ADDRESSING SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON OUR CAMPUS

Troy University

Emily Allbritton : Diane McSwain : Loyd White : Claudia Whitehead

MYTHS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

What about the facts?

Myths

Sexual assault happens because the assailant has an uncontrollable urge or sexual passion.

You can tell a rapist by the way they look.

Strangers are the typical rapists. Men can’t be sexually assaulted. Only homosexual men sexually assault

other men.

Myths Continued Women are raped

because they asked for it.

Men can’t be sexually assaulted by women.

Women often lie about being raped.

Facts Sexual assault is an act of control and

aggression. The majority of rapists act and appear

“normal.” Usually, sexual assault occurs by an

acquaintance. Someone the victim already knows.

Between 1 and 6 and 1 in 10 males are sexually assaulted.

Facts Continued Your sexual orientation has nothing to do

with being sexually assaulted. Rape happens for power, not because of

someone is drunk, wearing tight clothes, passed out, etc.

The majority of perpetrators are men, however, women can be perpetrators as well.

About 2% of women that claim assault, lie about being sexually assaulted.

Sexual Assault Statistics

Implementation

Add Myths and facts to flyers.Distribute flyers around campus.Post flyers in classrooms and buildings.

Add them to Counseling Office’s website.

Spread the word during orientation, sexual assault awareness weeks.

PREVENTION OF SEXUAL

MISCONDUCT

“Yes Means Yes”

Education

Set up a qualified group of sophomores, juniors or seniors to become peer educators.Train them on the basic prevention of sexual

assault.Teach them about our school’s services.

○ Student Counseling Center○ On campus police○ On campus trained nurse

Education Continued Have trained students present to new

incoming freshmen during orientation.Posters, skits, etc.

Have students and professionals host a week long Sexual Assault Awareness week on a quarterly basis.

Add information to student newspaper. Trained students visit classrooms to give

small talks.

Campaigns/Programs

Yes Means Yes!T-shirts with

slogansThe only way you

should go forth is if you hear the word YES!○ The word no or

silence means NO.Yes Means Yes Video

Campaigns/Programs

Student Bystander Educate students

on stepping in to help a fellow student.

Students need to learn that they can diffuse a situation.

Bystander video

Campaigns/Programs Self Defense

Train counselors in personal self-defense.○ Rape Aggression Defense or R.A.D. ○ Counselors hosts training sessions for

interested students.

University Taxi ServiceOn call for students that need rides from

bars, restaurants, etc.○ No student should have to walk home alone.

Involve Athletics

T-shirts can be given away during sports events.

Have students pass out flyers with counseling center information.

Have Counseling Center contact information displayed at basketball arena, football arena, etc.

Host meetings for players and coaches to get them onboard for the bystander program.

CHANGING THE PARADIGM

Community Involvement

From Blame to Support

Community Involvement Town Hall meeting

Hold meetings in the community in which counselors and Peer Educators present workshops on sexual assault myths and facts, prevention, and available resources

Bystander programEncourage community members to step in

and prevent sexual assault among themselves and the university students

Set up a mentor program

ACCOMMODATING THE NEEDS OF

SURVIVORS

Each victim is unique

Victim Information

Sexual violence is never the victim's fault. It doesn't matter where you were, the time

of day, what you were wearing, or if you were drinking – sex without consent is rape.  

Any form of sexual violence can be a traumatic experience. It will be important for you to address emotional

trauma in addition to any physical injuries resulting from an assault.

Safety Assessment Each victim is unique. Safety plans and assessments should

be tailored to the individual. Identify ways to enhance safety.

Assess the specific risk the perpetrator poses

Identify community and/or population-specific safety concerns.

Provide interpreters. Be conscious of pronouns.

Emotional Support Addressing threats to a sexual assault

survivor’s emotional safety can be just as important as addressing physical safety concerns.

Collaborate closely with advocates, counselors, and free community-based services.

Advocate with other services on campus to help protect sexual assault survivors.

Empower the Victim Allow victim to think through options and

implications to keep themselves safe. Encourage victim to report the assault. Let victim choose the options best for

them and adjust the safety plan when necessary.

Ensure that the victim understands and can read, because there may be an alternative to the written safety plan.

ENSURING THE RIGHTS OF THE

ACCUSED

Innocent until proven guilty

Rights of the Accused Student No action shall be taken that would deprive the

accused student of rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution, federal or state law, or the University's Instrument of Student Judicial Governance. The right to the presumption of innocence until proven

guilty. The accused student has the same access to

University services and assistance as any other student.Unless he/she is suspended under the guidelines set

forth by the university.

Rights Continued Students accused of sexual assault may obtain

confidential assistance and counseling at Counseling and Wellness Services.

Accused students are also encouraged to use the services offered by the Division of Student Affairs and other offices, but should be aware that confidential assistance and counseling are only available at Counseling and Wellness Services.

Students should receive a fair hearing according to university policy.

Privacy and Confidential Record Keeping

Information about a reported sexual assault involving a student should only be made available in accordance with federal and state law, University policy, and the provisions of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act relating to the privacy of student records.

A University office that receives a report about a sexual assault incident may keep confidential records essential to the provision and completion of its service and for general statistical purposes; for safety purposes; and for risk management.

Program for the Accused

Students accused of sexual assault will be automatically placed into a rehabilitation program.

This program will:Define sexual assault and rape.Implement student-specific treatment and

counseling. Encourage the students to become a voice

against sexual assault.Assign each student a mentor.

INCORPORATING SOCIAL MEDIA

Promoting the message

Create a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram account for the University Counseling Center/program

Facebook: Detailed information of services Create event pages for awareness weeks and

programs Twitter:

Tweet facts and statistics of sexual violence Instagram:

Pictures of campaigns and programs

References http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/education/edlife/stepping-up-to-sto

p-sexual-assault.html?ref=edlife&_r=0      

http://www.stepupprogram.org/docs/handouts/STEPUP_SexualAssault_Myths_and_%20Facts.pdf

http://sites.psu.edu/rockblogs/2013/02/19/every-two-minutes-counteracting-rape-myths-with-facts/

http://www.parents.com/blogs/parents-perspective/2013/12/04/health/5-things-people-dont-understand-about-sexual-abuse/

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Only_Yes_Means_Yes_Campaign.png

http://upsettingrapeculture.com/ http://www.itsneh.com/2012/04/campaign-yes-means-yes-goes-interna

tional/

http://www.victimrights.org/sites/default/files/ http://www.fris.org/Prevention/Prevention.html http://deanofstudents.unc.edu/sites/deanofstudents.unc.edu/files/Sexu

alAssaultResponsePlan_0.pdf