Rape Statistics:

• Acquaintance rape is more common than left-handedness, heart attacks or alcoholism.
• One in four college women are the victims of attempted rape.
• 80% of rapes by college students involve a victim the offender knows.
• 90% of all sexual violence involves an offender of the same race as the victim.
• 27% of all reported rapes occur in the victim's home. An additional 20% occur at, in, or near a friend's home or a relative's home.
• 50% of rapes take place during the day.

Definitions:

Sexual Assault:
Attempted or actual sexual activity against the will of another.

Forcible Sex Offense:
Any sexual act directed against another person, by threat or force and/or against that person's will, or when the survivor is incapable of giving consent (i.e. is unconscious, mentally incompetent, or intoxicated), including forcible rape, forcible sodomy, gang rape, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling.

Non-forcible Sex Offense:
Coerced sexual activity.

Acquaintance Rape/Date Rape:
Nonconsensual sexual intercourse between acquainted individuals, forcibly or non-forcibly, depending upon the circumstances.

Consent:
Positive cooperation in act, behavior or words, in the course of having sexual activity, so long as both parties are acting freely and voluntarily and understand the nature of the activity. Consent cannot be implied if either participant is unable to provide positive cooperation due to unconsciousness, mental incompetence, age, or intoxication. Also a lack of protest or previous cooperation does not imply consent.

Tips if you have been sexually assaulted:

• Get to a safe place as soon as you can.
• Try to preserve all physical evidence. DO NOT wash, comb your hair, brush your teeth, use the toilet, or change clothing, if you can avoid it. If you do change clothing, put each item of clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault in separate paper bags, not plastic.
• Call to get help and access resources. The university has a specially trained group of professional staff members who are able to help you understand your options regarding medical attention, legal implications, and university disciplinary action. You can contact:  The P.E.A.C.E. project at 724-938-5707.
• Contact someone you trust to be with you and to support you. This may be a close friend, a family member, a resident assistant, or an advocate.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible. A medical examination will provide any necessary treatment and collect important evidence. Injuries may not be immediately apparent.
• Consider reporting the crime to the University or local police. A friend/loved one/advocate can accompany you to the police station. Once you report the incident, you can choose whether or not to press charges. If you have questions contact The P.E.A.C.E. project, SSART, or another hotline to get more information about what to expect when reporting an incident.

Remember:

Abuse is not your fault.
You are not alone.
FREE & CONFIDENTIAL help is available at
The P.E.A.C.E. project

California University of Pennsylvania
The P.E.A.C.E. Project
G45 Carter Hall
California, PA 15419
Telephone: (724) 938-5707

Email: peace@calu.edu