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En EspañolCollege Health:
Sexual Assault/Rape
Remember
- Most rapes are committed by someone the victim knows or is dating.
- Date-rape drugs are usually dropped into a drink when it is left unattended.
- Always tell someone where you are going and with whom.
- If you are sexually assaulted or raped, get medical attention right away.
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Sexual assault and rape can happen at college. You may have heard about date-rape drugs being used on college campuses. These are drugs that are dropped into your drink at a bar or at a party when you leave your drink unattended, or when you are distracted. Believe it or not, more than half of all rapes are committed by someone that the victim knows or goes on a date with. So when you are getting to know a person, be careful where you go and what situations you put yourself in.
To protect yourself against date-rape drugs:
- Don’t drink something that you didn't open yourself
- Don’t share drinks with anyone
- Don’t drink from a punch bowl
- Don’t leave your drink some place and come back and drink from it later
To protect yourself from being sexually assaulted:
- Walk in well-lit areas with a friend if you are out at night
- Use the campus security escorts available at your college. Most colleges will provide an escort if you have to walk back to your dorm late at night.
- Make sure that someone such as a friend or roommate knows where you are when you go out.
How do I know if I was raped or sexually assaulted?
The definition of rape is any penetration into your vagina by a finger, a penis, or other object that happens without your consent. It is also illegal if someone touches your vagina with his or her mouth or penetrates you anally without your consent. Keeping silent does not equal consent. Any of these things which are done without your consent are wrong and illegal!
What should I do if I am sexually assaulted or raped?
It's important to get medical help right away. If you are sexually assaulted or raped, you should go right to the student health center or nearest hospital emergency or urgent care unit to get checked out. Someone there will help you contact your campus or town police if you haven't already called them. Reporting a sexual assault or rape is important so that the person that did this to you will be caught and won't be able to do it to someone else. You shouldn't shower or change your clothes before you are examined, so that no evidence is destroyed.
Reporting a Rape or Assault
Many women have a hard time reporting rape or sexual assault because they are embarrasse, in denial of what happened, just want to forget what happened, or think they caused it. It's very important to talk about all these feelings and everything that you went through with an experienced counselor. Ask who you can talk to at your college counseling center or student health center. If you need something that your college doesn't offer, ask for some names and contact information for counselors or groups in the community. Some colleges also offer group sessions for victims of rape and sexual assault. Also, decide who in your family or among your friends can be supportive, and talk with them as well.
If you want to speak with someone confidentially, over the phone, there are hotlines listed in the resource section. There are resources are available and people who can help you get through this traumatic experience. Always remember that the rape or assault was NOT your fault.
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Updated: 5/6/2010
