Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness
Sexual assault is a crime of power and control – not sexual desire. According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, approximately 67 percent of all sexual assaults/rapes were committed by friends, acquaintances, spouses, significant others and relatives. Only 33 percent were committed by strangers. Victims of sexual assault often have feelings of helplessness, isolation, guilt, fear and shame. However, victims are not the cause of someone else’s violent behavior, nor do they deserve to be sexually abused. The following information can help you to avoid being a victim of sexual assault.
- Always let someone know where you are and where you are going.
- When going on a date, have an idea of where you are going and be suspicious of sudden changes to the plan. Let someone know if your original location is changed.
- Get your own drinks and don’t accept drinks from other people, except someone you know and trust.
- Never leave your drink unattended. If you leave your drink unattended for any reason, do not drink from it when you return. Obtain a fresh drink.
- Trust your instincts.
- If you ever feel uneasy on campus, request a SIUE Police Escort.
- Be alert to your surroundings.
- Visually scan the area while walking by looking 360 degrees around you (side to side and front to back).
- Stay vigilant, even when talking on your cell phone.
- Walk with confidence. Criminals look for someone who appears vulnerable, lost or uncertain of themselves.
- Walk towards on-coming traffic so a car can’t ease up behind you.
- Don’t walk alone at night.
- Keep your residence, room and vehicle doors locked, even when you are inside.
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Be prepared by having your car or residence keys in hand as you approach the door.
- Do not hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.
- Do not pick up hitchhikers or offer rides to strangers.
- If in danger, scream and run. Yelling “fire” or “you’re not my mommy” can draw more attention than yelling “help”.
Remember that alcohol and drugs can impair your judgment and your ability to act responsibly. Also, wearing earphones connected to CD players, portable radios, i-Pods, etc. while walking can distract you, reduce your ability to hear peripheral noises and significantly decrease your ability to sense potential danger.
If you are sexually assaulted, immediately go to a safe place and report the incident, as time is a critical factor for evidence collection and preservation. Do not shower, bathe, use sanitary products, use the restroom, change clothes or touch anything the suspect may have touched. The SIUE Police Department can be contacted at 911 in cases of emergency or at (618) 650-3324 for non-emergency situations. If you do not feel comfortable contacting the police, additional assistance can be obtained by contacting a representative of Counseling Services, (618) 650‑2842; Health Services, (618) 650‑2842; Housing, (618) 650‑4628; your individual hall director; or Student Affairs, (618) 650‑2020.
