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Common Problems Abusive Dating Relationships Academic or Career-Related Concerns Aggression and Potential Violence Anxiety Demanding Behavior Depression Disabilities Eating Disorders Grief Hate Crime or Hate Incidents Hazing Irrational Behavior or Inappropriate Behavior Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorder Psychiatric Disabilities Sexual Assault Sexual Harassment Stalking Substance Abuse Suicide Trauma

Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is sexual contact by one person against another without consent. The law defines consent as positive cooperation in act or attitude pursuant to an exercise of free will. Consent may not be inferred from silence or passivity. A current or previous relationship does not constitute consent. The most recent national study by the Justice Department found that the number of incidents in which female college students were sexually assaulted occurred at a rate of 35.3 incidents per 1,000. The survey defined sexual assault as completed or attempted rape, threats of rape, sexual coercion, unwanted sexual contact with force or the threat of force, and stalking. Among the report’s findings are that nearly sixty percent of the rapes on campuses took place in the victims’ residences. Fewer than five percent of rapes and attempted rapes were reported to law enforcement officials. Sexual assaults at UCSB are predominantly committed by men against women, although men can be assaulted by women and same-sex assaults do occur. The majority of assaults are committed by an acquaintance of the victim and involve the use of alcohol by one or both persons. Some incidents of sexual assault are against the law or University policy. When you become aware that a student has experienced a sexual assault or has been the recipient of inappropriate and/or unwelcome physical contact:

DO

  1. Be aware that when a student discloses information about an assault to you, s/he is demonstrating trust in you and the desire for help.
  2. Be aware that victims can feel shame and anger towards themselves. Listen without conveying judgment.
  3. When possible, speak to the student in private.
  4. Refer the student to the Women’s Center, Rape Prevention Education Program coordinator (893-3778).
  5. Refer the student to Counseling Services (893-4411).
  6. If appropriate, refer the student to the Sexual Harassment Complaint Office (893-2546).
  7. On the weekends or after 5:00 p.m., refer the student to the Rape Crisis Center (564-3696).
  8. Inform the student that UCSB’s Sexual Assault Policy and Procedures can be accessed on the web at http://judicialaffairs.sa.ucsb.edu/pdf/sapp.pdf. Printed copies are available at the Women’s Center or the Sexual Harassment Complaint Office (2121 Cheadle Hall).
  9. Inform the student that UCSB’s Sexual Harassment Policy can be accessed on the web at http://www.ucop.edu/ucophome/coordrev/policy/PP021006Policy.pdf. Printed copies are available at the Women’s Center or the Sexual Harassment Complaint Office (2121 Cheadle Hall).
  10. Inform the student that information about UCSB’s Rape Prevention Education Program can be accessed on the web at http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/women'scenter/sexualviolence/rpep/rpep.asp.
  11. Refer the student to the Campus Police (893-3446) if the student wants to make a police report and the incident occurred on campus or UCSB owned property, If the incident occurred in Isla Vista, refer the student to the Isla Vista Foot Patrol (681-4179).

DON’T

  1. Minimize the situation.
  2. Convey negative judgment even when high-risk behavior such as intoxication is involved.
  3. Try to persuade the student to make a police report.
  4. Tell other staff members about the incident except for those who need to know.
 
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