Many people may not know that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and one group on campus is here to change that. PAVE (Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment) is a student organization that aims to educate the public about sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking on campus. Considering that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience sexual assault in their lifetime, these are topics that need to be addressed in the campus community. That’s what PAVE is here for, especially this month.
The term “sexual assault” gets tossed around frequently, but not everybody knows what it really means. It is defined as engaging in any kind of sexual contact or activity with someone who has not given consent, from unwanted touching to rape. Consent is a clear and freely given “yes,” not the absence of a “no.” Beyond the definition, there are undoubtedly many questions regarding sexual assault. Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions:
What if both people involved are drunk?
When both parties involved have recently consumed alcohol, it’s especially important to get consent. Whenever alcohol is involved, be aware of the signs that your partner does not have the mental capacity to give consent such as slurring words, stumbling or short-term memory loss. It’s always important to get consent for all sexual acts, not just sex itself, because consent is an ongoing process of communication. This includes acts ranging from unwanted kissing or groping to rape, and everything in the middle. In addition, although 25 percent women will be sexually assaulted over the course of their lifetime, only 5 percent of men are perpetrators. This means that this small group of male perpetrators are repeat offenders, and these acts are not accidental. In fact, some perpetrators use alcohol to either justify their actions or make their victims more vulnerable.
If there is no violence or force involved is it still considered rape?
Rape or sexual assault does not always involve physical force. Some perpetrators use coercion, or emotional or psychological force, to manipulate an individual into participating in sexual activity. Always remember that a coerced “yes” does not equal consent! Coercion can be very subtle, and may include pressuring someone, like not allowing them to leave or even threatening them.
What if I was sexually assaulted after drinking alcohol and I’m underage? Is it possible to get a ticket if I report the assault? According to the university’s Responsible Action Guidelines, it is standard practice for the UWPD to not give an underage consumption ticket to a victim of sexual assault if they choose to report the incident to the police. If you’re not comfortable reporting the incident to the UWPD, you can also report a sexual assault to the Dean of Students who will not report to the police unless you give them permission. There are many other resources available on campus for those affected by sexual assault, including University Health Services, as well as the Rape Crisis Center of Dane County and its 24-hour crisis line.
Want to know more about PAVE, SAAM, or sexual assault? You can find PAVE on Facebook (facebook.com/pave.uw) and Tumblr (pave-uw.tumblr.com) to learn about events, volunteer opportunities, and general meetings!
Louisa Lincoln is also a sports reporter for The Daily Cardinal. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
