Health Services
WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT ?
Sexual assault is any act of sexual contact or penetration performed by one person on another without freely given mutual consent. Sexual assault includes penetration of any body orifice (vaginal, oral, anal) with any body part or object. The depth of penetration is not relevant.
Sexual assault may also include intentional touching of intimate body parts for the purpose of degrading or humiliating the victim or sexually arousing or gratifying the perpetrator.
Sexual assault can happen to anyone of any age, gender, race, sexual orientation, size, weight, strength, IQ, or socioeconomic status.
In the college population, 85% of sexual assaults are committed by a perpetrator who
is known to the victim. They may have been an acquaintance, current or ex-partner, friend,
friend of a friend, or classmate. This is often referred to as
“acquaintance rape” or “date rape” although it is not a less
serious or less traumatic offense than an assault committed by a stranger.
Almost all assaults are facilitated by alcohol, although other drugs may be used as well.
There is rarely a weapon or injury. The assault frequently happens in a place the victim
thought was safe; often the victim’s or the perpetrator’s residence.
The perpetrator may apologize, or blame the victim.
In any case, responsibility lies with the person performing the act, not with the victim.
The person who assaulted you temporarily took control. You may be feeling overwhelmed. We want you to know that all decisions from this point forward are yours to make. We will offer you options and support to get through this incident, but no one will make decisions for you or against your will.