Sexual Assault Prevention

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• Sexual Assault Prevention
• Online Training Module
• HB 2639 RISK MANAGEMENTEDUCATION PROGRAM

Program Safety Education Services Office of the
Dean of Students Division of Student Affairs
The University of Texas at Austin
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Objectives

• To understand the parameters of what constitutes
  sexual assault and how this relates to state law
  and University policy.
• To understand the risks and detrimental effects
  of sexual assault as they relate to you
  individually and to your organization.
• To be able to confront the most common myths
  related to sexual assault and consent.
• To learn how to best respond to and support
  survivors of sexual assault.
• To understand the difference between risk
  reduction and prevention.
• To learn how to take proactive steps to reduce
  your risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault.
• To become aware of available campus and community
  resources.

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• Sexual Assault Prevention
• Online Training Module
• SECTION 1
• HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO YOU?

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SEXUAL ASSAULT
abuse
rape
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Texas State Law
State Law Section 22.011 of the Texas Penal
Code identifies sexual assault as a 2nd degree
felony in the State of Texas
(Texas Penal Code available online at
http//www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm
/PE.22.htm22.011)
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University Policy
University policy prohibits students from
committing acts of sexual assault (see the
General Information Catalog, Appendix H
Prohibition of Sexual Assault, 2009/4). In
addition to incidents that occur on the
University campus, the University may take
disciplinary action in response to incidents that
take place during official functions of the
University, or those sponsored by registered
student organizations, or incidents that have a
substantial connection to the interests of the
University of Texas at Austin regardless of the
location in which they occur. (http//registrar.
utexas.edu/catalogs/gi08-09/app/gi08.apph.html)
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The scope of the problem

• If we assume 25,000 female students at UT
  Austin, we can assume 875 attempted or completed
  rapes against female students each year. (The
  Sexual Victimization of College Women, 2000)
  
• While stranger perpetrated sexual assaults do
  occur, the vast majority of the time, offenders
  are known to the victim. (i.e. current or former
  intimate partner, friend, acquaintance,
  co-worker) (The Sexual Victimization of College
  Women, 2000)
• One in 20 men and 1 in 5 women in Texas are rape
  survivors. (A Health Survey of Texans A Focus on
  Sexual Assault, 2003)
• Alcohol is frequently a factor when a sexual
  assault occurs. (A Health Survey of Texans A
  Focus on Sexual Assault, 2003)

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How this impacts student organizations

• Knowing the facts about sexual assault is
  important for student organization leaders
  because
• It will help you to create student events that
  foster an environment of mutual respect and
  reduce the risk for a sexual assault happening as
  a result of the event.
• As a student leader on campus, other students
  may come to you seeking support and/or guidance
  related to their own experience(s) of sexual
  assault.

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Prevention vs. Risk Reduction
It is important to note that the only people who
can truly prevent sexual assault are those who
choose to perpetrate it. A student can follow
all of the recommendations for risk reduction and
still become a victim of sexual assault.
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• Sexual Assault Prevention
• Online Training Module
• SECTION 2
• ISSUES OF CONSENT

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Definition of Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault occurs when a sexual act is
directed against another person when that person
has not consented, is incapable of consenting, or
when the act is forced.
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Consent is

• Based on choice
• Active, not passive
• Only possible when there is equal power
• Giving ones permission by actively saying, Yes
• Negotiable at each stage of intimacy saying yes
  to one sexual act does not indicate yes to
  everything

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Consent is not

• Giving in because of fear or coercion
• Based on manipulation, deception, or lying
• Possible when one person has more power
• Clear when alcohol and drugs are
  involvedSubstances impair our ability to consent
  as well as our ability to read anothers
  signals/body language

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Predatory Drugs

• Alcohol is the most frequently used drug to
  facilitate sexual assault.
• Other drugs include GHB, Rohipnol, and Ketamine
  which often affect memory and the ability to
  control ones limbs/body.
• These can be easily slipped into someones
  individual drink or into a group drink that is
  not being monitored.
• The use of these drugs to facilitate sex with
  someone without their knowledge constitutes
  sexual assault.

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• Sexual Assault Prevention
• Online Training Module
• SECTION 3
• FACT OR FICTION?
• CONFRONTING THE MYTHS AROUND SEXUAL ASSAULT

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Only women can be raped or sexually assaulted.
Myth 1

• Rape and sexual assault are about power and
  control and not about the biological sex or
  gender identity of the victim or offender.
• Whether identifying as male, female, or
  transgender, all can become victims.

Fact 1
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If a man sexually assaults another man then both
men must be gay.
Myth 2

• Sexual assault is about power and control and not
  about sexual desire or attraction. In the above
  scenario, the offenders and victims sexual
  orientations are unknown and exist apart from
  each other and the sexual assault.
• Men are most often the offenders of sexual
  assault, regardless of the gender identity of the
  victim. The vast majority of these male
  offenders are heterosexually identified.

Fact 2
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Victims or survivors of sexual assault are often
to blame for what happened to them because of
what they were wearing or how much they had to
drink.
Myth 3

• Regardless of what a person is wearing, how much
  they have to drink, or who they are hanging out
  with, no one asks or deserves to be sexually
  assaulted.
• Remember, the person who is responsible for the
  sexual assault is the person who commits it.

Fact 3
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When someone says no in response to a sexual
advance, they are just playing hard to get.
Myth 4

• If someone says, no, to a sexual advance, then
  that no needs to be respected.
• Continuing to push, coerce, or manipulate someone
  into doing something sexual that they dont want
  to do constitutes sexual assault.

Fact 4
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If the word, no, is not actually voiced during
a sexual act, then the act is consensual.
Myth 5

• The absence of a no does not mean that an act
  is consensual.
• Remember, consent can only be achieved when
• Both participants are fully conscious
• Both participants are equally free to act
• Both parties have clearly communicated their
  willingness/permission and
• Both parties are positive and sincere in their
  desires.

Fact 5
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• Reducing Risk and Responding to Survivors of
  Sexual Assault
• Online Training Module
• SECTION 4
• THE EFFECTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

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For the victim/survivor

• Difficulty concentrating
• Flashbacks
• Withdrawal from support systems

• Numbness
• Uncontrollable crying
• Anger and rage
• Guilt and shame

Short-term

• Alcoholism/Drug addiction
• Eating Disorder
• Chronic physical pain (i.e. migraines,
  fibromyalgia, etc.)

Long-term
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For the offender

• Guilt and shame
• Possible investigation by Student Judicial
  Services and disciplinary action by UT
• Possible investigation by law enforcement, court
  trial, and imprisonment

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For the student organization

• If the victim and/or offender are in your student
  organization
• Decreased ability to be active participants in
  the organization due to the time, energy, and
  financial strain of managing the after-effects of
  sexual assault
• Harmful intra-organization splitting along
  loyalty lines (especially if both parties are in
  organization)
• Tarnished reputation of your organization if the
  sexual assault happened as a result of one of
  your sponsored events

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• Sexual Assault Prevention
• Online Training Module
• SECTION 5 REDUCING YOUR RISK

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Reducing Your Organizations Risk

• Have someone designated to monitor and control
  the distribution of alcohol.
• Establish an organizational culture that does not
  tolerate sexually predatory behaviors and holds
  the offenders of such behavior accountable with
  tangible consequences.
• Intervene when you observe coercive or
  questionable behavior.

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Reducing Your Organizations Risk

• Attend functions, parties, etc. with at least one
  other person that you trust. Arrive together and
  leave together.
• Maintain control of your particular drink. If
  you set it down or it is out of your control for
  any period of time, throw it out and get a new
  one.
• Have resources available for the ongoing
  education of your organizations members.
• Begin and continue dialogues about these issues.

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• Sexual Assault Prevention
• Online Training Module

SECTION 6 SUPPORTING A SURVIVOR
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Key Aspects of Support

• Listen
• Believe
• Validate
• Offer Options
• Focus on empowering the victim/survivor rather
  than making choices for them
• Know available resources

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On-Campus Resources

• Voices Against Violence, a program of the
  Counseling Mental Health Center
• 5th Floor, SSB
• www.cmhc.utexas.edu/vav.html
• Advocacy/Counseling [phone]
• Schedule an appointment. Victims/ survivors of
  sexual assault, relationship violence, and/or
  stalking can ask specifically for a VAV slot.
• Telephone Counseling [phone]
• Available 24/7, Confidential and anonymous

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On-Campus Resources

• University Health Services (UHS), SSB
• http//healthyhorns.utexas.edu/
• Medical Appointments [phone]
• Nurse Advice Line (512) 475-NURS (475-6877)
• UT Police Department
• http//www.utexas.edu/police/
• A student who experiences any form of sexual
  assault is encouraged to immediately call the
  police (911)

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On-Campus Resources

• Student Judicial Services, 4th floor SSB
• http//deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/
• [phone]
• To file a complaint against another student.
• Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL)
• [phone]
• Offers a centralized resource 24/7 for anyone who
  is not sure how to help someone he or she is
  concerned about

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Off-Campus Resources

• Austin Police Department
• http//www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/
• Emergencies 911
• Victim Services
• Sexual Assault [phone]
• Relationship Violence Stalking [phone]

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Off-Campus Resources

• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
• St. Davids Emergency Room
• 919 E. 32nd St.
• To get a forensic medical exam that will collect
  evidence for a possible legal case regarding
  sexual assault
• No cost to the survivor
• Currently, the survivor needs to file a police
  report in order to get a SANE exam

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Off-Campus Resources

• SafePlace
• www.safeplace.org
• 24/7 Hotline (512) 267-SAFE (267-7233)
• Austins local safe shelter for survivors of
  relationship violence and crisis center for
  survivors of rape and sexual assault.
• Offers 24/7 hotline, crisis counseling,
  information, support, and safe shelter (if needed)

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Summary

• Sexual assault is an umbrella legal term that
  describes a variety of sexual violations,
  including (but not limited to) rape, attempted
  rape, and sexual abuse.
• Sexual assault occurs when a sexual act is
  directed against another person when that person
  has not consented, is incapable of consenting, or
  when the act is forced.
• Rape and sexual assault are about power and
  control and not about the biological sex or
  gender identity of the victim or offender.
• Sexual assault is a felony crime in the state of
  Texas. University policy prohibits students from
  committing acts of sexual assault.

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Summary

• Remember, consent can only be achieved when
• Both participants are fully conscious
• Both participants are equally free to act
• Both parties have clearly communicated their
  willingness/permission and
• Both parties are positive and sincere in their
  desires.
• The risk reduction strategies your organization
  should take include
• Attending functions, parties, etc. with at least
  one other person that you trust. Arrive together
  and leave together
• Establishing an organizational culture that does
  not tolerate sexually predatory behaviors and
• Intervening when you observe coercive or
  questionable behavior.

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Summary

• The best way to support a survivor who discloses
  their experience to you is to actively listen,
  believe what they say, validate their feelings,
  and offer them options in terms of follow-up care
  and support.
• Voices Against Violence (VAV) counselor/advocates
  can help survivors with better understanding
  their options regarding follow-up medical care,
  legal and administrative measures, and can also
  offer assistance with accommodations to help ease
  the academic load following a sexual assault.
• A survivors options in terms of legal and
  administrative measures include calling the
  police to make a report and/or contacting Student
  Judicial Services (SJS) to file a formal
  complaint against the alleged offender if that
  person is a UT student.

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Additional Questions

• Discuss with your organizations leadership
• Faculty/staff advisor
• Risk Management Officer (or other officer)
• Alumni members/organization
• Contact Program Safety Education Services (PSES)
  in the Office of the Dean of Students
• Phone [phone]
• Email SafetyEducation_at_austin.utexas.edu
• Web site http//deanofstudents.utexas.edu/pses/

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HB 2639 Risk Management Education Program
Planning Committee

• A special thanks to the student, faculty, and
  staff members of the committee
• Adrienne Mackenzie, Office of the Dean of
  Students (SALD)
• Bobby Jenkins, U T Student Organization Safety
  Board
• Chad McKenzie, Division of Recreational Sports
• Christa Lopez, Office of the Dean of Students
  (SES)
• David Cronk, Office of Campus Safety and Security
• Diane Ginsburg, College of Pharmacy
• Erik Malmberg, Office of the Dean of Students
  (PSES)
• Heather Davies, Counseling and Mental Health
  Center
• Kathy Chung, Office of the Dean of Students
  (PSES)
• Kevin Prince, University Health Services
• Linda Álvarez Alcántara, Office of the Dean of
  Students (SJS)
• Marilyn Russell, Office of the Dean of Students
  (GLIE)
• Manuel Gonzalez, Office of the Dean of Students
  (PSES)

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Review Your Knowledge

• This concludes our presentation on reducing risk
  and responding to survivors of sexual assault.
• Following are ten questions to review your
  knowledge of the information presented in the
  module.
• You must answer 8 of the 10 questions correctly
  to receive credit for completing this module.
• Just click the Go To Review button.