The need to establish a comprehensive approach to sexual
violence prevention on college campuses has never been greater. Young women
attending a college or university are most likely to be assaulted within the
first two years, with the overall incidence of sexual assault estimated to be
between 20%-25 %. According to research by economic researchers Jason Lindo, Peter
Siminski, and Isaac Swenson. It has been found that Division 1 football games
increase daily reports of rape among 17-24 year old victims by 28%. The
consequences of being assaulted while in college can result in an increase in Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, alcohol and drug abuse, and other negative
health outcomes.
Today, colleges and universities are under increased pressure to provide clear and effective educational material and programming in order to prevent sexual assault. The bystander approach has been utilized as a way of changing the social environment on campuses and to encourage men and women to intervene if and when they observe potential inappropriate behaviors. A recent study by Senn, Eliasziw, Barata, Thurston, Newby-Clark, and Hobden, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, June 2015, studied the impact of a new four year college small group sexual assault resistance program that was compared to providing brochures on sexual assault. The goal of the study was to determine whether the workshop intervention could reduce the one year incidence of completed rape among first year female students at three universities. The value of this kind of study is that it provided specific training for first year female students in an attempt to decrease the likelihood of sexual assault. The important components of the training included a unit on self-defense, learning to trust your own intuition and small group discussion regarding a variety of scenarios that young women often face in social situations on campus. The training also focused on healthy sexual behavior and alcohol use. The results of the study indicated that women who participated in the 12 hour training were 4.6% less likely to be raped and 5.9% less likely to have someone attempt to rape them.
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Today, colleges and universities are under increased pressure to provide clear and effective educational material and programming in order to prevent sexual assault. The bystander approach has been utilized as a way of changing the social environment on campuses and to encourage men and women to intervene if and when they observe potential inappropriate behaviors. A recent study by Senn, Eliasziw, Barata, Thurston, Newby-Clark, and Hobden, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, June 2015, studied the impact of a new four year college small group sexual assault resistance program that was compared to providing brochures on sexual assault. The goal of the study was to determine whether the workshop intervention could reduce the one year incidence of completed rape among first year female students at three universities. The value of this kind of study is that it provided specific training for first year female students in an attempt to decrease the likelihood of sexual assault. The important components of the training included a unit on self-defense, learning to trust your own intuition and small group discussion regarding a variety of scenarios that young women often face in social situations on campus. The training also focused on healthy sexual behavior and alcohol use. The results of the study indicated that women who participated in the 12 hour training were 4.6% less likely to be raped and 5.9% less likely to have someone attempt to rape them.
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The following recommendations are offered for students:
1) As an incoming freshman or transfer student, you can inquire from your college counseling service about the kind of training available to prevent sexual assault and resources available in the event of an assault on campus.
2) You and your parents can ask the university about the process of reporting an assault. You can program the campus police phone number into your cell phone and make use of campus security escort services.
3) When on dates:
a) Let a date know from the start that you can handle yourself and share the decisions about where you are going and what you will be doing.
b) Arrange a double date with a couple you know well if you are seeing the person for the first time.
c) Always let someone know where you are going, when you expect to return and who you are with. Let your date know that someone else knows you are with him or her.
d) If you begin to feel uncomfortable, pay attention to your intuition and begin to plan a way to leave.
e) Always carry money with you. If a situation gets risky, call a friend or family member or take a taxi home. In a dangerous situation don't hesitate to call the police.
f) When going on a blind date, always go to a public place like a movie or coffee shop.
4) If you experience a sexual assault seek medical attention immediately at a local hospital or emergency room. You can also contact campus police and seek support from the college counseling service.
5) You can take an assertiveness training class to learn to communicate in a direct and firm manner with someone who is pressuring you sexually.
6) Avoiding the use of alcohol or drugs that may cloud
judgement is strongly recommended.
7) Do not engage in sexting or sending inappropriate
pictures of yourself or others.
8) Be aware that forcing or coercing someone to engage in sex is hostile and aggressive.
9) Partners who say "No" to sex are not rejecting you as a person. They are expressing their desire not to participate in a single act.
10) Accept a partner’s decision not to have sexual contact. "No" means "No".
11) Do not assume that paying for a date means that your partner owes you sexual favors.
Here are some links to additional resources in Pennsylvania and nationally to contact for support and training.
8) Be aware that forcing or coercing someone to engage in sex is hostile and aggressive.
9) Partners who say "No" to sex are not rejecting you as a person. They are expressing their desire not to participate in a single act.
10) Accept a partner’s decision not to have sexual contact. "No" means "No".
11) Do not assume that paying for a date means that your partner owes you sexual favors.
Here are some links to additional resources in Pennsylvania and nationally to contact for support and training.
Phone numbers to call:
· 911· National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) 800-656-4673
· National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 or 1800-787-3224
· National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline 866-331-9474
· Trevor Project 866-488-7386
· National Suicide Hotline for Gay and Questioning Youth
Training and websites:
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape http://www.PCAR.org
National Sexual Violence Resource Center http://www.nsvrc.org
Clery Center Security on Campus http://www.clerycenter.org
(SAFER) Strengthens student-led movements to combat sexual and interpersonal violence in campus communities www.safercampus.org
Not Alone- Together Against Sexual Assault http://www.notalone.gov/
It's On Us http://www.itsonus.org
National Sexual Violence Resource Center http://www.nsvrc.org
Clery Center Security on Campus http://www.clerycenter.org
(SAFER) Strengthens student-led movements to combat sexual and interpersonal violence in campus communities www.safercampus.org
Not Alone- Together Against Sexual Assault http://www.notalone.gov/
It's On Us http://www.itsonus.org
