We hear about the horrors of rape on the nightly news, but most of us think, "that could never happen to me." Even when you are careful, you may still find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation.
On college campuses, date or acquaintance rape is far more common than rape by a stranger. It is also the least reported due to the relationship with the offender and the circumstances involved. Many times drugs and alcohol are involved and the victim either talks himself/herself into not reporting it because of their own guilt, or guilt brought on by peer pressure.
Prevention
Women
Men
What to do if you are a Victim
Date Rape/Acquaintance Rape
Indecent Assault and Battery
Need assistance someone is available for you 24 hours a day call
BC Police Emergency: 617-552-4444
BC Sexual Assault Hotline: 617-552-BC11
BC Health Services: 617-552-3227
- Decide ahead of time what you will and will not do. Do not get yourself backed into a corner.
- Let your partner know your feelings clearly and directly.
- Do not leave the decision to your partner.
- Trust your instincts. If a situation does not feel right, change the situation, or get away from it.
- Keep in mind that drugs and alcohol decrease your ability to make sensible decisions.
NOTE: Rapists have a new weapon: dosing drinks with drugs like roofies or GHB, which can take away your ability to fight back, and your memory of what was done to you. When these drugs are mixed with alcohol, the results can be lethal.
- Do not drink beverages that you did not open yourself.
- Do not exchange or share drinks with anyone.
- Do not take a drink from a container that is being passed around.
- If someone offers you a drink from the bar at a club or party, accompany the person to the bar to order your drink, watch the drink being poured, and carry the drink yourself.
- Do not leave your drink unattended especially when talking, dancing, using the rest room, or making a phone call.
- If you realize that your drink has been left unattended, discard it.
- Do not drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance like a salty taste, or unexplained residue.
- On a first date, check him out with friends. Go to a public place, a movie, restaurant, or campus event.
- Do not leave a party, concert, or bar with someone you just met, or do not know well, no matter how charming.
- Be wary of behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable. If it persists, leave.
NOTE: Men can be victims of rape and have the same rights to counseling and legal action as women do.
Men
It is never all right for you to force yourself on a woman, even if:
- She teases you or dresses provocatively.
- She says "no" and you think she means, "yes."
- You have had sex with her before.
- You have paid for a night on the town or an expensive gift.
- You have been dating for a long time and you think it is time.
- Do not ever assume you both want the same degree of intimacy.
- If you have any doubts… stop, ask, and clarify.
- It is okay not to "score." Real men can take "no" for an answer.
What to do if you are a Victim
- Go to a safe place and call the Boston College Police. The sooner you report the incident, the more likely the attacker will be caught and successfully prosecuted, if you choose to go forward.
- Do not shower, bathe, douche, or destroy any of the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. Do not disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred. It is important to preserve all physical evidence for court use.
- Go to a hospital emergency room for medical care. Ask the examining doctor to make a note of all injuries received as a result of the assault.
- Call someone to be with you. You should not be alone. Call for assistance.
- Write down a description of the circumstances surrounding the assault and a description of the attacker. The police need all the information they can get about the incident and the assailant.
- Save every article of clothing worn during the assault in addition to any sheets and/or blankets without laundering or altering them any way. Place each item in a separate paper bag and bring it to the hospital or give it to the police.
Someone known to the victim commits Date Rape, also known as Acquaintance Rape. This might be a friend, classmate, coworker, instructor, relative, or casual acquaintance. It is important to remember that Date or Acquaintance Rape is not a separately defined crime. Rape is rape, whether you know the person or not.
The crime of Indecent Assault and Battery occurs when the offender, without the victim's consent, intentionally has physical contact of a sexual nature with the victim. This contact may include an offender touching a woman's breasts or buttocks, or the genital area of a man.
If you are a victim of a sexual assault, it is extremely important that you tell someone so you can get the help you need. At Boston College there are many concerned and professionally trained people who are prepared to help you.