
  • Using force, threats, coercion, alcohol or other drugs to get sex is      unacceptable,  inappropriate and criminal.
  • One in six women in the U.S. has been the victim of an attempted or        completed rape; 10 percent of sexual assault victims are men.
  • Rape is not about sexual attraction. It鈥檚 about power and control.

STAYING SAFE

  • Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, or you鈥檙e getting a strange feeling from the person you鈥檙e with, remove yourself from the situation.
  • Communicate clearly. You and your partner should both be okay with the level of sexual intimacy you鈥檙e involved in. Don鈥檛 make assumptions. Remember, the absence of 鈥渘o鈥 does not mean 鈥測es.鈥 Speak up about what you want or don鈥檛 want. And remember, you have the right to change your mind.
  • Be wary of someone who doesn鈥檛 respect your choices 鈥 from food to friends or clothing. It鈥檚 likely they won鈥檛 respect your personal, intimate choices either.
  • Use the buddy system. If you鈥檙e unsure of a new acquaintance or date, double-date or go out in a group. Avoid situations where you may become isolated from others.
  • If you see someone in an unsafe situation, do something about it.
  • Report suspicious activities or persons to a law enforcement official.

AT PARTIES

  • Drink responsibly and moderately. It鈥檚 easy to get caught up in the social aspect of drinking, but you need to remain aware of yourself and your surroundings at all times. Intoxication puts you at risk of being a sexual assault victim. The number one 鈥渄ate rape鈥 drug is alcohol.
  • Don鈥檛 drink punch. You don鈥檛 know what kind of alcohol is in it or how much, which makes it impossible to monitor your consumption.
  • Keep an eye, and hand, on your drink at all times. Don鈥檛 drink anything you didn鈥檛 open or see made. 鈥淒ate rape鈥 drugs are easily slipped into open cups.
  • Use the buddy system. Go to and leave parties with friends you can trust

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'VE BEEN RAPED

  • Go somewhere safe, before anything else happens. Your safety is your first priority.
  • Seek help from law enforcement, medical facilities and/or counseling services.
    When seeking medical treatment, it鈥檚 critical that you get to an emergency room so you can make sure you鈥檙e physically well. It鈥檚 your right to have an advocate present to let you know what your options are and to be there for you during a sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE). Medical professionals perform SAFEs to collect forensic evidence that helps with prosecution, but you鈥檙e not obligated to press charges just because you allow the exam. SAFE data will be kept in a secure place for a minimum of 30 days in case you change your mind.
  • If the rape took place in your home, try not to disturb the scene since there may be evidence that is useful to the case.
  • Don鈥檛 shower, change your clothes, brush your teeth, eat, drink, smoke or wash your hands. Doing these things may result in losing valuable evidence.
  • Remember, it鈥檚 not your fault.

HOW TO HELP A FRIEND

  • Believe your friend. People rarely lie about rape, abuse or harassment.
  • Listen to your friend and concentrate on understanding your friend鈥檚 feelings.
  • Ask how you can help, and then do it. Sometimes, just listening is enough.
  • Offer to go with your friend to get medical attention or counseling, or to report the incident to law enforcement.
  • Be available and supportive.

HOW ELSE CAN YOU PREVENT SEXUAL ASSAULTS?

  • Talk about personal safety issues with your friends and family.
  • Hold friends and acquaintances accountable if they mistreat or degrade others.
  • When someone says 鈥渘o,鈥 believe it. 鈥淣o鈥 means 鈥渘o.鈥 Always.
  • Learn about educational, counseling, advocacy and other resources in your community.
  • Take a self-defense course, such as Rape Aggression Defense (RAD).

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES

In an emergency, call 911 or from a cell phone, call 607-777-2222.

NYS University Police, 607-777-2393

University Counseling Center, 607-777-2772
Offers individual and group counseling to students

Decker Student Health Services Center, 607-777-2221
Monday鈥揊riday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Harpur鈥檚 Ferry, 607-777-3333
A 24-hour emergency ambulance service

91社区 Office of Student Conduct, 607-777-6210
Monday鈥揊riday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Crime Victims Assistance Center, 607-722-4256
Provides advocates to support victims through medical examinations, legal
proceedings and other processes associated with sexual assault

Interpersonal Violence Prevention, 607-777-3062
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.