The Counseling and Resource Center
When Someone You Know...Is affected by sexual assault. (Including date rape)
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What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is any form of unwanted sexual contact obtained without consent and/or obtained through the use of force, threat of force, intimidation, or coercion. This includes date rape.
Sexual assault is devastating for victims, profoundly affecting their lives. For students, this can mean impacting the ability to do well academically or to achieve academic goals.
Myths about Sexual AssaultMyth #1: Most rapists are strangers to the victim
FACT: About 4 out of 5 rapists are known to their victims
Myth #2: Men cannot be victims of sexual assault.
FACT: While women report more assaults, men can be victims of sexual assault, but are less likely to report it.
Myth #3: If a person decides to drink or use other drugs, she/he is responsible if sexually assaulted.
FACT: Making the choice to drink or drug, while not wise, does not indicate consent to be sexually assaulted.
Myth #4: Men cannot rape a woman when she resists.
FACT: Men are generally physically more powerful than women and can force a woman to have sex. Men can also overpower men.
Myth #5: Sexual assault involves only physical, and not verbal, coercion.
FACT: Threats, tone of voice, or strong insistence can be intimidating and can make someone feel as if she/he has to submit to having sex.
To Help Prevent Sexual Assault
While there is no sure-fire way to prevent an assault from occurring, there are several steps that one can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault:
- Evaluate your situation. Stay aware of your environment and the people in it.
- Don't feel as if you have to go out alone with someone you have just met.
- Monitor your actions and the actions of potential partners. Stay aware of your desires and expectations, communicate them clearly and monitor the reactions to these desires and expectations.
- On campus, walk confidently and stay aware of your surroundings.
- Notice what your gut tells you and listen to it.
- Don't hesitate to leave a situation if you have concerns; do so loudly and authoritatively.
- Stay in public areas on campus, away from parked cars, bushes, or doorways. Use the Campus Security escort service
Surviving Sexual Assault
If you have just been assaulted:
- Assure your safety--get to a place that is safe.
- Contact someone who can help you. This could be an advocate from a Sexual Assault Center, the Police, Campus Security, or a trusted friend or family member.
- Do not shower, drink or eat, douche or change your clothing. This will destroy important evidence IF you later decide to prosecute.
- As soon as you are safe, go to a hospital Emergency Room. Even if you do not think you have any medical issues as a result of the attack, it is best to have a doctor check that there are no unseen injuries, to discuss emergency contraception, etc. The hospital can sometimes collect evidence up to 72 hours after an attack, although an immediate exam is most likely to gather evidence. Both the police and the Sexual Assault Center advocate can meet you at the hospital.
- As soon as you can, write down every detail that you can remember.
- Remember, too, that sexual assault is NOT your fault.
What Should I Do If My Friend/Partner/Family Member Has Been Sexually Assaulted?
This significant person in your life needs your support. You can provide that support by:
- Validating their feelings
- Refraining from questioning their experience
- Having patience with their healing and recovery. It will take time.
- Reminding them that sexual abuse is not their fault
- Letting them know that you believe them
- Allowing them to express feelings
- Reinforcing the importance of getting medical assistance
- Supporting their decision to report or not report
- Getting support yourself
- Encouraging the survivor's creation of a strong network of support
How Can Edmonds Community College Help?
Edmonds Community College is committed to creating a safe campus environment. We provide the following to help attain this goal:
- Lectures regarding topics such as personal safety, workplace issues, and self-care are offered periodically.
- Flyers related to sexual assault and other types of violence are available at the Counseling and Resource Center. 425- 640-1358
- Routine reports of incidents affecting the safety of the campus are available at: http://security.edcc.edu/_cleryact/
- Escort to your car or bus is available from Security by calling: 425-754-0192 (day) or 425-754-0154 (night)
- Counseling services and referral to resources are available through the Counseling & Resource Center.
- Sexual assault survivors can explore action through the College/Student disciplinary procedures, when applicable, by contacting the Senior Associate Dean of Student Success and Retention at 425-640-1463.
Other Resources:
Providence Sexual Assault Center:
425.252.4800
Local Police:
911
Care Crisis Line:
425.258.4357
Snohomish Co Center for Battered Women:
425.252.2873
Sexual Assault Resource Center (King County):
1.800.825.7273
National Sexual Assault Hotline:
1.800.656.HOPE (http://www.rainn.org)
Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs:
http://www.wcsap.org/
| Care Crisis Line | |
|---|---|
| Snohomish County Care Crisis Line: | 425-258-HELP (4357) or 1-800-584-3578 |
| (24-hour telephone crisis counseling; interpreters available) | |
| King County Crisis Line: | 206-461-3222 or 1-800-244-5767 |
| Edmonds Community College upholds all state and federal non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws. | |
