Presentation Transcript

1. Understanding Sexual Assault for Men USC&A Fraternity and Sorority Life Virginia Commonwealth University
2. Purpose The purpose of this module is to raise the level of awareness and education that fraternity men have on the issues of rape and sexual assault.
3. Sexual Assault Myths and Facts Sexual Assault & Consent Rape and VCU Policy What Men Can Do. Commitment Resources at VCU
4. Myths & Facts Myth #1 Victims provoke sexual assaults when they dress provocatively or act in a promiscuous manner.
5. Myths & Facts Fact #1 Rape and sexual assault are crimes of violence and control that stem from a person's determination to exercise power over another. Neither provocative dress nor promiscuous behavior are invitations for unwanted sexual activity. Forcing someone to engage in non-consensual sexual activity is sexual assault, regardless of the way that person dresses or acts.
6. Myths & Facts Myth #2 It’s not sexual assault if it happens after drinking or taking drugs.
7. Myths & Facts Fact #2 Many state laws hold that a person who is cognitively impaired due to the influence of drugs or alcohol is not able to consent to sexual activity. Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not an invitation for non-consensual sexual activity. A person under the influence of drugs or alcohol does not cause others to assault him/her; others choose to take advantage of the situation and sexually assault him/her because he/she is in a vulnerable position. The act of an offender who deliberately uses alcohol as a means to subdue someone in order to engage in non-consensual sexual activity is also criminal.
8. Myths & Facts Myth #3 It’s only rape if the victim puts up a fight and resists.
9. Myths & Facts Fact #3 Many states do not require a victim to resist in order to charge the offender with rape or sexual assault. In addition, there are many reasons why a victim of sexual assault would not fight or resist his/her attacker. He/She may feel that fighting or resisting will make his/her attacker angry, resulting in more severe injury. He/She may not fight or resist as a coping mechanism for dealing with the trauma of being sexually assaulted. Many law enforcement experts say that victims should trust their instincts and intuition and do what they think is most likely to keep them alive. Not fighting or resisting an attack does not equal consent. It may mean it was the best way he/she knew how to protect himself/herself from further injury.
10. Myths & Facts Myth #4 Many women say "No" when they mean "Yes."
11. Myths & Facts Fact #4 If a woman/man says "No," that "No" must be respected. There is no such thing as "the point of no return" or "not being able to stop." If at any point a person says "No," you must stop. If someone tells you to stop, they may be uncomfortable for a variety of reasons, one of which might be that they have been assaulted in the past.
12. Myths & Facts Myth #5 If he pays for dinner and drinks, she owes him sex.
13. Myths & Facts Fact #5 It doesn't matter how much he spends, sex cannot be expected as a payback.
14. Myths and Facts Myth #6 He/She didn't say no.
15. Myths & Facts Fact #6 There are many ways that people say no to sex without using the word 'no' for examples: I've got a boyfriend /girlfriend. Let's just go to sleep. I'm not sure. I'd really like to but … You've been drinking. I've been drinking. I want to be alone. Don't touch me. I'm not in the mood.
16. Myths and Facts Myth #7 A man that is assaulted by another man is gay.
17. Myths and Facts Fact #7 Sexual assault is about power and control. A man that is assaulted by another man does not make him gay or any less of a man. The man needs help and support like any other survivor of sexual assault.
18. What is Sexual Assault? Sexual assault is broadly defined as: Any physical contact of a sexual nature without voluntary CONSENT.
19. What is consent? Consent is a voluntary, sober, enthusiastic, wanted, informed, mutual, honest, and well communicated agreement.
20. Understanding Consent Both partners need to be fully conscious and aware. Both partners are equally free to act. Both partners clearly communicate their willingness and permission. The absence of a “No” does not equal consent.
21. Virginia Code § 18.2-67.10. General Definitions "Mental incapacity" means that condition of the complaining witness existing at the time of an offense under this article which prevents the complaining witness from understanding the nature or consequences of the sexual act involved in such offense and about which the accused knew or should have known. "Physical helplessness" means unconsciousness or any other condition existing at the time of an offense under this article which otherwise rendered the complaining witness physically unable to communicate an unwillingness to act and about which the accused knew or should have known.
22. VCU Student Sexual Misconduct Policy Defines sexual misconduct as “unwelcome acts of a sexual nature committed by a student against another student without consent” Includes: Unwelcome touching Coerced sexual intercourse Unwelcome sexual propositions, invitations or other pressure for sex Implied or overt threats of a sexual nature Making gestures of a sexual nature Unwelcome sexual remarks about clothing, body, or sexual activities (including humor/jokes about sex that denigrate women or men in general)
23. VCU Student Sexual Misconduct Policy The following constitutes lack of consent: Threat Force Intimidation Mental or physical inability to understand the situation, the consequences of his/her choices or to express his/her desires
24. Filling It In On the following slides there will be sentences with blanks spots. After each sentence is read, please write down on a separate sheet of paper the first word that comes to mind. Remember to be honest with yourself. Answers will not be collected. Do not shout out answers.
25. Filling It In That guy is a _____ because he can’t get laid.
26. Filling It In That girl is such a ______.
27. Filling It In Watch out for her, she is such a _______.
28. Filling It In Look at the way she is dressed, she must be ______?
29. Filling It In How easy was that? What words did you choose? Are you okay with those choices? Why do we decide to use these words? What do these words do?
30. Why are men blamed? Why do you feel men are blamed? What should men do to create change?
31. What men can do to create change Stop making and/or laughing at degrading jokes about sexual orientation, sex roles and women. Challenge abusive behavior when you witness it. If you see a woman in trouble at a party, don’t be afraid to intervene. Never force, pressure or coerce anyone to have sex.
32. What men can do to create change Don’t take silence as consent. Don’t have sex with someone who is drunk, passed out, or asleep. Stop if someone says, "No," is reluctant or is not clearly consenting. Don’t assume that someone wants to have sex because of their reputation or dress. Stop using abusive language.
33. Making the commitment What are five things that your chapter can commit to do to create change? How will all members be informed and commit to the change? Examples: All members will participate in “Take Back the Night.” Members will refrain from referring to women as sluts. The chapter will develop a code of conduct.
34. Commitment It is not just her issue, it is everyone’s issue. We can no longer be bystanders.
35. VCU Resources Coordinator, Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Services (828-2085) VCU Police (828-1234) Student Health Services (828-8828) University Counseling Center (828-6200)
36. Sources Myths and Facts About Sexual Violence, Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, <http://www.icasa.org/docs/myths_and_facts_from_vawo.pdf > Greenfeld, Lawrence A., Sex Offenses and Offenders: An Analysis of Data on Rape and Sexual Assault, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics (1997). Bureau of Justice Statistics, Crime Characteristics: Violent Crime - Victim/Offender Relationship (last revised Dec. 20, 2001) <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict_c.htm> Fisher, Bonnie S., Francis T. Cullen and Michael G. Turner, The Sexual Victimization of College Women Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice and Bureau of Justice Statistics, NCJ 182369 (December 2000). Snyder, Howard N., Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident, and Offender Characteristics, Washington, DC: American Statistical Association and U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, NCJ 182990 (July 2000). Rennison, Callie M., National Crime Victimization Survey, Criminal Victimization 2000: Changes 1999-2000 with Trends 1993-2000, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, NCJ 187007 (June 2001) Rennison, Callie M., Violent Victimization and Race, 1993-98, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, NCJ 176354 (March 2001) Greenfeld, Lawrence A. and Steven K. Smith, American Indians and Crime, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, NCJ 173386 (February 1999)
37. Contact Us For more information or support please contact: USC&A Fraternity & Sorority Life Office 907 Floyd Ave., Room 014 Richmond, VA 23284 Phone: (804) 828-4685 Email: vcugreeks@vcu.edu Web: www.usca.vcu.edu/greeklife