Date rape

Check it out:

11/15/11

The NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) has unveiled a new resource on dating abuse and healthy relationships!  Respect Love, Love Respect includes a website http://www.respectlove.opdv.ny.gov/ , Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/RespectLoveNYS , and an essay contest http://respectlove.opdv.ny.gov/yourpower/contest.html  being sponsored jointly by OPDV and Liz Claiborne, Inc. that includes a trip to NYC to be on national radio as a prize for the winner!  

What is rape?

The information below is from a brochure developed and published by the SUNY Oswego Division of Student Services, August 1993.

Generally speaking, rape is defined as forced sexual intercourse with any person without consent. Force may involve physical violence, coercion, or threat of harm. This includes situations where the victim is drunk, drugged, asleep, unconscious, or for any reason unable to give consent. Basically, not saying yes." Rape can be committed by a stranger, an acquaintance, a friend, a date... by anyone.

"Nothing Bad Will Ever Happen to Me"
So, Why Talk About It?

Rape is the most prevalent, serious violent crime committed on college campuses. In 1985 a survey of over 6,000 students on 32 college campuses was conducted by Ms. magazine, psychologist Mary P. Koss, and the National Institute for Mental Health. According to this nationwide survey:

• 53% of the women surveyed reported some form of sexual assault
• 1 in 4 women surveyed reported being victims of rape or attempted rape
• 84% of the women who reported being raped knew their attackers
• 57% of the rapes happened on dates

According to these statistics, date and acquaintance rape is more common than: -Alcoholism -Heart Attacks -Left-handedness

Thus, there is a high probability that YOU will, in some way, be affected by issues of RAPE before you leave college.

Rape victims rarely report:

• 42% of the victims told no one about their assaults.
• Only 5% reported their rapes to the police.
• Only 5% sought help at rape crisis centers.

Without reporting, many sexual assault victims will not receive the assistance they need, assailants will not be brought to justice, and the number of campus rapes will continue to escalate.

Many rapes follow a similar pattern...

College students are more vulnerable to rape than any other age group. The developmental tasks associated with entering college tend to put college students at risk. Alcohol consumption only serves to accentuate these risks...

Acquaintance rapes are likely to occur in off-campus apartments, fraternity houses and residence hall rooms. Frequently, the students involved have been drinking heavily or using other drugs... According to the Ms. report:

• About 75% of the men and at least 55% of the women involved in acquaintance rapes had been drinking or using illegal drugs just before the attack.

At SUNY Oswego...

A random sample of 865 students were surveyed regarding their use of alcohol and related behaviors in spring 1993. According to these anonymous self-reports, a significant number of SUNY Oswego students had been taken advantage of sexually while under the influence of alcohol:

• 17% of women taken advantage of while under the influence
• 10% of men taken advantage of while under the influence

These statistics were taken from a GENERAL population and DO NOT include cases of unwanted sexual contact where there was no alcohol involved.

Some things you should know...

*This chart constitutes a brief synopsis of Article 130 of the New York State Penal Law.

Something else you should know...

College Judicial System

The Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct (found in the Student Handbook) details expectations for behavior which are intended to protect the well-being of all members of the college community and support the institution's educational objectives. In referring to Section 43.D. of the code, it is clear that:

Imposition of sexual contact upon, or physical exposure to, another individual without consent is strictly prohibited by the college.

• Students found in violation of this section of the code may be subject to suspension or expulsion from the college.
• Where a violation of college policy is also a violation of law, the student is subject to both legal prosecution and college disciplinary action.

So... play it safe

• Know your sexual desires and limits. Communicate your limits clearly and early. If you are not sure, STOP and talk about it.
• Be aware of your nonverbal messages, acknowledging the possibility of misunderstandings.
• Pay attention to what is happening around you, and avoid vulnerable situations.
• Trust your intuition and attend to uncomfortable feelings in regard to another individual.
• Remember that a "no" to sex does not mean a rejection of the person.
• Accept that "no" means "no." If you think that a "no" means "maybe," perhaps the physical intimacy is not in your best interest.
• Do not assume anything. Dressing in a sexy manner and flirtation is not an invitation for sexual intercourse.
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol. Alcohol and other drugs interfere with clear thinking and communication... and can kill your intuition.

And remember, whether you are male or female...

Assistance is available.

*Shame *Self-Blame *Fear *Anxiety *Anger
*Sleep Disturbances *Physical Injury *Guilt
*Betrayal *Suicidal Ideation *Mood Swings

Beyond the physical injury associated with rape and sexual victimization, the emotional turmoil can be overwhelming for both the victim and those who care about the victim. This is true whether or not the experience is identified as a sexual assault. It is very important for you to realize that should you or someone close to you be affected by sexual assault, help is available. You do not have to go through this experience alone:

• Emotional support:
  SUNY Oswego Counseling Center 315.312.4416
  Abuse & Assault Hotline (SAF) 315.342.1600
• Advocacy:
  CARE/SAF (24-Hour Hotline) 315.342.1600
  SUNY Oswego Women's Center 315.312.2967
• Medical Assistance:
  SUNY Oswego Health Center 315.312.4100
  Oswego Hospital Emergency Room 315.349.5522
• Law Enforcement:
  NYS University Police at Oswego 315.312.5555
  Oswego City Police 315.343.1212
  Oswego County Sheriff's Dept. 315.343.5490
  New York State Police 315.593.1223
• Student Conduct (Campus Judicial): 315.312.2240

We can help.

NYS University Police
Pathfinder Hall
SUNY Oswego
Oswego, NY 13126
Police: 315.312.5555
Fax: 315.312.2155
police@oswego.edu