NATURE
OF THE PROBLEM
Initially referred to as date rape, today acquaintance rape is considered
a more accurate term. The reason for this is simple. Research indicates
that campus rapes occur not only between people who are on a date
but also between those who simply know each other and are not dating.
More than eight in ten victims know their attacker. They may have
met at a party, or visited an off campus house with friends, or were
simply socializing in each other’s rooms in the residence hall,
thus the term acquaintance rape. Remember, rape is rape and using
the term acquaintance in no way suggests its effects are any less
severe than with strangers.
As you read through the statistics on this page, understand they are
referring to male on female attacks. In doing so, I do not wish to
perpetuate the image of women in society as “victims” nor
men as “predators,” however, when it comes to sexual assault,
more often than not women are the victims of the assault. For that
reason, this section will deal with just that, male on female sexual
assault. Rape, defined as forcing another person to engage in sexual
intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral), can occur between different or
same sex individuals. The bottom line for any of these tragedies is
that more often than not, alcohol is involved.
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"I can’t
believe he did it. We were teammates. He just didn’t seem like
the kind of guy to do that kind of thing. I guess he just got too
drunk. I really feel sorry for that girl."
David A., University of Miami
IMPACT OF ALCOHOL
As previously indicated, alcohol is a depressant drug
which impacts us in a number of debilitating ways. Simply put, a depressant
drug slows down our central nervous system. As a result, alcohol can
impair our ability to communicate. Therefore, men and women can often
misinterpret what the other is trying to say or do. “Maybe later”
becomes “yes.” “No” becomes “give me a few
more drinks first.’ An innocent kiss may be mistakenly viewed as
an invitation to more intimate sexual contact. While under the influence
of alcohol, verbal and non-verbal cues are frequently misinterpreted
by college men and women, more often with men overestimating women’s
interest in them as sexual partners based on the woman’s characteristics
such as friendliness, attractiveness and clothing.
Alcohol, as a depressant drug, may inhibit brain functions that control
impulsive behavior. As a result, aggressive actions a perpetrator may
not have engaged in while sober may now be acted upon, resulting in
a violent attack. Additionally, alcohol is one of the only drugs that
seems to actually contribute to aggressive, violent behavior in some
individuals. In a study of female students who had been the victims
of some type of sexual aggression (including rape, intimidation, illegal
restraint) sixty eight per cent reported their male assailant had been
drinking or using other drugs before the crime and one in four admitted
to being moderately or extremely intoxicated. In another study, more
than half the male students who admitted to having committed sexual
assault said they had been drinking. Some may even use alcohol and other
drugs to justify an assault.
The blame for unwanted sexual behavior and sexual assault always lies
with the perpetrator who made the choice to violate another person.
But, alcohol, as a depressant drug, can also impair our judgment. As
a result victims may place themselves in a high-risk environment which
they may have avoided had they been sober. In saying this, I am not
blaming the victim but rather pointing out the connection between alcohol
use and risk. In a 1987 study more than half the women who reported
being sexually assaulted also reported drinking or using drugs at the
time of the assault. Additionally, in the same survey, approximately
20% of victims reported being moderately or severely intoxicated at
the time of the assault. In a later survey nearly three quarters of
the college women indicating they had been sexually assaulted also reported
consuming alcohol at the time of the assault. Again, this information
is not meant to cast blame on the victim. What it does indicate is that
victims of sexual assault are often rendered incapable of assessing
a dangerous situation due, somewhat, to alcohol induced impairment.
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"I was so embarrassed I
didn’t want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to crawl into a hole
and die."
Anonymous
IF
ASSAULTED
If you are raped or know someone who has been raped,
there are some critical steps that should be followed. First of all,
get help! As a result of the trauma of the attack, victims can rarely
think clearly about what they can and should do. Either stay in your
room and call for help or get to a safe place. If you are not yet
comfortable going to officials, get help from a friend with whom you
can talk. There are a number of support services available for rape
victims on college campuses. Also, the local police usually have specially
trained officers sensitive to the needs of a rape victim. Additionally,
if for any reason you are not comfortable with campus services or
the police, you can contact a local women’s services organization
in your community. Or, for a victims services office near you, call
the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), a national rape
crisis hotline 1-800-656-4673.
Although dealing with the proper adjudication of the crime is not
of immediate concern to a victim of rape, trying to maintain the integrity
of evidence of the attack is crucial for future decisions about judicial
procedures. If you choose to report the assault, first call the police,
then go to the hospital. Do not shower, bathe or douche. Do not change
your clothes however bring a change of clothes with you to either
the police station or the hospital. The police will need the clothes
you were wearing during the assault as evidence. When possible, do
not straighten up your room or the area where the attack occurred
until the medical and legal evidence has been collected. Failure to
obtain evidence within 72 hours after an assault can limit the legal
actions for the victim following the assault. While at the hospital,
have medical personnel treat external and internal injuries as well
as test for sexually transmitted diseases. Most hospitals have specially
trained nurses who will administer a rape kit. Finally, if you suspect
there is even the slightest chance that you were slipped some type
of sedating drug, have a urine test taken. Even if you are not yet
at a hospital or treatment facility, collect the first urine sample
available in a clean container. There is now a federal law that can
put a rapist in jail for 20 years if a sedating drug is used to commit
the crime.
Yes, these instructions seem quite cold and calculating, but they
are critical. The emotional turmoil and distress the victim experiences
is certainly extremely painful, but following these steps will ensure
that if the victim chooses to report and/or prosecute, there will
be useful evidence. These steps are necessary to assist in ensuring
that the attacker will be arrested and effectively prosecuted in court.
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"People tell me to get over it but they just don't understand."
Anonymous
"I was having real problems afterwards. I eventually dropped
out of school for awhile. My counselor and my family have been great.
I don’t think I could have gotten through this without them."
Jennie, Boston University
LONG
TERM CONSEQUENCES
As indicated earlier, professional help is of utmost
importance not only for the immediate concerns regarding the attack
but also the long term implications. Certainly the survivor of a rape
is traumatized by the assault. More often than not, survivors develop
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Symptoms might include fear,
helplessness, depression, anger and other emotional disturbances.
Additionally, we must not forget the long term impact can also be
disturbing, often resulting in profound psychological and emotional
difficulties. I have spoken with many—too many—students
who are recovering from some type of sexual assault. Most are dealing
with a number of similar issues:
-while most survivors have fears regarding their assailant, those
assaulted while under the influence of a sedative drug (rohypnol,
GHB, alcohol) will tend to develop a more generalized fear of men
- fear of intimacy
- extreme discomfort with any form of sexual activity
- fear of being in a confined area such as an elevator
- severe drop in Grade Point Average or perhaps even dropping out
of college
- feelings of self-worth may be diminished
- feelings of loss of control over life experiences
A college campus presents a unique challenge in this situation. Since
the attacker may also be a student in the school, the victim may experience
ongoing anguish regarding the attack after seeing the attacker in
class or around the campus. Often the survivors of a rape will blame
themselves for the attack. This could lead to other psychological
difficulties. Also, there is the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted
diseases. Finally, if there is a long, drawn out legal battle, this
may once again victimize the survivor.
If you are the survivor of a rape or know someone who is, be sure
to take advantage of the resources available to assist you or your
friend. As indicated, rape has not only short term but also long term
effects on the survivor:
- as you recover from the attack, attempt to define yourself as a
survivor rather than a victim. This can be more empowering.
- individual counseling can help tremendously in dealing with the
myriad of issues that can unfold over time.
- isolation could be one of your greatest enemies, so join a support
group.
- you are not responsible for someone else’s behavior nor can
you change someone else but you can help yourself.
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"Ever since I was attacked, I have
felt the need to help others by speaking out against all forms of
violence."
Anonymous, University of Miami
RISK
REDUCTION
Clearly, high risk alcohol use can have a major impact
on the behavior of the drinker. Therefore, first and foremost, careful
monitoring of your own alcohol consumption—if you choose to drink—is
critical in avoiding acquaintance rape. Although misinterpretation
is an important factor, most acquaintance rapes are planned ahead
of time by the perpetrators. By pressuring a date to drink heavily,
the attacker can render his date less capable of resisting an assault.
Besides minimizing your own alcohol consumption, there are a number
of other steps you can take to confront this danger as well:
- Many campuses offer escort services - use them! If your campus does
not offer this type of service, work with your Student Activities
Office, Counseling Services, Campus Security or any other organization
that can implement an escort service.
- Be sure you enter and leave a party with a friend. Commit to each
other that, regardless of the circumstances, you will only leave a
party with each other, and both of you will always maintain that commitment.
- Women should avoid going to a room alone with a man especially if
he has been drinking, even if it is her own room. If you do leave
a social situation, tell a friend where you are going and when you
expect to return. Cell phones can be used to maintain contact with
friends as well.
- Be assertive, direct and confident. Don't be afraid to be confrontational
and do not give mixed messages.
- Being embarrassed is better than being raped. Scream if necessary.
Some drugs can be placed in drinks without the drinker knowing it.
Here are some tips that can help you avoid being slipped some type
of drug:
- Do not leave any drinks, alcoholic or not, unattended.
- Do not take any beverages, including alcohol, from someone you do
not know well or trust.
- At a bar/club, only accept drinks from a bartender or waiter or
waitress.
- Do not accept open container drinks from anyone.
- If you feel disproportionately impaired—meaning more impaired
than you would normally be from the amount you have consumed—go
to the emergency room immediately. Bring along a sample of your drink
for analysis if possible.
Both men and women need to lookout for others who may be at risk due
to their own impairment, or the impairment of their friends, and address
the developing dangerous situation. Together they can also participate
in campus and community advocacy groups that confront sexual assault
and high risk drinking. Additionally, they can implement and/or support
education programs about sexuality and acquaintance rape. Students,
faculty and staff all need to maintain a high level of vigilance in
scrutinizing how their administrators deal with sexual assault on
their campus, especially the treatment of both the alleged perpetrators
and the victims.
In closing, I must make a plea to the men reading this book. One of
the most disturbing studies I have read regarding this topic was published
in 1991. In this study college males were asked about their attitudes
towards rape. The men were asked if they would commit acquaintance
rape if they could be assured that no one else would find out and
they would not be punished, Only 40% said they were not likely to
rape a woman if given the opportunity described. This is, to say the
least, shocking. Although female students can take steps to minimize
their risk for sexual assault, research suggests that sexual assault
is much more associated with perpetrator characteristics than it is
with victim characteristics. These characteristics include but are
not limited to sexist attitudes towards women, a belief that their
behavior is justifiable and a belief that men are entitled to sex
under certain conditions such as a “reimbursement for paying
for a date.”
Since in one study we see that one in fifteen men reported attempting
rape or having committed rape, men must be considered as part of the
solution to these repeated tragedies. Men can be instrumental in addressing
acquaintance rape and be a positive force for change on their campus
by:
- assisting campus organizations in their development of education
and prevention programs;
- speaking out regarding their own concerns about sexual assault,
especially when it is raised in a humorous fashion;
- challenging sexist and violent attitudes;
- developing and implementing healthy and low risk party guidelines
for campus organizations;
- carefully monitoring their own and their friends’ alcohol consumption;
- avoiding, and helping other men avoid, risky situations which might
place them in a position to be falsely accused of sexual assault.
Although this page has dealt primarily with male on female rape, men
also get raped. It is estimated that men represent about 7% to 10%
of all rape victims. Males are assaulted most often by other males.
However, offenders who assault males are not primarily homosexual.
About half of these offenders report having either heterosexual or
bisexual preferences.
Male victims face similar physical dangers and emotional difficulties
following a rape along with some additional challenges. Because our
society still believes that males should be strong and able to protect
themselves, males are less likely to report sexual victimization than
females. Fear of embarrassment, ridicule and rejection along with
feelings of inadequacy keep male victims from telling loved ones and
reporting the crime. In assisting, male survivors of rape, just like
women, men need support and understanding if they are to recover from
the assault.
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