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Sexual Assault

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Sexual Harassment and Assault Resources & Education (SHARE) | 203.432.6653

Questions and Information

How can you protect yourself against Date Rape Drugs?

Don’t put your drink down – If your drink is out of sight, even for a moment, don’t finish it. Get yourself a new one.

Don’t accept an open drink from anyone. If you order a drink in a bar or at a party, make sure you watch the bartender open the bottle or mix your drink.

Avoid punch bowls. With Roofies and GHB in circulation, you can’t be sure what’s in the punch, so think twice before you partake.

Make a pact with your friends to watch out for each other, and spread the word about these “date-rape-drugs” to everyone you know.

If you think you have been given a date rape drug call the Sexual Harassment & Assault Resource & Education crisis number 203 432-6653 or Acute Care (203) 432-0123. It is important to be tested as soon as possible.

Should you disclose the sexual assault or take legal action?

While it often makes sense to call the sexual assault services line and talk to someone about what happened and make decisions on how to proceed, the decision to do so is very personal and entirely up to you. It is important that you do not feel pressured to do something you are not willing or ready to do.

From a safety and investigatory standpoint, the sooner a sexual assault is reported, the better; even so, reports that are given in the weeks or months following an assault can be helpful as well.

Survivors of sexual assault choose to report the assault for many reasons:

  • They may want to regain a sense of control over the situation, and may want to work against the “blame the victim” tendency that sometimes presents itself in these situations.
  • They may want the assailant to be punished for the crime.
  • They may be concerned that the assailant will assault them or someone else again.

You can report the sexual assault to:

  • the counselor on the sexual assault service’s line
  • the Yale Campus Police
  • the Dean of Student Affairs in the Yale College Dean’s Office
  • Academic Deans
  • Residential College Deans or Masters
  • Professor or trusted administrator
  • Graduate and professional schools link

Who is likely to be a victim of sexual assault?

  • Although women are the most frequent target of sexual assaults and rape, men, women, and children of all ages are potential rape and sexual assault victims.
  • Sexual assault can happen to both men and women at any point in their lives.
  • Sexual assault knows no barriers in regard to race, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age and ability.
  • Although sexual assaults can happen at any time in one’s life, the first semester of freshman year for college women is a highly vulnerable time. This is a time when the student may be on her own for the first time, experimenting with new freedoms and possibly alcohol. New friendships and support systems may not be established yet.
  • Alcohol consumption and the use of date rape drugs often play an important role in the likelihood of being sexually assaulted - 55% of female students and 75% of male students involved in acquaintance rape admit to having been drinking or using drugs when the incident occurred.

How can someone minimize their risk of being sexual assaulted?

There are a variety of precautions that may be taken to minimize one’s risk of falling victim to a sexual assault.

  • It is estimated that approximately 80% of rapists are known to their victims, making acquaintance or date rape the most common type of sexual assault.
  • Don’t allow yourself to be alone with someone you do not know or trust.
  • If you are in trouble or feel you are in danger, don’t be afraid to attract help in any way you can. Scream, yell or run away to safety.
  • If you choose to drink alcohol, avoid getting intoxicated and be alert to the possibility of someone putting a date rape drug in your drink.
  • Be informed about the effects of Alcohol & Date Rape Drugs - GHB and Rohypnol or “roofies”.

Some important alcohol facts from the American Council for Drug Education

(www.factsontap.org):

  • 55% of female students and 75% of male students involved in acquaintance rape admit to having been drinking or using drugs when the incident occurred.
  • 60% of college women who are infected with STI’s, including genital herpes and AIDS, report that they were under the influence of alcohol at the time they had intercourse with the infected person.
  • Female college freshman are at the highest risk for sexual assault between the first day of school and Thanksgiving break. Many are away from home for the first time and unaccustomed to making personal decisions. Some may be experimenting with alcohol for the first time. For many, new friends and support systems may not yet be established, leaving them more alone than usual. Some may be targeted as vulnerable by upper classmen.
  • Alcohol: Alcohol lowers inhibitions and interferes with decision-making, which makes for some potentially dangerous sexual situations. At best, deciding to have sex with someone while you are under the influence can put you in an embarrassing predicament the next morning. At worst, it can cause you to be the victim of sexual assault or leave you with a serious condition such as AIDS or other sexually transmitted illnesses (STI’s).
  • GHB (gamma hydroxyl butyrate) also know as liquid ecstasy, and Rohypnol or “roofies” are depressants that can cause dizziness, disorientation, loss of inhibition, memory blackouts, and loss of consciousness when mixed with alcohol. Both are odorless, colorless, and tasteless, so you may not even realize it if someone slips one of these substances into your drink. Because they may cause you to pass out, ingesting them may put you at risk for sexual assault.

How can you protect yourself against date rape drugs?

Don’t put your drink down – If your drink is out of sight, even for a moment, don’t finish it. Get yourself a new one.

Don’t accept an open drink from anyone. If you order a drink in a bar or at a party, make sure you watch the bartender open the bottle or mix your drink.

Avoid punch bowls. With “roofies” and GHB in circulation, you can’t be sure what’s in the punch, so think twice before you partake.

Make a pact with your friends to watch out for each other, and spread the word about these “date-rape-drugs” to everyone you know.

If you think you have been given a date rape drug call the Sexual Harassment & Assault Resource & Education Crisis number:

203 432-6653

or Acute Care (203) 432-0123. It is important to be tested as soon as possible and someone will help you get to the Yale New Haven Emergency Department.

Stranger Rape: There are a variety of precautions that may be taken to minimize one’s risk of falling victim to sexual assaults by strangers. Various reputable organizations and legal agencies have provided suggestions to this end, including the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement, The U.S. Department of Health & Human Resources, The Canadian Women’s Sexual Assault Centre, Rapecrisis.org.uk, and Amnesty International. The advice given is extensive, and it varies in specifics, but they all tend to include the following precautions:

  • Avoid being alone in public, particularly at night, or in dark and/or isolated places.
  • Maintain situational awareness. Be aware of other people around you.
  • Keep personal information (such as name, address, telephone number) on your person and not on key chains.
  • Keep your vehicle, home, and room locked.
  • Avoid isolated places such as deserted parking lots or stairwells in office buildings as much as possible.
  • If a motorist asks for assistance, keep a distance from the vehicle.
  • Be alert. Never sleep in public – including buses, cabs and benches. Have car, house, and room keys ready before you reach your door.
  • Walk facing traffic.
  • Trust your instincts – if you feel you are being followed, if you have suspicions about a minor auto accident, or being stopped by a police official, keep driving to a well lit, populated area before stopping.
  • If you choose to carry any item for self-protection, give careful consideration to your ability and willingness to use it. Remember there is always the chance that it could be taken away and used against you.

How does someone recover from a sexual assault?

After a person has been sexually assaulted, it is normal to experience a wide range of feelings and reactions. There is no right or wrong way to react. Everyone copes in his or her own way. Some people have very strong overt reactions after being sexually assaulted and others appear outwardly calm. Some feelings and reactions may be experienced directly after the assault while other feelings and reactions may occur days, weeks, months or even years after. These feelings and reactions are likely to interfere with how one copes and how one interacts in the world. Understanding that these feelings are normal and experienced by others who have been sexually assaulted may help some people deal with their feelings and to see them as less frightening.

  • It is important to care for yourself after a sexual assault. Eat well and get exercise to help keep your strength up.
  • Try to do the things you have always enjoyed.
  • Don’t look for simple answers to explain what happened.
  • Know your rights and how to get the help you need.
  • Say positive things to yourself to help restore your sense of well being. Use phrases like “I’m strong,” “I did not deserve this,” “I am taking back my personal power,” “I am healing each and every day.”
  • Be patient with yourself. It takes time to move on. Healing is physical, emotional and psychological.
  • Believe in yourself and know that you will get through this.
  • Consider seeking professional help. It is often helpful to be able to express your thoughts and feelings in a neutral setting where you do not feel that you have to protect the listener or be concerned about how the other person is feeling.
  • Some survivors find it helpful to tell a trusted friend.
  • It is more important to focus on what you are feeling than on the actual details of the assault.
  • It is not necessary to talk about the incident all at once. Take your time and do so in a way that you feel comfortable.
  • If talking is difficult try drawing or writing things down.
  • Some people find it useful to keep a journal, or write stories or poems.

What are some important facts that should be known concerning rape and sexual assault?

  • Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted. (Calculation based on National Crime Victimization Survey ( NCVS), U.S. Department of Justice, 2003.)
  • 1 in 4 college women will be sexually assaulted by the time they graduate. (Fisher, Cullen, and Turner. Sexual Victimization of College Women, U.S. Department of Justice, Dec. 2000.)
  • Of rapes of college students, 59% of completed rapes occurred in the victim’s residence, 31% occurred in other living quarters, and 10% took place in a fraternity house. (Sexual Victimization of College Women, U.S. Department of Justice, 2000.)
  • Less than 5% of completed and attempted rapes of college students were reported to law enforcement officials. (Sexual Victimization of College Women, U.S. Department of Justice, 2000.)
  • Approximately 70% of female rape victims and 74% of male rape victims know their perpetrator. (National Crime Victimization Survey, U.S. Department of Justice, 2003.)*
  • In 9 out of 10 cases, the offender is known to the victim, usually as a classmate, friend, or acquaintance. (Fisher, Cullen & Turner: The Sexual Victimization of College Women. Washington D.D.: National Institute of Justice and Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, 2000.)*
  • In studies comparing rates of student victimization and persons of similar ages in the general population, students were victims of violence overall at rates lower than those of non students except for rape and sexual assaults. The prevalence of sexual assaults and rapes on campuses matched the national average. (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2006.)
  • One in every 10 rape victims is male. (National Crime Victimization Survey, U.S. Department of Justice, 2003.)
  • About 44% of rape victims are under the age of 18. (Sex Offences and Offenders. U.S. Department of Justice, 1997.)
  • During the academic year, 2.8% of college women will experience a completed and/or attempted rape. (Sexual Victimization of College Women. U.S. Department of Justice, 2003.)
  • More than half of raped college women tell no one of their victimization. (Koss, Woodruff, & Koss, 1990.)
  • 1 out of every 5 rape victims attempts suicide. (U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and the FBI.)
  • 6.5% of all reported rapes end in the murder of the woman (U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and the FBI).
  • 1 in 6 boys are sexually assaulted by the age of 18. (U.S. Department of Justice)

* Statistics vary depending on the measures and the reporting source.

How would I help a friend who has been sexually assaulted?

If your friend has been sexually assaulted, he or she may experience a wide range of reactions such as:

shock

depression

embarrassment

disbelief

anger

mood swings

fear

denial

irritability

restlessness

apathy

disturbed sleep

changes in eating habits

    

Realize that coping with sexual assault is a long-term process. For some, the emotional impact of sexual assault can be immediate and short term. For others, the effects can be long lasting.

Support: Of all the things you can do at this time, perhaps the most important is to be yourself and to try to be the best friend you can. Your friend is feeling a lot of emotions right now, probably including loneliness and isolation. It is especially important for you to be supportive.

Safety: It is important to ensure that your friend is not going to do something to hurt himself or herself or somebody else. If you are worried about anyone’s safety, you must get help even if your friend does not want you to tell anyone. Call the Sexual Harassment & Assault Resource & Education Crisis Center 203 432-6653 or Acute Care 203 432-0123.

Believe your friend. Statistics show that there is no reason to think that he or she is lying about having been sexually assaulted. More than almost anything, your friend needs your trust. Additionally, be sure not to blame your friend. Don’t ask “why” questions such as: “Why did you…?” or “Why didn’t you …?” “Why” questions tend to make people feel guilty about what happened. It is not their fault. No one asks to be sexually assaulted.

Let your friend make the decisions. In having been sexually assaulted, your friend has had her or his power taken away. Throughout the healing process, you must let your friend make his or her own decisions. She or he may want to be taken care of, but it is important that you only present options and give your friend the power to make his or her own decisions. Be supportive of the decisions he or she makes.

Don’t define the experience. As part of helping and giving the survivor the ability to make his or her own decisions, it is important that he or she be allowed to define the experience. Do not label the experience “rape” or “assault” before the survivor is willing and able to do so. Do not assume the person who assaulted your friend is of the opposite sex. Same-sex sexual assault is seldom talked about but it is just as painful, whether your friend identifies as gay, straight, bisexual or questioning.

Show you want to listen. Your friend may confide in you 10 minutes or ten years after the assault. At that time, you only need to listen. Remember that someone has violated your friend’s sense of trust, so one of the most important things you can do is to respect your friend’s need to confide in someone.

Don’t search for things your friend could have done differently. No one asks to be sexually assaulted. Avoid blaming questions and judgmental phrases such as “why didn’t you scream?” or “If I could get my hands on that disgusting….” or “I would have…!”

Don’t talk about your own feelings. This is a time to focus on your friend. Guidance and support is available at the Sexual Harassment and Assault Resource and Education Center at 203 432-6653 and ongoing counseling is available at 203 432-0290.

Respect your friend’s privacy. Whatever he or she tells you is his or her experience and his or her information to share. Telling someone else what your friend has told you is a breach of trust. If you feel the need to talk, make an appointment with a counselor for yourself.

Encourage your friend to get medical attention as soon as possible. Your friend can get medical attention at Yale Health at 55 Lock Street, any time day or night, 7 days a week. Call Acute Care (203 432-0123). A counselor can meet him or her there and help with the decision on how to proceed, if they want an evidence collection exam, and/or to make a police report. He or she may have injuries or need special tests. Emergency contraception is also available when needed.

Encourage your friend to seek counseling or support. Your friend can talk to someone at the Sexual Harassment & Assault Resource & Education center at 203 432-6653. The Mental Health and Counseling Center (203 432-0290) provides individual therapy and support groups for survivors.

Encourage your friend to get in touch with his or her feelings. It is OK if your friend feels the need to protest loudly.

Assure your friend that when a person does not stop when they are told “no” or there is no response, that person is wrong, not the survivor.

Protect yourself. It is very difficult to hear stories about sexual violence. Throughout the process, remember to take care of yourself, to find someone to talk to, and to get counseling if necessary. All of the resources available to survivors are available to friends as well.