Prevention Tips

It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure our community is free from sexual misconduct.  The following strategies are provided to assist you in having healthy and safe sexual encounters and to avoid potentially unsafe and dangerous situations.

Prevention:  What You Can Do to Help Stop Sexual Misconduct

If you find yourself in the position of being the initiator of sexual behavior, you must show sexual respect to your potential partner(s) and yourself.  These suggestions will help you obtain mutual and Affirmative Consent:

1. Clearly communicate your intentions to the other person and give them a chance to clearly communicate their intentions to you.
2. Listen carefully. Take time to hear what the other person has to say.  If you feel you are receiving unclear or conflicting messages from the other person, you should stop in order to reduce any sexual tension and communicate better.
3. Do not assume that you have consented to sexual activity just because someone leaves or goes to a private location with you.
4. Understand and respect personal boundaries.  Do not pressure a potential partner.   Do not fall for the cliché that states, "If they say no, then they really mean yes."  If the other person says “no” or show uncertainty  to sexual activity, believe them and stop.

5. Don’t make assumptions about the following topics: consent, someone’s sexual availability, whether they are attracted to you, how far you can go, or whether they are physically and/or mentally able to consent. If there are any questions or ambiguity, then you DO NOT have consent. Stop immediately and communicate.  Don’t take advantage of someone’s drunken, drugged, or otherwise incapacitated state because they are unable to give consent. Remember individuals are unable to consent if they are under the age of 18

6. Realize that your potential partner could be intimidated by you or fearful. You may have a power advantage simply because of your gender, status, or size. Don’t abuse that power and communicate.

7. Understand that consent to one form of sexual activity does not constitute consent for any other sexual activity. You must obtain consent at each stage of sexual activity. 
   

8. Silence and passivity cannot be interpreted as an indication of consent.  Read the other person carefully and pay attention to verbal and non‐verbal communication and body language.  If it is not clear by the other person’s words and/or actions that they are a willing participant in that specific activity then you need to stop and discuss.
   

Protection Tips

Protection:  How to Mitigate Your Risk

It is never your fault if someone takes sexual advantage of you. These strategies are provided with no intention to victim‐blame and with the recognition that only those who commit sexual misconduct are responsible for such conduct.  The following suggestions are intended to help reduce your risk of experiencing sexual misconduct.

1. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe about a person or situation, trust your gut and remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible.
2. Be aware of your alcohol intake and/or other drug use and understand that your consumption of those substances can be used as a tool by a perpetrator. Alcohol and/or other drugs could be used to make you vulnerable to someone who views a drunk or high person as a non-consensual sexual opportunity.
3. Don’t leave your drink unattended and don’t accept drinks from someone you don’t know or trust.  If you’ve left your drink alone, just get a new one. Trust your feelings, and remember it is probably wrong if it feels wrong. 
   
4. Know your sexual limits and assert your boundaries as soon as possible.
5. If you do not want to engage in a particular activity, tell the other person “NO” clearly and firmly.
   
6. Try to remove yourself from the physical presence of a sexual aggressor, if you can do so safely.  If someone is nearby, ask for help or (if it is safe to do so) text or call someone.
7. Watch out for your friends and ask that they do so for you.  A real friend will step in and challenge you if they see you are in a potentially dangerous situation. Respect them when they do.  If a friend seems "out of it", is too intoxicated, or is acting out of character, get your friend to a safe place immediately.
8. Don’t go somewhere with someone you don’t know well.  If you do leave a party with a new friend, tell the friends you came with where you are going and when you are coming back.