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"We should not have to feel unsafe on our campus."

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"We should not have to feel unsafe on our campus."

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Sexual assault involving university students is a significant and prevailing problem. In Australian universities it has been reported that 6.9% of students were sexually assaulted on at least one occasion in 2015 or 2016. While a total of 1.6% of students stated they were sexually assaulted in a university setting. Sexual assault can leave the victim feeling depressed, guilty, develop a loss of self-esteem, suffer social isolation, develop a trust for others, develop substance abuse, and impact their grades and courses (Australian Human Rights Commission,2017; End Rape on Campus,2017)

Unfortunately, university communities and campuses are areas of high risk or "hot spots" in regards to sexual assault.

To minimise the risk of sexual assault on campus, some important discussion points and preventive means need to be considered.

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Sexual assault covers an extensive range of unwanted sexual behaviours. Often or not they are a means to humiliate, exert power, and exert control over the victim. Aspects of sexual assault include:

·     Complete rape, in the form of oral, vaginal or anal penetration.

·     Attempted rape

·     Attempted coercion

·     Non-consensual sexual contact

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Often or not, sexual assault extends from sexual harassment. One in five (21%) students were sexually harassed in a university setting in 2016. Statistics also show that sexual harassment mainly occurred in (AHRC,2017; EROC,2017)

·     14% on university grounds

·     13% in university teaching spaces

·     8% in University spaces

Sexual harassment may include:

·     Deliberately brushing up against you or unwelcome touching

·     Suggest comments or jokes

·     Intrusive questions or statements about your private life

·     Insults or taunts in a sexual nature

·     Requests for sex or repeated unwanted requests for date

·     Sending sexually explicit images or text messages

·     Behaviour that is of a criminal offence. This includes physical assault, indecent exposure, sexual assault, stalking, or obscene communications

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No one is immune to sexual assault and sexual harassment. It can affect any student or university staff member. Women are predominantly the victims of sexual assaults. However, men are also victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment. Other individuals who make up the primary number of victims include students who are associated with the LGBTIQ community, and international students.

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There is a misconception that the perpetrator is predominantly a stranger or strangers. Unfortunately, the perpetrator(s) could be some of your fellow classmates, tutors, lecturers, new and old acquaintances, or friends.

·     51% of students who were sexually assaulted knew the perpetrator (AHRC,2017).

According to a number of sexual assault survivors, once they disclosed their incident, they learned that their attacker was known to have assaulted,or had attempted to assault one or several other students beforehand (EROC,2017)

Studies have shown that men who have committed sexual assaults are more likely than other men to feel hostile towards women, endorse rape myths and archaic beliefs about the relationships between women and men, have peers who accept violence towards women, have low empathy, have casual attitudes about sex, and have witnessed or experienced a form of abuse as a child (Abbey,2005).

It has been reported that a number of tactics have been used by perpetrators. This includes;

. Used tactics to gain trust, as well as access. Some cases that have been reported involved a perpetrator allowing a victim to wait in his dorm after she was locked out of hers, he then raped her. While another involved a victim who allowed a male acquaintance to walk her back to her dormitory after a night out to "keep her safe," he assaulted her once they arrived (EROC,2017).
. Isolation of intended victims. Individuals have reported being purposely separated from their friends, and then taken to private rooms at gatherings.
. Plying and coercing individuals to consume large quantities of alcohol, or spiking drinks to increase their level of intoxication (EROC,2017).
. Targeting individuals who particularly vulnerable. These individuals are primarily international students, students who work as sex workers, students with disabilities, and individuals from the LGBTIQ community. These students are targeted as they are often or not more socially isolated, and/or face greater barriers in reporting the crime (EROC,2017).

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Universities need to send a clear message that sexual assaults and harassment will never be tolerated. For these institutions, their duty of care includes;

·     There should be clear and easily assessible information on what to do, and where to seek assistance. This should be displayed prominently on the university’s main website.

·     Help change current attitudes and behaviours regarding gender roles and relationships. This begins with a no tolerance to sexual harassment.

·     Train staff on how to better deal with cases of sexual assault. This includes managing reports and disclosures, complaint processes, investigating complaints, and making decisions about complaints. It is important that there is a co-ordinated approach that best supports the victims.

·     To provide counselling and appropriate support to victims where needed eg housing, formal reporting etc.
.     Development of social cohesion, especially around residential colleges and university residences. These pose as areas of high risk as young people live, work, study and socialise in close proximity to each other, and away from the eyes of their parents or caregivers (AHRC,2017).
. Help develop problem solving strategies to reduce any advantages a potential perpetrator might have. This includes helping students identify the dangers in situations that have become coercive, explore ways to overcome emotional barriers that might  stop them from resisting unwanted behaviours of men known to them (McCarthy, 2015).
. More appropriate responses and penalties for suspected perpetrators. This includes suspension pending investigation, and ensuring they are not near the vicinities of the victim eg lecture halls.

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Student Strategies and the Bystander/ Witness  intervention

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Student Strategies and the Bystander/ Witness  intervention

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It is important that campus communities understand the aspects involving sexual assaults. Some preventative means that have been recommended include;

·     Knowing when and where sexual assaults are most likely to occur. Australian statistics show that most assaults occurred at a university social event or residence social event (21%), on public transport on the way to and from university (15%), on university grounds (10%),and at a university residence or college (10%) (AHRC,2017).

·     Understanding risky situations that can lead to sexual assaults. This includes being coerced into taking drugs or consuming alcohol, blocking doors to stop you from exiting, controlling transportation, and purposely being led away from your friends (EROC,2017).

·     Understanding tactics that are used by possible perpetrators.

·     Cautionary restrictions and care surrounding university traditions such as hazing practices. These practices often involve students being pressured by their peers to participate in risky ventures that involve alcohol and sexualised games (EROC,2017).

One of the current means to prevent sexual assaults is the use of the bystander/ witness intervention programs. Although most cases of sexual assault occur in private settings, the program suggests the are a number of opportunities to intervene. This includes identifying high risk situations (witnessing an intoxicated or incapacitated individual being taken to a secluded area or private room), situations during an assault (hearing, seeing, or suspects an assault is occurring), and situations after the assault  helping the victim or confronting the perpetrator) (EROC,2017; McMahon,2015; Quadara & Wall, 2012).

Bystander intervention programmes can help promote healthy communities that are built on respectful relationships and that do not tolerate violence.

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The Social Elements of Sexual Assaults: Attitudes and Behaviour, Rape Culture, and victim blaming.

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The Social Elements of Sexual Assaults: Attitudes and Behaviour, Rape Culture, and victim blaming.

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"The first person I told asked me how much I had been drinking. The second person I told said that I would be ruining his life. The third person I told said it wasn't a university issue. The fourth person I told asked me why I had waited so long to tell anyone." (Anonymous Student Survivor, 2016) (EROC,2017).

Attitudes and behaviour governing gender roles, relationships, sex, and patriarchy contribute to the perpetration of sexual assaults. These attitudes and beliefs are often normalised, and influence what is acceptable behaviour, the response of bystanders, communities, and institutions ( Armstrong, Hamilton & Sweeney, 2006EROC,2017)

The nature of rape culture and rape myths in universities is extensive and dangerously normalised. Ideologies about the nature of men, women, sexuality, and consent creates an environment for sexual assaults. An example would be the ideology that women "were asking for it" or "deserved it."

Sexual assaults is often supported by the tendency of victim blaming in which the victim is often made responsible for their sexual assault. Some strategies help fuel victim blaming by instructing individuals to watch their drinks, stay with friends, and limit alcohol consumption. This implies that it is the individuals responsibility to avoid mistakes, and their fault if it fails (Armstrong, Hamilton & Sweeney, 2006).

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It is difficult to report personal cases of sexual assault, or sexual harassment to the university, and/or police immediately. If you are a victim or know someone who is need of service regarding sexual assault, or sexual harassment, the following contacts are available.

·     Australian Human Rights Commission Complaints Infoline 1300 656 419

·     1800RESPECT National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service 1800 737 732

·     24 Hour Sexual Assault Helpline 1800 200 526

·     For those who are deaf or have a hearing impairment 1800 555 677 and quote 1800 200 526

·     Women’s Legal Service 1800 634 669

·     Mensline Australia 1300 789 976

·     NSW Anti-Discrimination Board (02) 9288 5555

·     Relationships Australia 1300 364 277

Please note that these are not the only contacts or services available.

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Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).(2017). Change the Course: National Report on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at Australian Universities. Retrieved from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/document/publication/AHRC_2017_ChangeTheCourse_UniversityReport.pdf

Abbey,A.(2005).Lessons Learned and Unanswered Questions About Sexual Assault Perpetration. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.20(1

Armstrong,E.A.,Hamilton,L.,& Sweeney,B.(2006).Sexual Assault on Campus: A Multilevel Integrative Approach to Party Rape. Social Problems.53(4).483-494.

End Rape on Campus (EROC).(2017). Connecting the Dots: Understanding Sexual Assault in University Communities: A Submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s University Sexual Assault and Harassment Project.Retrieved from

http://www.endrapeoncampusau.org

McCarthy,M.(2015).College Sexual Assault Defence Programs for Women Halved Rape Risks. BJM: British Medical Journal.350.1-2.

McMahon,S.,(2015).Call for Research on Bystander Intervention to Prevent Sexual Violence: The Role of Campus Environments . American Journal of Community Psychology.55(3-4):472-489.

Quadara,A.,& Wall,L.,(2012).ACSSA Wrap Australian Centre For The Study of Sexual Assault: What is Effective Primary Prevention in Sexual Assault: Translating the Evidence for Action. Retrieved from https://aifs.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication-documents/w11.pdf