Sexual Violence
The CDC defines sexual violence as a sexual act committed against someone without that person’s freely given consent. Sexual violence is divided into the following types:
- Completed or attempted forced penetration of a victim
- Completed or attempted alcohol/drug-facilitated penetration of a victim
- Completed or attempted forced acts in which a victim is made to penetrate a perpetrator or someone else
- Completed or attempted alcohol/drug-facilitated acts in which a victim is made to penetrate a perpetrator or someone else
- Non-physically forced penetration which occurs after a person is pressured verbally or through intimidation or misuse of authority to consent or acquiesce
- Unwanted sexual contact
- Non-contact unwanted sexual experience
Sexual Harassment, as defined by Emory University
Unwelcome conduct, based on sex or on gender stereotypes, which is so severe or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with a person’s university employment, academic performance or participation in university programs or activities or creates a working, learning, program or activity environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive. Sexual harassment may include, for example, an attempt to coerce an unwilling person into a sexual relationship; to repeatedly subject a person to egregious, unwelcome sexual attention or advances; to punish a refusal to comply with a sexual based request; to condition a benefit on submitting to sexual advances; sexual violence or sexual assault; intimate partner violence; stalking; inappropriate comments; and gender-based bullying.
Sexual Misconduct, as defined by Emory University
Sexual misconduct encompasses sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual contact (or attempts to commit same); non-consensual sexual intercourse (or attempts to commit same), and sexual exploitation. Sexual misconduct can occur between strangers or acquaintances, including people involved in an intimate or sexual relationship. Sexual misconduct can be committed by persons of any gender or sex, and it can occur between people of the same or different sex.
Alcohol and Sexual Violence
Drug-facilitated sexual assault occurs when alcohol or drugs are used to compromise one’s ability to give consent to a sexual act. There is overlap between alcohol use and sexual assault, but it is important to note that alcohol use DOES NOT cause sexual assault. Approximately 50-70% of sexual assault involve alcohol (meaning that alcohol is present), but alcohol is the tool, not the cause, of violence. Being intoxicated is never an excuse for choosing to sexually assault someone.
Victim Blaming
Holding a survivor responsible for the harm that befell them is devaluing and unacceptable. The actions associated with blaming a survivor can include, but is not limited to; judgment about one’s clothing choices, alcohol consumption, sexual history, self-esteem, and rejection from campus organizations or events. Victim blaming reinforces an environment that removes all accountability from a perpetrator of said violence while simultaneously punishing a survivor for being impacted by the decision of others. Long-term effects of victim blaming can have social, psychological, and emotional damage to one’s life. It could impact one’s decision to report an assault, complete their education, or seek out professional care to heal from the assault.
Are people typically raped by people they know, and how does this change on a college campus?
According to the White House Task Force Report, (based on stats compiled by the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey) most survivors of assault know their perpetrators. “51% of female victims were raped by a current or former intimate partner, and 41% were raped by an acquaintance. Stranger rape, in contrast, accounts for 14% of the total. Of men and boys, 52% report being raped by an acquaintance and 15% by a stranger.”
If we look closer at the demographics we find that the majority of assault survivors are between the ages of 16-24. According to the CDC, “80% of female victims were raped before they turned 25…” In addition, “College students are especially at risk: 1 in 5 women has been sexually assaulted while in college.”
If we look closer at the demographics we find that the majority of assault survivors are between the ages of 16-24. According to the CDC, “80% of female victims were raped before they turned 25…” In addition, “College students are especially at risk: 1 in 5 women has been sexually assaulted while in college.”
