As part of Student Services's thematic Free Block and other activities on sexual assault prevention, it is important to recall a few of the principles that underlies this issue.
Sexual assault is not a light case. In the United States, it makes one victim every 109 seconds, totalizing hundreds of thousands of people being yearly affected. However, only 6 out of 1,000 rapists are actually incarcerated for their actions.*
Reading this is quite shocking, well, at the very least, it was shocking for me when I first heard about it. Nonetheless, it helps realizing how sexual assault is a serious issue, present even more than what we usually may preconceive.
Luckily, we can all be aware of deviant actions or comments to help protecting ourselves and others against assaults. I am hereby proposing five simple tips adapted from the American Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) to promote safety in our college and in society. Following these may help reducing risks of being victim of various crimes including sexual assault.
These tricks may be remembered using the acronym LORAD, one letter standing for each piece of advice.
L for Limits
In social contexts such as parties or social dances it is crucial to know your limits. Be familiar with the number of drinks you can have before becoming tipsy and lowering your alertness. If you think that you or one of your friends has gone past this limit and is acting strangely, you might want to leave the situation.
O for Okay to lie
Should you ever feel that the situation in which you are is risky, awkward or dangerous, do not hesitate to lie. Do not be scared to disappoint the person. Invent a plausible explanation to leave the person (such as not feeling well, having an appointment otherwise located or need to take care of a friend or family member). Also, do not be shy to lie to protect a friend or someone you know in a possible dangerous situation.
R for Resources
Be aware of the resources available for you and your friends should you ever need any help. For instance, locate the emergency phones in the college. Besides, it may be useful to know the available human resources such as psychologists in the Health and Wellness committee in Student Services on campus.
A for Alertness
Always stay alert of your surroundings. Look up away your cellphone once in a while and be aware of risky situations around you. When alone, if listening to music, it is best to keep earphones in one ear only to stay aware of surrounding activity.
D for Drink
In social events or parties always protect your drink, as sexual perpetrators may infiltrate undetectable drugs or other substances in it. If you can, also watch your friends' drinks. Drink only from sterile, unopened containers or drinks you have seen poured.
It is all our role to exhibit such safe behaviours, and it is also our role to denounce dangerous situations. Simply observing as a bystander makes one accomplice of abusive behaviours.
Finally, I am providing a non-exclusive list of symptoms that a victim of sexual assault may exhibit. Recognizing the following warning signs are key to appropriately helping one in such a case:
- Overwhelming anxiety, signs of depression, self-harming behaviour
- Signs of physical abuse
- Changes in appetite, eating habits or weight gain or loss
- Decrease of self-care
I need not write that, should you ever observe these warning signs on a friend, family member or anyone else, please do not hesitate to intervene. Communicating with a person in such a situation may not be easy, yet it is the duty of each and every one of us to take action and to help these individuals. This may be done by staying open and referring them to skilled professionals such as the college's psychologists in Student Services.
* Statistics from: "About Sexual Assault." Rainn. https://www.rainn.org/about-sexual-assault. Accessed 21 Sept. 2016.
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