Sexual Assault

If you have been sexually assaulted, call any of the following resources to discuss your options:

• Office of Substance Abuse & Sexual Assault Education: 831-5709

• Women's Resource Center: 639-1123     24 hours

• RU Police: 831-5500

• Radford City Police : 911 emergency, 731-3624 non-emergency

• See our Resources Link for more numbers

Below you will find useful information on sexual assault and sexual harassment on college campuses.  

Sexual assault on university campuses is a matter of national concern today.  Radford University is committed to raising sexual assault awareness of students, staff, and faculty; to maintaining a safe campus environment; to providing aggressive law enforcement; and to offering prompt and compassionate support services for victims of sexual assault. 

Sexual Assault is any sexual activity obtained through the use of force, coercion, threat or through the victims inability to give consent. This act is considered unwanted if the victim has not voluntarily consented to the act.  If a victim is not in a position to make a decision, such as when under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, the act is considered unwanted.  Being forced into sexual activity even if it is a date, a steady relationship, or a casual acquaintance is still sexual assault.  Nothing a person does, says, or wears gives anyone the right to commit an assault.  Sexual assault is a violation of the University standards of student conduct and of Virginia criminal statutes.  Radford University's policy is explained in the Student Handbook.

Options:

A victim of sexual assault has a number of options available.  It is important to remember that there is not one alone that is right or wrong; it is up to the survivor to choose the one best for her or him.  It is also important to remember that it is possible to choose more than one option.  Some of these options are:

1. Obtain help in healing with the trauma of sexual assault and assistance in deciding what to do next.  There are a variety of services available to help survivors of sexual assault both within the university and the community.

2. Seek medical attention.  Even if the survivor chooses not to report the assault to the police, it is important to seek medical attention in case of the possibility of internal damage or sexually transmitted diseases.  If the survivor does choose to report the assault to the police, valuable evidence can be obtained through a medical examination.

3. File charges with Radford University.  When the persons involved are students or employees of Radford University, the survivor may file charges against the accused person with the Dean of Students office or with a staff member in the area where the violation occurred (campus police, residential staff, etc.).

4. File criminal charges through the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Charges can be filed with either the campus or city police.  It is within the power of the Commonwealth's Attorney to decide whether to pursue the charges or not.  The survivor in this case becomes a witness for the Commonwealth.

5. File civil charges against the accused.  This option would include hiring a lawyer.  In this case, the survivor would have the control over whether to proceed or not.

6. A survivor may choose not to file any charges at all.

Counseling

Counseling can be a very important aspect of recovering from a sexual assault.  It helps the survivor to understand that she or he is not to blame.  A counselor can also help ease feelings of guilt and shame and help the survivor to understand his or her feelings.  Counseling can also restore the survivor's self-confidence and self-esteem.

Tips for Reducing Your Risk

People can be, and are, sexually assaulted by friends, family, neighbors, dates, acquaintances, co-workers, and strangers.  In most rapes, the rapist is known to the victim and often trusted.  Such situations are called Acquaintance Rape.  While the risk of rape may always exist, there are strategies that you can use to minimize the risk.

• Limit your alcohol/drug consumption.  Most acquaintance rapes occur when one or both parties are intoxicated or high.

• Don't go on "first dates" alone.  Arrange to be with other people until you are able to establish limits and learn more about your date.

• Don't accept a ride from someone you have just met, perhaps at a party - no matter how pleasant he/she may seem.

• Be able to get yourself home; do not rely on others to "take care" of you.

• Trust your instincts when you are fearful (listen the the little voice inside you and act on it).

• Be aware of controlling behavior in a date or a relationship.  Most rape survivors recall feeling "uncomfortable" about some of their partner's behaviors.

• Define for yourself your sexual limits.  The first step is to define your limits clearly to yourself and then to communicate those limits to your partner.

• Listen to your partner and respect their limits.  If you are not sure, stop and check it out.

• Avoid walking alone.  Walk with friends, in groups, or with crowds, especially after dark.

• When it is necessary to walk on campus after dark, remember you can arrange for an escort to meet you by calling University Police at 831-5500.

• Be aware of your surroundings and walk in well-lit areas when possible.

• Keeps doors and windows locked at all times, even when you are home.

• Know who is at the door before you open it.

• Never prop doors open when they have been secured.

Remember:  If your prevention strategies do not work, it is not your fault that you are raped.  At any point when you are in a vulnerable situation, your partner has a range of choices.  If he or she chooses to rape, the choice is 100% his or her responsibility.  If you become a victim, seek medical attention; help from friends, RAs, RDs, a counselor, a rape crisis center, or the police.

How to Help a Friend

• Believe what you are being told.

• Don't pass judgment.  Don't comment on what could have been done differently.

• Be supportive of decisions made by the survivor.  Don't try to make decisions for her/him.

• Be prepared to listen.

• Seek counseling or support for yourself.

The Fact is...

• One in six women will be a victim of rape or attempted rape while enrolled as an undergraduate.

• 80% of rapes occur off campus.

• Rapists cause rapes.

• 84% of survivors are acquainted with their assailant.

• 75% of men and 55% of women involved in campus rapes had been drinking or taking drugs prior to the assault.

For information on "Date Rape Drugs", please visit our Substance Abuse site and click on Drug Abuse.

Sexual Harassment

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual Harassment is a violation of a person's civil and constitutional rights.  Sexual harassment can be physical, verbal, or non-verbal, including unwanted touching, comments about a person's body or offensive gestures.  Most sexual harassment falls into one of the categories below:

Gender Harassment: Includes put-downs, sexual questions, remarks, gestures, looks, insults, offensive graffiti, or jokes about sex or gender.

Seductive Behavior: Unwanted or offensive sexual advances

Sexual Bribery: Solicitation of sexual activity or behavior by promising a reward (promotion, better grades) for the activity

Sexual Coercion: Pressure for sexual activity or behavior by threats (withholding promotion, lower grades)

Sexual Imposition: Includes unwanted touching such as patting, pinching, or "accidentally" brushing up against another person's body.

How Do I Know if it's Sexual Harassment?

If you feel uncomfortable or threatened as a result of the action, it's probably harassment, regardless of the intent of the harasser.  Ways you can recognize sexual harassment:

• Sexual harassment is unwelcome.  You feel uncomfortable with this type of attention.

• Sexual harassment leaves you feeling powerless.  You fear you may risk your job by protesting the advances.

• Sexual Harassment interferes with productivity.  You can't concentrate on your work, or you find yourself neglecting tasks while trying to avoid contact with a harasser.

What Can I do to Stop Sexual Harassment?

If you feel you are a victim of sexual harassment, try these steps to stop the harassment and to aid you if legal action becomes necessary.

• Be assertive

• Check with others

• Keep a diary

• Share this information

• Keep documentation of job evaluations

• Find an advocate

If it continues...

• File a complaint

• Seek a new job

• Take legal action

(Reference: "Sexual Harassment: How to Cope," Virginians Aligned Against Sexual Assault.)