Sexual Assault Brochure

Sexual Assault Response and Education Services

We all know someone…a friend, family member, girlfriend, ourselves…who have been harmed by sexual assault.

The Problem

Sexual assault and other forms of coercive sexual behavior are, unfortunately, part of college life for many young women and men. The problem first came to attention through the research of Mary Koss in 1987and is now considered a national college health issue. The negative health and psychological consequences of unwanted sexual experiences are significant. Many aspects of the college environment can actually increase an individual’s risk of sexual assault.

Our Mission

Sexual assault response and education services at Emory University provide confidential consultation, referral, and advocacy to students who have reported sexual assault, and sexual assault awareness and risk reduction education for the college community. Our mission is twofold: to empower students to disclose sexual assault and access medical and mental health services, and to reduce the occurrence of sexual assault by creating a community intolerant of sexual violence, with expectations of communication and respect between genders.

Location Cox Hall, Third Floor

Phone 404 727 1514

Email [email protected]

Inside pages

What you need to know about sexual assault on the college campus:  A woman has a one in four chance of being sexually assaulted during college  Men are also sexually victimized  Women are at greatest risk during their first three months on campus  Sexual assault is the most under-reported campus crime  Students who choose to disclose sexual assault usually tell a friend  The assailant is an acquaintance 80-95% of the time –“stranger rapes” are the exception, not the norm  Alcohol is the most common “date rape” drug: intoxication by either the victim or perpetrator is present in over 80% of cases

What you can do to create a community intolerant of sexual assault:  Challenge other’s comments and behavior which blame victims, condone rape, or degrade women  Understand that your silence can be understood as tacit agreement  Be willing to intervene when you think someone is in a vulnerable situation  Be willing to establish mutual consent before engaging in sexual activity

What you can do to achieve mutual consent for sexual intimacy  Recognize that the greater the alcohol consumed, the lesser the likelihood that consent is possible  Understand that the person initiating the sexual activity holds the responsibility for establishing consent  Appreciate that inaction and passivity are not signs of consent: not saying “No” does not mean “Yes”  Respect that either party has the right to refuse further sexual contact at any point  Be willing to communicate your intentions directly

What you can do to help a friend who has been sexually assaulted:  If you are the first person they have told, strongly encourage them to tell a member of the Emory community and assist them in doing so  Be careful not to ask questions which may be felt as blaming, such as “Were you drinking?” of “Why did you go to his room?”  Be sensitive to the fact that individuals who have been sexually assaulted in our society are often mistakenly disbelieved  Support their receiving follow-up medical and mental health care

What you need to know about reporting sexual assault:  Reporting an assault does not in any way obligate a student to pursue legal or disciplinary action  Individuals privacy will be protected to the greatest extent possible  Students may contact any of the following individuals for help: 1) Dr. Leslie Campis, Sexual Assault and Education Services Coordinator; 2) resident hall advisors, 3) Counseling Center staff, 4) Student Health practitioners, 5) Dean of their school, 6) a Campus Life professional, or 7) Women’s Center staff.