Page 111 - Keys to College Success

friend, or a family member. Females between
33
the ages of 18 and 24 are more likely to be
stalked, harassed, or sexually assaulted than any
other age group. In fact, most sexual assaults
among that age range occur on college campuses
or on dates. 34
Rape—a person having nonconsensual sexual activity with another—is not about
sex, it’s about exerting power, and it’s a crime. Rape is not caused by the victim’s behav-
ior or clothing, any more than auto theft is caused by the owner of the car. It can hap-
pen on a date, at home, or at a party. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel
powerless or threatened, leave immediately. If you feel afraid to leave by yourself, call a
friend or call a cab. And if you see that someone is being inappropriate or offensive
toward another, show your disapproval and publicly interrupt the behavior as best you
can. If necessary, call for help.
If you are assaulted, tell someone you trust right away. Call the Rape and Incest
National Network (RAINN) hotline to find the phone number of a local rape crisis
center so you can talk to someone. If you want to report the assault to the police, you
can do that as well, preferably with a supportive person accompanying you. Get
ongoing counseling to help you deal with your feelings and eventually move from
being a victim to becoming a survivor. Rape-crisis centers specialize in this type of
counseling. One Student, an organization founded by Kelly Addington and Becca
Tieder, provides resources, facts, and programs for college students around the
nation, aiming to educate students and create a future in which sexual assaults no
longer occur. 35

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