Women’s Safety at Susquehanna
University
Safety is an
important concern for women on any college campus. Although safety may seem like a trivial concern in a rural
location, Susquehanna is not immune to widespread safety problems such as assault
and rape. Even on such a small campus,
women may feel uneasy walking alone at night or going to a party with
strangers. And even at Susquehanna, some women experience the nightmare of date
rape.
While safety is
a genuine concern no matter where you are, there are some simple, practical
ways you can look out for yourself.
This page should provide an overview of how to promote personal safety
and how to effectively handle threats to that safety. If you are ever a victim of rape, assault, or other violent
crime, this page will refer you to convenient resources that can help you cope.
Page
sections:
What is rape?
Simply defined, rape is any kind of forced sexual
contact. “Forced” means that the rapist
ignored the victim’s objections and/or resistance in performing the act. Weapons do not need to be involved to
qualify the act as forced. “Sexual
contact” includes intercourse as well as the use of foreign objects to
penetrate the body in a sexual manner.
How is date rape different?
In date rape, the act of forced sexual contact remains the
same, but the term “date rape” means the victim knew or was acquainted with the
rapist before the incident. Being
familiar with the rapist may create a false comfort zone for the victim, and it
may be more difficult to recognize or act on danger signals. Although it may be difficult or considered
“not nice,” exercising caution when meeting or going out with someone new may
help identify controlling or manipulative tendencies in that person’s
personality. If you feel at all
uncomfortable or unsure about someone, it may be best to avoid one-on-one
contact in a private place.
Still, even with the most diligent prevention, the worst
can (and does) happen to innocent victims.
Many victims of date rape blame themselves for being raped, thinking
that they must have “asked for it” or somehow led the rapist too far. Remember that rape victims are NEVER to blame! “Date rape” is still rape, and can be
reported and prosecuted as a serious crime.
Who is at risk?
Rape can happen to anyone (female, male, old,
young—literally anyone),
but there are steps you can take to reduce your own risk of becoming a rape
victim. See the safety
tips section for ways to protect yourself and maybe even your friends.
Some quick statistics:
·
Approximately 1 in 4 women in
the U.S. are victims of rape or attempted rape before their mid-20s.
·
Around 1 in 7 boys are
sexually abused before age 18.
·
At least one woman in the U.S.
is forcibly raped every minute.
Where can I report rape?
If you have been raped, report the incident to authorities IMMEDIATELY. (Find phone
numbers for the SU campus area in the campus resources
section.) While it may be difficult to
resist the urge, do NOT
shower, change clothing, apply makeup, or do anything else that might damage or
remove physical evidence of rape.
Authorities examine rape victims for body hair, traces of semen, or
other physical cues to confirm the rapist’s identity. Seek medical attention after the examination if you have
been injured.
How can I recover emotionally from rape?
It is important to talk to someone you trust. Discussing your feelings and personal
reactions to rape is crucial in the healing process. This may take time, so
make sure you’re comfortable with the person before sharing your
experience. Friends and family can
offer a sympathetic ear, and experienced professionals can also help through
hotlines, counseling centers, and independent practitioners. Susquehanna University students can schedule
an appointment with the Counseling
Center at no cost.
Where can rape victims find help?
Don’t overlook family and friends as sources of support,
but counseling centers and private psychiatrists can also help. Hotlines and Internet sites also give many
types of assistance, ranging from offering on-the-spot counseling to helping
find local rape crisis centers. See the
Campus Resources section for Susquehanna campus and regional
information.
Group
situations:
·
When you go to a party, go
with a small group of friends. Agree to
keep an eye out for one another, and agree to leave as a group if someone feels
uncomfortable.
·
Watch your drink, and your drinking. Never leave a drink unattended, and never let someone else get a
drink for you. This helps prevent the
risk of exposure to drug-contaminated drinks.
Keep track of the amount of alcohol that you and your friends drink,
because drinking too much can leave you vulnerable in a dangerous
situation.
By
yourself:
·
Walk well-lit streets or paths at night, and take
paths you know instead of trying new shortcuts in the dark.
·
ALWAYS be aware of
your surroundings.
·
Carry a loud sound device (whistle, pocket
alarm, etc.) in an easily accessible place.
Yelling or screaming alone may not be an effective defense or deterrent
to an assailant.
·
Pepper spray is often used against the victim who
carries it. Be aware that this and
similar “defense” tools can be used against you in the event of an assault, and
remember that drawing attention to yourself and your situation is a more
effective prevention strategy.
·
If you suspect that you are being followed, go immediately
to a well-lit, indoor (if possible) area with people around. REPORT your suspicion immediately to
authorities. (Check the campus phone list to
find out phone locations on the SU campus.)
·
Take self-defense classes. Don’t be afraid to use them in a dangerous
situation. Information about local
self-defense classes is available at the Women’s Resource Center. Keep an eye out for sessions offered at
SU!
·
When you leave your room or your house,
especially at night, make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you’ll
be back. Keep in touch with them if
plans change.
·
Know emergency phone numbers. If you have a cell phone, keep these numbers
programmed for easy access. Always keep
enough change in your pocket or purse for a pay phone call.
Phone numbers:
·
Public Safety: x4444 (372-4444)
·
Local police: 911 or 374-8655
·
Snyder County Emergency Services:
911 or 837-1131
·
State police: 374-8145
·
Rape crisis line:
1-800-850-7948 (Susquehanna
Valley Women in Transition—SVWIT)
·
Off-campus counseling:
(570) 784-6631 (Bloomsburg
location)
· National Sexual Assault
Crisis Center: 1-800-656-HOPE
Other ways to contact someone:
·
Emergency online counseling: http://rapecrisis.txcyber.com/
This site brings you to a page where you can ask for information about your problem, or simply inquire about a counselor. The site will reply to your questions within 24 hours via e-mail.
·
Talk to the SU Health Center to get a local
referral.
·
Campus phone locations: http://www.susqu.edu/womenspeak/phones.html
This site is a report from the SU Womenspeak Safety committee, who recorded the condition and location of all phones available in and around campus facilities. Make sure you know places around you where you can contact someone in case of emergency.
Where to go for help:
·
The Counseling Center at
Susquehanna University can help rape victims cope. Check out their link for more information
about sexual assault.
·
The Women’s Resource Center,
part of the Womenspeak project,
can direct you to local resources or be a resource itself. A volunteer staff member is available 10-8
Monday-Thursday and 10-4 Friday.
·
The Womenspeak
project house, 604 University Avenue, is open to anyone seeking help or
guidance about sexual assault. Members
of WomenSpeak are in residence and available as a resource for victims.
·
For SU campus safety information, consult the
Student Handbook for general policies, or consult WomenSpeak on their Safety Committee findings.
·
The Susquehanna University Health Center has more information
about rape facts and personal safety.
SOURCES:
Susquehanna University Health Center and
Counseling Center
WomenSpeak project at Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University Crime Report 2000-2001
Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition
(SVWIT)
The
Brazos County Rape Crisis Center, Inc.
Online: http://rapecrisis.txcyber.com/
This page created October 2001 by Jody Stegens and Colleen
Kennedy