Rape and sexual assault are not just a woman's problem. Sexual assault happens everywhere, everyday and every minute to women and men of all ages. Research has found that:

• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men have been the victim of rape or attempted rape.
• 80% of the victims knew their assailants.
• 85% or more of sexual assaults involve alcohol.

Rape is everyone's problem, and we can only solve it through the efforts of women and men working together. Take the time now to learn the facts about rape and what you can do.

Reducing the Risk of Committing Sexual Assault:

• Listen carefully. Take time to hear what the other person has to say. If you feel s/he is not being direct or is giving you a “mixed message”, ask for clarification.
• Communication is key. Ask before engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity. Understand that alcohol and drug consumption hinder the ability to give consent to sexual activity.
• If your partner says “no” to sexual contact, ALWAYS believe them and stop.
• Remember that sexual assault is a crime. It is never acceptable to force sexual activity, no matter what the circumstances.
• Don’t make assumptions about a person’s behavior. Don’t assume that someone wants to have sex because of the way they are dressed, they drink (or drink too much), or agree to go to your room. Don’t assume that if someone has had sex with you before that they want to have sex with you again. Also don’t assume that if your partner consents to kissing or other sexual activities, they are consenting to all sexual activities.
• Be aware that having sex with someone who is mentally or physically incapable of giving consent is rape. If you have sex with someone who is drugged, intoxicated, passed out, or is otherwise incapable of saying no or knowing what is going on around them, you may be guilty of rape.
• Be careful in group situations; resist pressure from friends to participate in violent acts.

Reducing Your Risk of Being Sexually Assaulted:

• Listen to your gut feelings. If you feel threatened, leave the situation and go to a safe place.
• If you can, make a scene if you feel threatened – don’t worry about hurting someone’s feelings. If you feel you are being pressured or coerced into sexual activity, don’t hesitate to state your feelings and leave the situation.
• If you drink, drink responsibly: eat a full meal before going out, have a glass of water between each drink, stick to one type of alcoholic beverage, know your limits and don’t go beyond them, have a designated driver, and don’t let anyone else make the decision of how much you will drink.
• Make sure you have friends who have your back, especially when you’re drinking.
• Avoid people who do not respect women and/or are homophobic. Don’t hang out with them, and don’t invite them into your home.
• If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. Check out our Resource Directory for more local contact information.

What You Can Do To Protect Our Community:

• Get involved if you believe that someone is at risk. If you see someone in trouble or someone pressuring another person, don’t be afraid to intervene.
• Make it clear to your friends that you don’t think it’s okay to force someone to have sex, no matter what.
• Don’t ever tell others to lie or manipulate to get sex. Tell your friends that if you have to get someone drunk, threaten them, or pester them to ‘get’ sex, they don’t really want it and neither person will enjoy it.
• Don’t pressure your friends to have sex. Sex should be a private decision, not a game or an expression of dominance.
• Take responsibility for finding out what your partner does and doesn’t want to do sexually. Assume that silence means no, and stop to ask if specific sexual activities are desired.
• Watch out for your friends, especially if they’ve been drinking or doing drugs.
• Be an active ally. Challenge behaviors and attitudes that promote sexual violence and reinforce gender stereotypes.
• Do not tolerate or participate in “jokes” about sexual assault.

Remember: No one deserves to be raped. Perpetrators are responsible for their own actions. Survivors are never to blame.