Presented by the Women’s Center Staff

Sexual assault includes a wide range of victimization, distinct from rape or attempted rape. These crimes include completed or attempted attacks generally involving unwanted sexual touching or penetration without consent. It may or may not involve force—includes such things as grabbing or fondling. Sexual assault also includes verbal threats.

Sexual assault is the second most common violent crime committed on college campuses today; however, it is also one of the most underreported crimes. At least 1 in 4 college women will be the victim of a sexual assault during her academic career. At least 90% of all sexual assaults are committed by an acquaintance of the victim. On average, at least 50% of college students’ sexual assaults are associated with alcohol use.

Travel with a buddy. Stay in groups, as there is safety in numbers. Plan your outings and avoid getting into a bad situation. Stay sober. Studies indicate that about half of all U.S. sexual assaults involve the use of alcohol by the offender, the victim, or both. Never leave a drink unattended. Educate yourself about date rape drugs. Walk only in lighted areas after dark. Keep the doors to your room/apartment locked. Know where the phone is located. Don't go anywhere alone with someone unless you know the person very well and trust him or her.

Trust your instincts; if a place or person feels unsafe, it probably is. Watch for signs of trouble and avoid individuals who: Don't listen to you Ignore personal space boundaries Make you feel guilty or accuse you of being uptight for resisting sexual advances Express sexist attitudes and jokes Act jealous or possessive If you sense trouble, get to a safe place as soon as possible/attract help any way you can.

Being assertive means that you state what you want. Remember: "No" means "No." If you do not want to be intimate with another person, tell him or her clearly. Use a confident voice and body posture. Match your body language to your words - don't laugh and smile while saying "No." Do not just "go along" for the wrong reasons.

NEVER force yourself on another person or attempt to pressure, intoxicate, argue, or bully someone into having sex with you, even if you think one or both of you deserve it. No one deserves to have their body to be used in ways they do not want. If you don’t hear “Yes,” stop. Real Men Don’t Use Their Strength For Hurting

Better communication in sexual situations If someone says NO to your sexual advances, recognize that it is not a rejection of you as a person. If you feel you are getting “mixed messages” from a potential sex partner, ask for clarification. Pay attention to verbal indicators, tone of voice, body language, etc.

Communication is sexy if you make it that way. Consent means asking and receiving expressed permission, so make it sexy, and say it with passion (that's right, use your movie star voice): o Do you want to have sex? o Can I kiss you here? What about here? o Are we moving at an okay speed? o I respect you, so I want to know the pace you want. o Can I take your shirt off? o Is it okay if I take my pants off? - Laci Green: Consent 101

Here's some examples that are not consent for sexual activity even though some people mistakenly think they are: o Do you want to go back to my room? (consent only to go back to the room) o Should we get it on? (unclear what degree of sexual activity this refers to) o Do you want to keep dancing in my room? (ambiguous intent) o Do you want to get busy? (confusing – different ideas of what “busy” means) o Do you want to go to my place to watch a movie? (consent only to watch a movie)

Alcohol kills consent Let's make this clear since alcohol muddies it up. Non-verbal clues are harder to give and to read when alcohol or drugs are involved. Therefore, someone who is drunk or under the influence of other drugs cannot give consent. Even if they say yes – it doesn't count. Who's in control? The more alcohol that you've consumed, the less in control you are. And when you're not in control, you can't consent to anything.

After experiencing a traumatizing event such as sexual assault, it can be important to find a place where you feel comfortable and safe from harm. This location could be: Home Friend’s Room Local Hospital Soldiers & Sailors Hospital 32 Central Avenue Wellsboro, PA (570) Robert Packer Hospital 1 Guthrie Square Sayre, PA (570) Williamsport Hospital 777 Rural Ave, Williamsport, PA (570) Police Station Mansfield University Campus Police 104 Doane Center (570) Mansfield Borough Police 19 East Wellsboro Street Mansfield, PA (570) PA State Police – Mansfield 1745 Valley Road, Mansfield, PA (570)

Call 911 or Campus Police ( ) for immediate police protection and assistance. Contact Alan Zellner, Social Equity and Multicultural Affairs Officer at during daytime hours or at after hours. When describing an incident: Stay as objective as possible Keep things in chronological order as much as you can Provide a "reporter's view"--the who, what, where, why, when, and how of a situation Tell listeners where you were standing/sitting at the time of the incident so they can get a better feel for your vantage point

To check for injuries; you may have injuries that you can't see or feel. To prevent sexually transmitted infections. To prevent pregnancy. To collect evidence (evidence collection does not require you to place a report with the police or press charges; it preserves these options for the future). For the purposes of evidence collection, we suggest that you avoid: Drinking Eating Showering Brushing your teeth Combing your hair Changing your clothes If you have done any of these things, evidence can still be collected and it remains important for you to seek medical attention. If you have changed your clothes, take the clothes you were wearing at the time of the assault to the hospital in a paper bag (not a plastic bag). If you have not changed your clothes, it may be a good idea to bring a change of clothes to the hospital.

Counseling is often helpful for survivors because it provides a safe place to talk about your experience and your feelings. Counseling services/resources: Mansfield University Counseling Center 144 South Hall (570) /4436 Help IS available. Whatever your concern, the Counseling Center is here to assist you in finding a solution. If you feel you are getting nowhere or don't know where to turn, stop by and see a member of the counseling staff. Mansfield University Women’s Center/SAFE 321 Alumni Hall (570) SAFE is a 24-hour confidential service to women and men who may have experienced date rape, coerced sex, acquaintance rape, sexual harassment, or relationship violence. The program provides accompaniment to any services for any victim wishing it. the Assistant Director for Residence Life and Student Advocacy does not make decisions for the victims, but encourages the victim to make his/her own choices based on his/her own needs. HAVEN of Tioga County 48 East Avenue Wellsboro, PA (570) Hotline: (800) HAVEN of Tioga County is a private non-profit organization committed to helping all individuals affected by domestic or sexual violence. HAVEN provides services to all men, women, and children, regardless of age, sex, class, ethnic background, or sexual orientation. All services are free and confidential.

If sexual assault has taken place, you should report the crime for many important reasons, including the following: To keep the same person from assaulting others. To provide psychological closure for yourself. To be certain about your own health and have an examination to rule out medical problems related to the assault. Tips and Warnings: College students who have been sexually assaulted on campus can report the assault to your Resident Hall's Resident Assistant, the Student Health Center, or Campus Police. Never try to confront the offender on your own. This confrontation puts you in a dangerous and potentially life- threatening situation.

If you have any questions or are in need of assistance, please feel free to contact Alan Zellner, Social Equity and Multicultural Officer at OR

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