Most rapes and sexual assaults are committed by acquaintances. The following suggestions for preventing assault offer only a first line of defense against sexual assault. In dating situations, avoiding sexual assault first requires that both parties communicate very clearly.
Be Assertive, Direct and Clear
- Be aware of what you are communicating non-verbally. Body language
can confuse the verbal message you are trying to give.
- Be explicit about reaching an understanding with a friend or
date. Don't assume an earlier understanding still holds true.
Remember: knowing someone, even intimately, is no defense against
a charge of sexual assault. Sex without consent is considered
rape, whether the coercion used is physical or emotional. Acquaintance
rape is a criminal offense.
- Don't accept a ride from someone you have just met, no matter
how nice he/she may seem.
- Remember that alcohol and drugs impair not only your judgment
but also your ability to make that judgment clear to someone
else. If you are socializing with a group that is using alcohol
or drugs, their judgment, and their ability to understand you,
also will be impaired.
- On college campuses across the country, alcohol and/or drugs
play a major role in 79 percent of sexual assault incidents.
Be Informed
The College prohibits sexual assault committed by a student, faculty member, staff member or visitor against any student, faculty member, staff member or visitor on property owned or rented by Ripon College or in the setting of any program sponsored by Ripon College. All members of the Ripon College community should understand that forced intercourse or other unwelcome or unwanted contact, whether it involves a stranger or an acquaintance, is sexual assault. The use of alcohol or other drugs by either party is not an extenuating circumstance and will not mitigate the responsibility of a person found to have committed sexual assault.
In an effort to prevent and eliminate sexual assault, the College distributes a statement of their policy on Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence, as well as an outline of the procedure to follow in the event of an alleged sexual assault to every student, faculty member and staff member through the Student Handbook and the Faculty/Staff Handbook.
All students, as part of new student orientation, are offered
and encouraged to attend a presentation from the Harassment
Resolution Committee which deals with the issues of sexual
harassment and sexual assault. Students, faculty and staff
are offered and encouraged to attend training sessions on the
subject of sexual assault and sexual harassment. The Harassment
Resolution Committee also offers outreach programs for any
living group who requests such services.
Students should consult with the residence hall staff, College counselor or dean of students staff for further information
on the Harassment Resolution Committee.
For information about sex offenders living in our area,
please visit the following Web site: http://offender.doc.state.wi.us/public/home.jsp
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