Tips like these tend to make individuals feel blamed if a sexual assault occurs. It is never the Complainant’s fault, and these tips are offered in the hope that recognizing patterns can help individuals to reduce the risk of victimization. That said, only a rapist or an empowered bystander can intervene to prevent a rape or assault. Generally, an assault by a known offender will follow a four-step pattern:
- An individual’s personal space is violated in some way. For example, the perpetrator may touch the individual in a way that does not feel comfortable.
- If the Complainant does not express discomfort, the perpetrator may begin to view the individual as an easy target because they are not acting assertively.
- The perpetrator may take the potential target to a location that is secluded and where the person is vulnerable.
- The individual feels trapped or unable to be assertive and is raped or assaulted.
Decisive action early in an encounter may be the key to avoiding rape. An individual who can combine assertiveness and self-defense skills, who is self-confident and definite in his/her interactions with others, is less likely to become a target of rape. If the individual can assertively defend his/her rights initially, they has a better chance of avoiding being raped than does a person who resorts to techniques such as pleading or trying to talk the perpetrator out of it. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable sexual situation, these suggestions may help you to reduce your risk:
- Make your limits known before things go too far.
- Give clear messages. Say “yes” when you mean yes and “no” when you mean no. Leave no room for misinterpretation. Tell a sexual aggressor “NO” clearly and loudly.
- Try to extricate yourself from the physical presence of a sexual aggressor.
- Grab someone nearby and ask for help.
- Be responsible for your alcohol intake/drug use and realize that alcohol/drugs lower your sexual inhibitions and may make you more vulnerable to someone who views a drunk or high person as a sexual opportunity.
- Watch out for your friends and ask that they watch out for you. A real friend will get in your face if you are about to make a mistake. Respect them if they do.
- Be aware of any nonverbal messages you may be sending that conflict with what you are saying. Notice your tone of voice, gestures, and eye contact.
- Be forceful and firm when necessary. Don’t be concerned with being polite. Your passivity may be interpreted as permission or approval for this behavior.
- Do not acquiesce to something you do not want just to avoid unpleasantness. Do not allow “politeness” to trap you in a dangerous situation. This is not the time to be concerned about hurt feelings.
- Trust your feelings or instincts. If a situation does not feel comfortable to you or you feel anxious about the way your date is acting, you need to respond. Leave immediately if necessary.
If you find yourself in the position of being the initiator of sexual behavior, you owe sexual respect to your potential partner. These suggestions may help you to reduce your risk for being accused of sexual misconduct:
- Do not make assumptions about the following:
- Consent
- Someone’s sexual availability;
- Whether a person is attracted to you;
- How far you can go; or
- Whether a person is physically and mentally able to consent to you.
- Clearly communicate your intentions to your sexual partner and give them a chance to clearly relate their intentions to you.
- Mixed messages from your partner should be a clear indication that you should step back, defuse the sexual tension, and communicate better. Perhaps you are misreading your partner. Perhaps your partner has not figured out how far they want to go with you yet. You need to respect the timeline with which your partner is comfortable.
Sex Offenders
In accordance with the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000, which amends the Jacob Wetterling crimes against children and sexually violent offender registration act, the Jeanne Clery Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy act of 1974, Otis College of Art and Design is providing a link to the California State Sex Offender Registry. All sex offenders are required to register in the state of California and to provide notice of each institution of higher education in California at which the person is employed, carries a vocation, or is a student. See www.meganslaw.ca.gov.
In addition to the above notice to the state of California, all sex offenders are required to deliver written notice of their status as a sex offender to the College’s Dean of Student Affairs no later than five (5) business days prior to their enrollment on the College. Such
notification may be disseminated by the College to, and for the safety and well-being of, the Otis College community, and may be considered by the College for enrollment and discipline purposes.