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Sexual assault is a growing crime type in Australia. It reached a 5 year high in 2014, growing in incidence by 3.3% (1).

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For every 100 000 Australians, there are 88 victims of sexual assault. Individuals between 15-24  account for roughly 1/3 of victims (1).

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Most sexual assault victims are female, making up 83% of victims. This is a major overrepresentation for females. 68% of sexual assaults take place in a residential location (1).

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Despite the high proportion of female victims, males can be sexually assaulted too.

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A large factor in sexual assault incidences in the 15-24 year old group is alcohol consumption (3). Hazardous drinking habits have been linked to increased victimisation rates (2)

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Victim blaming happens. Many people claim that the victim of sexual assault shares some of the blame. Popular claims like "look at what she was wearing, she was asking for it" and "Shouldn't have been so drunk, they were inviting trouble" are problematic as they create a culture of acceptance for this behaviour. Sexual assault is a crime, and the victim is never at fault (5).

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Many people believe that consent cannot be withdrawn after sexual contact has begun. This is wrong, as the only time consent cannot be withdrawn is once the act is over.

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Another misconception is that only "party people" are sexually assaulted. Whilst people that engage in risky behaviours such as excess alcohol consumption, especially in public places are at a high risk, the reality is that anyone can be sexually assaulted. This is backed by the fact that over 2/3 of sexual assaults are at residential locations.

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Sexual assault can be defined as unwanted or unsolicited sexual touching, attempted penetration or actual penetration of the mouth, vagina or anus.

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Individuals who engage in casual sex are more likely than their monogamous or celibate peers to experience sexual assault (2).

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Being a college or university student increases your risk factor of being sexually assaulted. More than 1 in 3 college females experience sexual assault by their final year of studies (2).

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Non-hetero people are at a higher risk of sexual assault.

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Perpetrators can use drugs as a form of incapacitating their victims, often slipping sedatives into someones beverage.

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Many people believe that sexual assaults occur between strangers. The truth is that most sexual assaults occur between people with a prior relationship (not necessarily sexual) (4).

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Being intoxicated doesn't mean you should be sexually assaulted, but it does increase the chance of it happening. When drinking, do it in moderation and with people you trust.

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You are more likely to be sexually assaulted by someone you know. Avoid being alone with people you don't completely trust, and learn to recognise changes in people's behaviour and be aware of changing dynamics.

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Don't take unnecessary risks such as walking home alone at night, or catching public transport alone while intoxicated. Take safe routes when walking home at night, ensuring that someone knows where you are and the path is well lit.

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Encourage open discourse within your social groups. Educating people about the risks and vulnerable groups can create safer habits and discourage potential offenders.

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Due to the use of sedatives to facilitate sexual assault, never leave your drink unattended when in a social setting. It is safest to not even leave it under the supervision of friends.

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Sexual assault is a common and serious crime. It occurs frequently and can happen to anyone. Whilst the victim is never to blame, due to the nature of the crime, it falls upon individuals to maintain their own safety. By following the simple tips presented, anyone can reduce their risk of being assaulted and help lower the incidence of sexual assault.