Grand County Advocates Overview of Sexual Assault

What is Sexual Violence?

Sexual Violence is any unwanted or non-consensual exploitation, or act of intrusion into the physical, emotional or spiritual realms of a person's sexuality.

The definition of sexual violence is based upon a continuum of violence ranging from sexual harassment to rape and murder. It is important to understand that sexual violence may include the actual use or threat of physical force, however neither of these has to be used for sexual violence to occur. Often some type of violence is used for intimidation, persuasion or manipulation purposes.

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What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual Assault refers to an act of sexual violence perpetrated against an adult or a child by any person.

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What is Rape?

Rape refers to non-consensual sexual intrusion or penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth of the victim. The weapon can be a penis, tongue, finger, or any other object. Rape is actually a crime of power and control having nothing to do with sex.

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What is Acquaintance/Date Rape?

Any sexual violence that occurs without consent between people who know each other.

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What is Consent?

To consent means to give approval and to agree by free will.
Consent is based on choice.
It is active, not passive.
In consent, both parties must be equally free to act.
Both parties must be fully conscious and have clearly communicated their consent.
Submission under the influence of fear, intoxicants or coercion is also not consent.
Going along with someone because of wanting to fit in, feeling bad or being deceived is not consent.

If you can't say "NO" comfortably, then "YES" has no meaning. If you are unwilling to accept a "NO", then "YES" has no meaning.

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Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment is unwelcome and demeaning sexually related behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile and/or offensive work or school environment.

Sexual Harassment includes a wide range of behaviors including:

Touching, grabbing or pinching in a sexual way
Staring or leering
Spreading sexual rumors
Comments about the size of one's breasts, penis, buttocks
Name-calling (slut, whore, fag, etc.)
Obscene sexual gestures
Obscene or degrading jokes
Cartoons or pictures that are sexual and offensive
Sexual messages and graffiti
Catcalls, whistles
Bra-snapping, wedgies
Forcing a kiss on someone
Pressure for sexual favors
Sexual bribery, sexual coercion
Flashing, mooning, depantsing

The victim defines what is "unwelcome" behavior.

Each person decides for him or herself what is unwelcome and makes one feel uncomfortable. Only you know how you feel by the way someone is treating you.
Two people may feel differently about the same comment. What may be a compliment to one may feel like a put down to someone else.
The same comment can also feel welcome or unwelcome depending upon who is saying it.

Because the victim defines sexual harassment, it may not always be clear to the harasser that their behavior is unwanted. For this reason, it is very important for the victim to tell the harasser to stop and make it clear that this is harassment. If the behavior continues and the victim decides to pursue legal or administrative action, their case will be much stronger if they have said no.

Keep in mind that there are very legitimate reasons why someone may not feel free to say no (possible job loss, bad grade, further harassment, other consequences).

If it is unwanted, it is still sexual harassment even if the victim never said no.

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Four out of 5 students (81%) have experienced some form of sexual harassment during their school years (AAUW Educational Foundation).

Substance-Related Sexual Assault

The prevalence of drug-facilitated sexual assaults is on the rise nationwide. Perpetrators use drugs on potential victims in order to make it easier to accomplish a sexual assault. Over 36 drugs have been identified as being used in drug-facilitated sexual assaults The following are some of the substances being used:

Alcohol is the #1 drug used in drugged facilitated sexual assaults

Over the counter medications

Amphetamines

Barbiturates

Benzodiazepines - Rohypnol

Cocaine

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate - GHB

Gamma-butyrolactone - GBL

Marijuana

Opiates

Ketamine

Common Symptoms:

78% Unconscious
57% Amnesia
32% Drowsiness

Unfortunately, date rape drugs are currently being used in Grand County. Besides alcohol, over the counter medications are the most frequently used.

Other drugs commonly used in drug-facilitated sexual assaults are:

Rohypnol (Roofies)

Prescription medication used for sleep disorders, pre-anesthetic: used in 80 countries worldwide: not approved in the United States.

Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

Central nervous system depressant: originally used as a surgical anesthetic and in studies for narcolepsy treatment.

Often used in clubs as a party drug.

It is illegal to manufacture or distribute, however, it is not illegal to possess or use.

The most commonly found forms are a white powder or clear liquid.

It has an unpleasant salty taste.

Other Commonly Used Substances

GBL: dietary supplement, claims to improve sleep and sex, fights stress.

Ketamine: general anesthetic in veterinary medicine, liquid in pharmaceutical form, sometimes used as a powder. Often used in clubs as a party drug.

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How to Reduce the Risk of Drug-Facilitated Rape

Do not leave drinks unattended.
Do not share or exchange drinks with anyone.
Do not take any beverages from someone you do not know well and trust.
When at a bar, accept drinks only from the bartender, waiter/waitress. If possible, monitor how your drink is prepared.
At parties, do not accept open container drinks from anyone and do not accept a drink from a punch bowl or keg.
Develop a "buddy" system with friends and look out for each other. Be alert to the behavior of friends. Anyone appearing disproportionately inebriated in relation to the amount of alcohol she/he has consumed may be in danger.
If you believe you have consumed a date rape drug, you should be driven to an emergency room or call 911 immediately.
If you wake up and cannot remember what happened the night before, get tested immediately.

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How to Help a Friend Who is a Victim

Listen:

Encourage the victim to tell the story in her/his own way.
Allow silence - time for the victim to think, get in touch with feelings and decide how to express thoughts and feelings.
Realize that she/he might not solve problems the same way that you would; leave your expectations behind.
Respond in a supportive and accepting way to whatever you hear.
Stay calm when discussing the issue.
Be present, listen rather than think about what you're going to say.

Believe:

Honor what the victim states and feels about the incident(s). Victims rarely lie about relationship abuse or its impact on them.
Respect what is being said as an account of the victim's personal and unique experience.
Believe that she/he has been seriously impacted by the abuse and is not over-reacting.
Be non-judgmental in response to the victim's beliefs and decisions.
Acknowledge that the victim may have positive feelings for the abuser; criticize abusive behavior rather than the person.

Support:

Share information about the dynamics of relationship violence.
Help the victim recognize the abuse, understand that it is wrong and know that she/he does not deserve to be hurt or blamed for the abuse, no matter what.
Express your concern for the victim's safety and well-being and help them to develop a safety plan.
Provide emotional support; help the victim clarify feelings.
Offer options and accept that the victim's decisions are right for her/him at the time, and support those decisions.
Understand that getting free takes time.
Affirm the victim's strength in surviving and coping.
Encourage the belief that change is possible and that the victim has the right to control his/her own life.
Provide helpful resource information.
Call the police if you witness an assault.

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71% of teenage victims tell a friend that they were sexually assaulted (I Never Called It Rape. Warshaw, 1994).