OVERVIEW
Rape is not just a woman's problem. Nor is rape something
that happens to someone else, somewhere else. It happens
everywhere, every day, and every minute to girls and women
of all ages. Family and friends of victims are also affected.
We
are all affected: rape is the result of a culture that promotes
male dominance and views women as inferior beings. It's
the extreme expression of a continuum of sexist behaviors
that inhibit women from having equal access to opportunities;
these behaviors range from sex-role stereotyping and sexist
remarks and jokes to sex-based discrimination and, ultimately,
to actual sexual harassment and violence against women.
On
Campuses:
Rape
is a significant problem on college campuses across the
nation, where most victims are acquainted with their assailants.
A major research study has shown that one in eight college
women is the victim of rape during her college years, while
one in four is the victim of attempted rape. Most of the
women (84%) knew the men who raped them and 57% of them
were on dates. 95% did not report the rape to officials;
42% of the victims told no one (Koss, M. "Scope of
Rape." Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
1987.) The effects of rape on these student victims can
be devastating, creating emotional, trauma-related difficulties
and, consequently, disrupting or ending their academic careers.
Because
rape is everyone's problem, we can solve it only through
the efforts of women and men working together. Take the
time now to learn the facts about rape and what you can
do.
LEGAL
INFORMATION: WHAT IS THE CRIME OF RAPE?
According
to Pennsylvania law, rape, (a first-degree felony), is sexual
intercourse obtained:
Through
“forcible compulsion”
- through
"forcible compulsion"
|
- through
threat of "forcible compulsion"
|
- when
a person is unconscious or unaware that intercourse
is occurring even though conscious
|
- when
a mental disability renders a person incapable of
consent
|
- when
a person is less than 13 years of age even though
consent is given
|
- when
the offender gets his victim drunk or high for the
purpose of preventing resistance without the knowledge
of the victim
|
"Forcible
Compulsion" is defined as "compulsion
by use of physical, intellectual, moral, emotional, or psychological
force, either express or implied," and does not
require that the victim resist the offender.
Sexual
assault, (a second-degree felony), consists of
non-consensual sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse includes
vaginal, anal, or oral sex. There must be some penetration,
however slight, but ejaculation is not necessary.
Aggravated
indecent assault, (also a second-degree felony),
consists of penetration of the genitals or anus by
a part of the offender's body without consent. Indecent
assault is unwanted touching of intimate parts of
the body and is a second-degree misdemeanor.
A
stranger, acquaintance, close friend, relative, date, or
a spouse can commit rape and sexual assault. Alcohol or
other drug use can impair and individual's ability to give
consent. The penalties range from imprisonment for up to
two years for indecent assault to imprisonment for up to
ten years for sexual assault and twenty years for rape,
in addition to fines and restitution. The statute of limitations
for reporting rape, sexual assault, and aggravated indecent
assault is five years and two years for reporting indecent
assault.
WHAT
IS PENN STATE DOING ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT?
Penn
State is committed to supporting victims of relationship,
domestic, and sexual violence, and to encourage an environment
that is intolerant of acts of violence. Victims have been
traumatized and, as a result, require sensitive care for
their medical, psychological, and legal needs following
victimization. Within the University community, it is imperative
to support victims in their recovery from the trauma of
relationship, domestic, and sexual violence and to do so
with an attitude of concern and non-judgmental regard.
The
following is a summary of Penn State's procedures and services
for victims of relationship, domestic, and sexual violence:
- Ensures
access to medical care. The University will fully
subsidize basic rape-related care at Centre Community
Hospital, the General Medicine Department, and the
Women's Health Department at University Health Services.
|
- Provides
a dusk-to-dawn Escort Service for a safer alternative
to walking alone. Call 865-WALK to arrange for an
escort.
|
- Provides
assistance, advocacy, and educational programming
through the Center for Women Students
|
- Provides
sexual assault counseling, including crisis services,
through Counseling and Psychological Services.
|
- Offers
the "trauma drop," a procedure for the
retroactive withdrawal from semesters or dropping
of courses, for victims of violence. For more information,
contact the Center for Women Students or Counseling
and Psychological Services.
|
- Includes
a Policy Statement on Sexual Assault and Abuse in
the Code of Conduct, which Specifies that, "The
Pennsylvania State University will not tolerate
sexual assault or abuse, such as rape (including
acquaintance rape) or other forms of non-consensual
sexual activity. These acts degrade the victims,
our campus community, and society in general. While
the University cannot control all the factors in
society that lead to sexual assault and abuse, the
University strives to create an environment that
is free of acts of violence." Violations of
the policy are subject to disciplinary proceedings
through Judicial Affairs.
|
For
more information about Penn State's protocols to help victims,
see the
Protocol
to assist victims of relationship, domestic and sexual
violence. (pdf)
RESOURCE
DIRECTORY
Emotional
Support
Counseling
and Psychological Services, Sexual Assault Services,
221 Ritenour Building: (814) 863-0395
Centre County Women's Resource Center (24 hours): (814)
234-5222
Medical
Treatment
Centre
Community Hospital, Emergency Department: (814) 234-6110
University Ambulance (identify victim as a student): 911
University Health Services, Ritenour Building,Women's Health
Appointments (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.):
(814) 863-2633
General Medicine Appointments, (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.
- 5:00 p.m.): (814) 863-0774
Police
and Legal Information
Police
Emergency Number: 911
University Police Services, Eisenhower Parking Deck: (814)
863-1111
State College Police, 243 South Allen Street: (814) 234-7150
Victim/Witness Advocate, Eisenhower Parking Deck: (814)
865-1864
District Attorney, Centre County Courthouse, Bellefonte:
(814) 355-6735
Judicial Affairs, 135 Boucke Building: (814) 863-0342
Protocol to assist victims of relationship, domestic and
sexual violence.
Safety
Escort
Service, (dusk to dawn 365 days a year): (814) 865-WALK
Sexual
Assault Education, Referral Information, and Advocacy
Center
for Women Students, 102 Boucke Building: (814) 863-2027
This
sexual assault information is provided as a courtesy by
the Center for Women Students: (814) 863-2027.
EMERGENCY
CONTRACEPTION
If you are a victim of sexual assault and are concerned
about becoming pregnant, you may be able to take advantage
of emergency contraceptive services. If the assault has
occurred in the past 72 hours, you are a candidate for the
emergency contraceptive pill (ECP). Please call 863-2633
and ask for a same day appointment. [more information]
PROTECT
YOURSELF
Women
And Men:
- Think
about what your sexual limits are, and be prepared
to communicate them directly.
|
- Be
aware of sex-role stereotypes that prevent you from
acting as you want to, such as a woman not being
able to initiate sexual activity or a man not being
able to say "no".
|
- Pay
attention to nonverbal behaviors, including the
signals you may be sending. Make sure that your
body language is consistent with verbal messages.
|
- Remember
that alcohol and other drugs can interfere with
your ability to communicate effectively and deal
with potentially dangerous situations. Be responsible
in your decision-making with regard to alcohol and
drugs.
|
Women:
- Learn
to be assertive and speak directly. Don't worry
about being polite. Expect and demand that your
rights and feelings be respected.
|
- Be
aware that some men make assumptions about a woman's
willingness to engage in sexual activity because
of her behavior. If she's drinking heavily, dressed
provocatively, or goes to his room, he may assume
that she's available.
|
- Trust
your instincts. If the situation doesn't feel right,
it probably isn't. Confront the person immediately
or leave.
|
- Avoid
being in a vulnerable situation with someone you
don't know well.
|
-
Know how you're getting home from a social event.
If the friend or group of friends you were planning
on walking with have already left, call the Penn
State Escort Service rather than walking alone or
with someone you just met.
|
Use
common sense to avoid stranger attacks:
HOW TO DEAL
WITH RAPE
Learn
the Facts
Myths
about rape are pervasive in our culture. They function to
discredit victims and make them feel personally responsible
so they will not report the rape. Myths also give women
a false sense of security and dis-inhibit the behavior of
rapists. Replacing myths with facts is the first step in
altering the conditions that lead to rape.
MYTH:
Rape is a sexual crime, impulsively committed by a man for
sexual gratification.
FACT:
Rape is a crime of violence and aggression. Its intent is
to overpower, degrade, and humiliate the victim.
MYTH:
Rape can't happen to me or someone I know.
FACT:
Rape victims come from all socioeconomic classes and ethnic
backgrounds and range in age from 3 months to 97 years.
Men and boys can be victims too. The highest rape victimization
rate is for women between the ages of 16 and 19; the second
highest is for women between the ages of 20 and 24.
MYTH:
Most rapes are committed by strangers in a dark place at
night.
FACT:
It is estimated that as many as 80% of all rapes are committed
by someone the victim knows. Rape can take place anywhere,
at any time. Many acquaintance rapes occur in the context
of a dating relationship and typically take place on the
man's turf. For college women, their normal social environment
- a party where alcohol is used - involves more of a risk
for sexual victimization than does walking alone down a
dark street.
MYTH:
Women provoke rape by how they behave, dress, or where they
choose to go. Rape is the victim's fault.
FACT:
Rape is never the victim's fault. If a woman wants to be
involved sexually with a man, it would not be necessary
for him to use force or threats of physical violence. Research
shows that rapists look for available women they perceive
as vulnerable.
MYTH:
In a dating situation, when a woman says "no"
she really means "yes".
FACT:
"No" means NO.
MYTH:
Women report rapes to get even with men or to protect their
reputations.
FACT:
According to the BI, fewer than 2% of reports are false,
which is the same percentage for the false reporting
of other crimes. In fact, anywhere from 50% to 90%
of all rapes are not reported to police.
KNOW
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE IS RAPED
No
matter how careful you or your friends are, it may not be
possible to prevent a rape. Then it becomes important to
know what to do to help yourself or a friend feel safe again.
Remember that it is not your fault or her fault. No one
asks to be raped, and no one deserves it.
Female
Victims:
After
a rape occurs, female victims should:
