What You Need to Know About Sexual Assault: An Informational Guide on What Rape and Sexual Assault Are and Where to Get Help

IF YOU HAVE BEEN RAPED OR SEXUALLY ASSAULTED,REMEMBER: IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recognizes the importance of assisting students who are survivors of sexual assault in regaining a sense of personal control over their life and the decisions they make.

Rape is a crime of violence, anger and power, which is not always motivated by sexual desire. It is one of the major violent crimes in the United States that affects the lives of thousands of people each year. However, many sexual assaults are not reported.
Sexual assault is NEVER the survivor's fault. NOBODY asks to be raped.

Legal definition of Sexual Assault:
Sexual activity by force against a person's will

(a) Sexual Activity - many different types

• Harassment (being attacked, verbal abuse…)
• Vaginal, oral, or anal penetration
• Fondling (unwanted touching, rubbing…)
• Kissing
• Exhibition (being made to do something in a sexual manner in public)

(b) Force - many different types

• Weapons (guns, knives…)
• Physical (pushing, pinning…)
• Threats (If you don't, I will…)
• Hitting
• Lies (Everyone does it this way…)
• Mental Pressure (All of your friends are doing it, You know you like it…)
• Power play in relationships (Don't you love me?, You are worthless…)

(c) Against a Person's Will - No Consent

• Punching, kicking to protect oneself
• Struggling to get away
• Saying "No!" to a specific sexual activity
• Refusing to reciprocate a sexual activity
• If under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

A Few Misconceptions and Facts:

• Misconception: If the person flirts or wears sexy clothing, she/he is "asking for it."
  Fact: Rape is NEVER the survivor's fault. NOBODY asks to be raped.
  
  
• Misconception: Only women and gay men are raped.
  Fact: Anyone is at risk of being raped. However, many more women than men are sexually assaulted.
  
  
• Misconception: Most rapes occur when people are out alone at night.
  Fact: Most rapes occur in someone's own house or apartment.
  
  
• Misconception: Rapists are usually strangers.
  Fact: 80-95% of rapes are by someone the survivor knows.
  
  
• Misconception: If the assailant, the survivor or both are drunk, the assailant cannot be charged with rape.
  Fact: IF THE SURVIVOR IS INTOXICATED, SHE/HE IS UNABLE TO GIVE CONSENT. IF SHE/HE IS UNABLE TO GIVE CONSENT, THEN IT IS RAPE.

If You or Someone You Know is Raped:

• Get to a safe place
• Get medical attention
• Call the Orange County Rape Crisis Center (OCRCC) Hotline for support: (967-7237)
• Call the police - THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT ONE HAS TO PRESS CHARGES. Blind reports are a great option!

University Resources:

Office of the Dean of Students (966-4042)

• Updates the Sexual Assault Response Plan
• Handles the 911 Phone service
• Offers programs on sexual assault, and dating violence
• Provides resources for the survivor
• Offers mediation for crisis situations
• If desired, assists in making a formal report to law enforcement agencies
• Coordinates the Student Honor Court¨ Office of the Student Attorney General (966-4084)

Student Health Services

• Women's Health Nurse Practitioner 966-3650 (day), 966-2281 (night)
• Perform exams to check for sexual transmitted diseases and collect evidence for sexual assault cases. The exam is confidential.
• Center for Healthy Student Behaviors (966-6586)
  • Offers prevention programs about sexual assault and rape

Counseling and Psychological Services (966-3658)

• Offers confidential counseling and psychological assessment.

Advocates for Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP)

• Student organization to promote awareness on sexual assault issues (asap@listserv.unc.edu)
• Plans "24 Hour Rape Free Zone" in the Fall
• Plans annual Take Back the Night March in the Spring.

NC Fellas/White Ribbon Campaign (WRC)

• Organization specifically for men to show their support in stopping men's violence against women. (ncfellas@listserv.unc.edu)

Community Resources:

The Orange County Rape Crisis Center(OCRCC)
24 HOUR RAPE CRISIS LINE: 967-7273
Offers free, confidential services to studentsCompanions are available 24 hours a day to listen, provide resources, and accompany the survivor to get medical attention or to the police station.

Emergency Numbers:

FOR EMERGENCIES CALL: 911
UNC Police/Public Safety…………………962-8100
Chapel Hill Police Dept…………….……..968-2760
Carrboro Police…………………………….918-7397
Orange County Rape Crisis Hotline..……..967-7273
Point to Point Shuttle……………………...962-7867

OTHER IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
OCRCC business line……………………..968-4647
Office of the Dean of Students……………966-4042
Student Health Services…………………..966-2281
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner..(day) 966-3650 (night) 966-2281
Counseling and Psychological Services…..966-3658
Center for Healthy Student Behaviors……966-6586

The Sexual Assault Response Plan

Under the Sexual Assault Response Plan (SARP), the offices and agencies may have their own protocol and procedure for handling sexual assaults. Each agency is also required to follow the guidelines within the Plan and to forward specified non-identifying statistical information to the Office of the Dean of Students.

The departments who are part of the SARP are:

• The Office of the Dean of Students
• The Office of the Student Attorney General
• Student Health Services
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• Academic Affairs
• Athletic Affairs
• Housing and Residential Education

These Departments have specific guidelines outlined in SARP, on how to handle reports of sexual assault. The full document of SARP can be found on the web at: http://studentaffairs.unc.edu/who_we_are/dos/policies/sexual_assault.html

The Office of the Dean of Students and Bell Atlantic Mobile have come together to continue the fight to end dating violence and sexual assault.

Bell Atlantic Mobile has donated 10 cellular phonesthat are pre-programmed and pre-paid to dial 911.The Office of the Dean of Students has arranged program for students to check-out the phones in order to increase security and make survivors or persons in danger feel more comfortable. Please contact the Office of the Dean of Students (966-4042) for more information about the program.

Safety Tips:

• Do not walk alone in the dark, or in unfamiliar places
• Lock your doors when you get in your car
• Always keep your residence hall room or apartment locked
• Always be aware of your surroundings
• Don't accept an open drink from someone you don't know, or trust
• Communicate openly and clearly what your sexual limits are to the other person
• If you feel uncomfortable or suspicious about the person you are with, or about your surroundings, leave the situation.
• Trust your instincts