S.A.V.E. Project Facts, Statistics, and Rape Prevention Tips

Definition of Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault comes in many forms. Some of these include: stranger rape, date rape, psychological pressure to have sex, sexual abuse, incest, molestation, and attempted rape.

Dating/Domestic Violence involves a variety of behaviors that may start off subtle, but almost always become more severe. Some to watch for are: if your partner acts jealous, possessive, tries to isolate you, grabs, shakes, slaps, punches, kicks, threatens you, or is verbally or emotionally mean or abusive to you.

What the Law States

First Degree Rape
A male has committed the crime of rape in the first degree if:

• He engages in sexual intercourse with a female by forcible compulsion.
• He engages in sexual intercourse with a female who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated.
• He, being 16 years or older, engages in sexual intercourse with a female who is less than 12 years old.

Second Degree Rape
A male has committed the crime of rape in the second degree if:

• Being 16 years or older, he engages in sexual intercourse with a female less than 16 years old and more than 12 years old; provided, however, the actor is at least two years older than the female.
• He engages in sexual intercourse with a female who is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally defective.

Statistics

• One of 7 women in college currently have been raped.
• More than half college rape victims know their attacker.
• Somewhere in America, a woman is raped every 2 minutes.
• Only 26 percent of all rapes are reported to the police.
• One of 4 rapes takes place in a public area or in a parking garage.
• About 31 percent of female victims report that the offender was a stranger.
• About 68 percent of rapes occur between 6pm and 6am.
• At least 45 percent of rapists were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• One in 12 college men admit to actions that meet the legal definitions of rape.
• Fifty-seven percent of rape victims are attacked by dates.
• More than HALF of raped college women tell no one of their victimization.
• Only 1 percent of male students who rape are prosecuted.
• A woman is 10 times more likely to be raped than killed in a car crash.

If You have been Raped

• Remain calm and alert.
• Get to a safe place: home, apartment, dorm room, or home of trusted friend.
• Because physical evidence is of utmost importance:
• DO NOT change your clothes.
• DO NOT shower, bathe, or douche.
• DO NOT brush your teeth.
• DO NOT apply medication to injuries, unless absolutely necessary.
• DO NOT disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred.
• Make certain to get MEDICAL ATTENTION.
• Call someone to be with you.
• Call your local rape crisis center (our number is 670-3700 or 3221).
• Write down as much as you can remember while its still fresh on your mind.
• Be sure to seek counseling.

Prevention Tips

• Make sure all entries to your home are well lit.
  
• All windows should be in place and locked.
• There should be strong locks on every door.
• Be aware of places men might hide: under steps, between buildings and shrubs.
• Always know who is knocking at the door.
• When returning home at night, have your keys ready before you get to the door.
• At night, don't walk through dark parking lots.
• Don't walk through a group of men, walk around them, or if possible, cross the street.
• Don't walk alone if you're upset or drunk.
• DO NOT HITCHHIKE.
• If you have a car, check beneath it and in the back seats.

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Questions or comments? Contact the S.A.V.E. Project at (334) 670-3700.