Sexual Assault Prevention & Information

What is the difference between Sexual Assault and rape?

There is no difference. Sexual assault and rape both refer to sexual intercourse against the will of another person. However, under Texas law, "sexual assault," not "rape," is the legal term used to define and prosecute sexual acts that are not consensual. Consenting sex requires sober, verbal communication without intimidation or threats.

What is date rape?

Acquaintance assault, commonly known as "date rape," occurs when someone you know forces you to have sexual intercourse against your will.

What can you do if you have been raped?

• Go to a safe place.
• Call someone you trust to be with you, like a rape crisis counselor, friend or parent.
• Call the local or campus police.
• Don't shower, bathe, or douche after the attack.
• Seek care at a hospital.
• Preserve other physical evidence, such as clothing.
• Consider filing charges against your attacker.

How do you help someone who has been sexually assaulted?

If you know someone who has been a victim of rape, you may notice that the person seems to act differently--withdrawn, afraid, or unsure. You may feel angry or upset. What can you do?

• Listen. A good counselor or friend knows how to listen and not speak. Concentrate your energy and attention on their feelings, not your own.
• Try not to judge: "If I had been in your situation, I would have..." "Why did you go in there?"
  Avoid "fixing" your friend. Help your friend make a list of options, and let her or him decide what to do (even if you don't agree with it).
• Don't rush the healing process just to make yourself more comfortable. People need time to heal. Be patient.
• Encourage your friend to seek help from a counselor where the services are professional, confidential and free (i.e., UT Counseling and Mental Health Center, Austin Rape Crisis Center). As a loved one of a rape survivor, you may also desire counseling and advice.

Tips to Help Prevent Sexual Assault

Enter into situations wisely, try to get to know the people that you want to become friends with before you invite them into your rooms or be alone with them.

• Always report suspicious people or unusual activities immediately to the police.
• When you must go out after dark on campus try to get a friend to walk with you or call the police for an escort.
• Assume responsibility for yourself. It would be nice if someone would always be there to protect us, but there will be times when you will be alone, so learn to be cautious.
• Remain calm and act confident when you feel you're being followed on foot.
• Stay in well-lit areas, let the person know you're aware of them, step up your pace. If possible go to a nearby house and ask for help.
• Escape if you are attacked, use whatever you can to get away as fast as you can: yell, kick, throw up, get attention.
• If all fails and you are raped, report it as soon as possible to the police. Do not bathe or change clothing, you could destroy valuable evidence. And remember, an unreported rape goes unsolved and leaves the rapist free to rape again.

Rape and Alcohol

• Alcohol makes talking and listening more difficult. It is common for individuals under the influence to lose their ability to communicate clearly and effectively. A person who is under the influence may have a hard time understanding and accurately interpreting someone else's behavior and actions. Research has found when men are under the influence of alcohol, they are likely to interpret a variety of verbal and nonverbal cues as evidence that a woman is interested in having sex with him. These assumptions can be dangerous. Additionally, it's hard to be assertive when you are drunk.
• Alcohol impairs judgment and inhibits clear thinking. This makes it harder to assess risk. Often alcohol causes people to misread situations or emotions. Also, when drinking, people may forget their common sense and values.
• Alcohol can increase aggression. There is a clear tie between alcohol and violence. Between 75 and 90 percent of all violence on campus is alcohol-related. Alcohol itself doesn't cause violence but some people who drink it are more likely to act out their violent feelings. Some people mistakenly think alcohol makes them powerful or aggressive. Also, rapists often target a female who is drinking, frequently planning to ply her with alcohol.