Sexual Assault on College Campus: Resources for Survivors
CONTENT WARNING: This article talks briefly about sexual assault, law enforcement, medical examinations, and the choices available to a college student experiencing sexual trauma. Please read with caution, and be sure to proceed in a fashion that puts your safety first.
By, Olivia Eisenberg, Contributor, The Fem Word
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College is open and campuses are buzzing with life again after more than a year of remote learning. But with kids making up for lost time with friends, the parties are in full swing - and this unfortunately means an increased risk of sexual assault and harassment on campus. In fact fall is the most important time to be aware of ‘the red zone’, the time spanning the start of the fall semester through Thanksgiving break, when, statistically, more than 50 percent of all college sexual assaults occur.
In the United States college undergraduate population, 26% percent of cisgender women report being sexually assaulted, followed closely by 23% of transgender, genderqueer, and nonbinary people and 7% of cisgender men. Of course, over 90% of survivors do not report their assault or abuse.
Every survivor is different, and while some may choose to report their experience to campus security or law enforcement, others may prefer to heal in other ways. Any method of healing is valid, and it is important that whichever route a survivor chooses to take that they are listened to, taken seriously, and have ample resources available to them.
The Fem Word has put together a list of the signs to look for and resources for survivors.
1. What You Can Do to Help
Sexual assault and abuse has long been swept under the rug. It is often overwhelming to hear statistics and think about how prevalent it is. As we have seen, often when a survivor bravely comes forward with their story it inspires others to do the same. As a survivor myself, I can say that the most supportive thing you can do for survivors is to listen. Believe their story and then ask how you can support them.
2. On Campus Resources
Every college and university is equipped with counselors who are trained to help survivors navigate through their journeys of healing. These counselors are obligated to keep conversations confidential; the only exception to this is if the patient presents an imminent threat to themselves or others. These services are usually free with tuition.
3. Medical Care for Sexual Assault Victims
Most colleges and universities have specially trained nurses in their emergency medical centers that specialize in working with survivors of sexual assault and abuse. These nurses, acting in accordance with the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016, will carefully and compassionately conduct an interview with the survivor, a physical exam, and a follow-up visit and/or treatment. Please remember: it is the survivor’s legal right to have any of these processes stopped at any point.
4. Campus Police
Turning to the campus police can be a good option. For those who have a (valid) mistrust in law enforcement and their dedication to getting justice for survivors — unlike with non-campus affiliated law enforcement, Title IX requires colleges and universities to take every report for adjudication and response as the survivor wishes. You can find the contact information for your school’s campus police on the school’s website. You can also report an assault to your local law enforcement, if you feel safe and comfortable doing so. For more information regarding this process, see RAINN’s page.
5. Online Resources
The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network: RAINN is a free and over-arching resource for anything that pertains to sexual assault of abuse. Their website features a free, 24 hour confidential hotline, statistics, information on sexual assault law in each state, counseling, and volunteer opportunities.
Space to Speak: Space to Speak was created with a goal of connecting young survivors and giving them a voice. It has become a space where survivors and allies can share their stories and heal together.
Joyful Heart Foundation: JHF is an informational advocacy resource dedicated to education surrounding sexual assault. Joyful Heart is also “paving the way for innovative approaches to treating trauma, igniting shifts in the way the public views and responds to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, and reforming and advancing policies and legislation on the city, state, and federal levels to ensure justice for survivors.”
Photo Credit: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
When we can understand that the blame should solely be placed on the perpetrator, and when we can talk about our experiences in an open and supportive environment, we are increasing awareness. With this and consent education, we can hopefully begin to prevent incidents from happening in the future.
References:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5578/text
https://www.rainn.org/articles/reporting-law-enforcement
https://www.knowyourix.org/issues/schools-handle-sexual-violence-reports/
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