What are some different ways sexual assault can occur?

• Sexual Harassment - You should be able to feel comfortable in your place of work or learning. If you are being sexually harassed, you can report it to the authorities at your job, school, or local law enforcement. 

• Stalking – Learn more about stalking behaviors to help you notice them before they escalate—and take steps to protect yourself. 

• Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse - Many perpetrators of sexual abuse are in a position of trust or responsible for the child’s care, such as a family member, teacher, clergy member, coach, or other children such as older siblings. 

• Using Technology to Hurt Others - Some people use technology, such as digital photos, videos, apps, and social media, to engage in harassing, unsolicited, or non-consensual sexual interactions. 

• Sexual Abuse by Medical Professionals - When you go to the doctor, dentist, hospital or physical therapist, or see other medical professionals, you trust them to treat you with respect as they care for your health. 

• Sexual Exploitation by Helping Professionals - Sexual exploitation by a helping professional is a serious violation of your trust and, in many cases, the law. 

• Multiple-Perpetrator Sexual Assault - Multiple-perpetrator sexual assault, sometimes called gang rape, occurs when two or more perpetrators act together to sexually assault the same victim. 

• Elder Abuse - As the number of older adults in America increases, it will become all the more important to be aware of the warning signs of elder abuse. 

• Sexual Abuse of People with Disabilities - Consent is crucial when any person engages in sexual activity, but it plays an even bigger, and more complicated role when someone has a disability. 

• Prisoner Rape - If you’re an inmate, a former inmate, or know an inmate who survived sexual assault while in prison, there are resources available to you. 

• Military Sexual Trauma - Military Sexual Trauma, or MST, is the term used by the Department of Veteran Affairs to describe the effects of sexual violence experienced by a military Service member. 

• Legal Role of Consent - The legal definitions for terms like rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse vary from state to state. Consent often plays an important role in determining whether an act is legally considered a crime. 

What are the common signs associated with sexual assault?

We aim to empower students, staff, and faculty to be active, positive bystanders when they notice warning signs of relationship violence or sexual assault. A positive bystander is someone who takes action by checking in with a friend, student, or colleague about their safety and helping them connect with available resources.

Recognizing Red Flags

Relationship Violence Warning Signs:

• Using insults or derogatory language toward a partner
  
• Displaying controlling or jealous behavior
  
• Monitoring a partner’s social media
  
• Isolating a partner from friends or family
  
• Controlling finances
  
• Unexplained bruises or injuries
  
• Withdrawal from normal activities
  

Sexual Assault Warning Signs:

• Attempting to isolate someone from their friends
  
• Pressuring someone to consume excessive amounts of alcohol
  
• Use or suspected use of date-rape drugs
  
• Ignoring or pushing past physical boundaries
  
• Visible signs of incapacitation
  
• Using guilt, pressure, or coercion
  
• Unexplained bruises or injuries
  

What to Do if You Notice Red Flags

If you see something concerning, remember, you have options.
Every bystander faces a choice: Should I ignore this, or step in and try to help?

You may not witness a crisis, but you might encounter everyday behaviors that are disrespectful, harassing, controlling, or potentially harmful. In those moments, your actions can make a difference.

You have the power to:

• Stop a situation from escalating
  
• Support someone who may be at risk
  
• Prevent someone from causing harm to themselves or others
  

Use the 3 D’s of Bystander Intervention: Direct, Delegate, Distract

Direct:
Step in and address the behavior, if it’s safe. This could mean speaking up, asking someone to stop, or checking in with someone who looks uncomfortable or at risk.
Even simply listening can make a big difference. Let your friend know you care. Be supportive, don’t pressure them to talk, and remind them they deserve a safe, respectful relationship. If they choose to leave the relationship, help them plan for their safety.

Delegate:
If you don’t feel safe intervening directly, get help. Talk to an RA, GRD, Dean, campus safety officer, peer, or faculty member.

Distract:
Sometimes, creating a distraction can defuse a tense situation or give someone the chance to step away. For example, you might interrupt with a question, invite someone to join you elsewhere, or create a diversion.

Everyone Is Affected by Sexual Violence

• Every 68 seconds, another American is sexually assaulted.

• 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime (14.8% completed, 2.8% attempted) 

• About 3% of American men—or 1 in 33—have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. 

• From 2009-2013, Child Protective Services agencies substantiated, or found strong evidence to indicate that 63,000 children a year were victims of sexual abuse. 

• A majority of child victims are 12-17 years old. Of victims under the age of 18: 34% of victims of sexual assault and rape are under age 12, and 66% of victims of sexual assault and rape are age 12-17.

What was the survivor doing when the crime occurred? 

• 48% were sleeping, or performing another activity at home 

• 29% were traveling to and from work or school, or traveling to shop or run errands 

• 12% were working 

• 7% were attending school 

• 5% were doing an unknown or other activity