Although we’d like to think that university is a safe haven from sexual violence, the National Institute of Justice’s 2005-2007 Campus Sexual Assault Study of almost 7,000 U.S. undergraduate students indicates that one in five women and six percent of men experienced attempted or completed sexual assault during college or university. According to the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Canadians aged 15-24 are 18 times more likely to experience sexual assault than those in other age groups.
The risk of violence, including sexual violence, rises during the first six to eight weeks of the semester. Louisa Drost, Director of Health, Accessible Learning Services, and Counselling at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, says that new students are more vulnerable than others. “They don’t yet know how the social system works and aren’t aware of the campus and community resources, either. Their lack of confidence, while away from their family and friends, can create power inequity,” she explains.
According to Drost, sexual violence affects everyone. “Men are victimized in addition to women,” she explains. Perpetrators can be male or female, and sexual assaults happen in heterosexual and same-gender relationships.
Most campus sexual violence occurs when one or both people are intoxicated, and students are usually assaulted by people they know and trust-not strangers.
There are effective violence prevention strategies, and it’s essential that both men and women get involved.
Irene Smith, Executive Director at the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, finds that the majority of discussion around sexual assault has been about women protecting themselves when they get to university.
“We have to move away from victim blaming,” says Smith. “For decades and decades, we’ve been telling potential victims to lock their doors, not go out late at night, walk in pairs, cover their drinks, and not wear short skirts. All of these things continue to perpetuate the myth that somehow victims are responsible for being sexually assaulted, and that’s just not the case.”
So, what would you do to prevent sexual violence? Here are three scenarios to help you identify when something doesn’t look or feel right and act on the instinct to stop it.
#1: A Big Party
Your friend Nicole is talking with a classmate, Brian. They’re flirting and Nicole is intoxicated, but Brian doesn’t seem to be. You hear Brian ask Nicole to take a walk with him. It’s late and hardly anyone is out.
What’s the problem?
Nicole can’t make clear decisions while intoxicated, and her classmate could easily persuade or overpower her into doing something against her will.
What can you do?
#2: Hanging Out
You’re hanging out with a group of friends when you notice one of the guys cornering your friend Jill in the kitchen. She looks uncomfortable.
What’s the problem?
The guy may just be misreading social queues, or may be purposefully isolating Jill from the group’s watchful eye.
What can you do?
Distracting one or both people is a good strategy in this kind of situation.
#3: A Potential Hookup
You meet Pat at a party and drink a few beers. You start hooking up, but Pat pushes you away.
What’s the problem?
Just because someone doesn’t say “no” it doesn’t mean there’s consent. People use subtle cues or don’t do anything, maybe because they feel embarrassed, unsure, want to be liked, or are intoxicated.
What can you do?
A recent Student Health 101 survey found that more than 80 percent of respondents would intervene if they saw a situation that involved sexual pressure or potential sexual violence. Graeme B., a third-year student at Kings University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, says, “I’m a resident assistant (RA) and we get plenty of training throughout the year on preventing sexual assault.” RAs and other staff at your school are a great resource. If your safety is a concern, get help from a security officer or other trained professional. You can also call 9-1-1.
As a student, you have the power to prevent violence. Whatever the sexual culture is like on your campus, it doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. We can all think about how we can affect cultural change.
* Name changed for privacy.
Kendra is a fourth-year student at Kings University and is doing her combined honours in Journalism and Social Anthropology.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, there are many ways to get support. Keep in mind that some people are required by law to report sexual assaults. Confidential support is available from professional counsellors and health care providers, clergy, and some other staff. If you have a question about confidentiality, don’t hesitate to ask before talking about your experience.
You can also talk with someone else you trust, like a faculty member, advisor, or coach.
If you would like to talk with someone not associated with your school, there are multiple other resources that you can turn to:
24 Hour Crisis Hotline
Toll Free: 1-800-265-9178
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre
416-597-8808 (24 hour hotline)
www.trccmwar.ca
[email protected]
Victoria Women’s Sexual Assault Centre
250-383-3232 (crisis line)
www.vwsac.com
[email protected]
Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres
Victim Support Line
Toll Free: 1-888-579-2888
Ontario Coalition of Rape Crises Centres
Criminal Code of Canada outlines the definition of sexual assault.
Sexual assault is a crime when someone forces any form of sexual activity on another person without that person’s consent. It includes sexual touching, kissing, sexual intercourse, anal intercourse, and oral sex. It may involve use or threat of use of a weapon (imitation or real), threats or harm to other people, and/or other physical injury.
Consent is the voluntary agreement to engage in the sexual activity in question, made expressly by the people directly involved. It cannot be coerced or indicated by someone else on your behalf.
You must be capable of consenting-for instance, sober enough to know what you are agreeing to.
View what constitutes assault under the Criminal Code of Canada
Kelsey D.*, a fourth-year student at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, stopped an intoxicated friend from heading home with a pushy guy at a local bar. “I went up to the guy and told him we were [leaving]. He tried to get in the cab with us, telling me he would come help take care of my friend. He was being extremely persistent. I finally told him enough was enough and that he wasn’t coming home with us. I then shut the cab door,” she says.
The bottom line: It’s okay to be firm if you’re met with resistance.
* Name changed for privacy.
Sybil C.,* a graduate student at the University of Toronto in Ontario, intervened at a house party during her fi rst year of university, when she saw a guy following her friend around. He wouldn’t leave her alone, even though her friend kept trying to move away from him. “I walked up to them both and said to my friend, ‘Hey, I know you have to leave now. Want a ride home?’ She was so relieved, and we both left the party. I could tell the guy was annoyed at me, but that gave my friend the chance to get out of a situation that was getting uncomfortable. We both agreed to do that for each other from then on,” she says.
The bottom line: Sometimes stepping in to help just requires a bit of creativity.
* Name changed for privacy.
Help spread awareness and learn more about sexual violence prevention strategies by joining (or starting!) a program on your campus. Some common initiatives include:
Women Against Violence Against Women
Avalon Sexual Assault Centre-Halifax, Ask Campaign
Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER)
