How common is sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking?
More than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact in their lifetime. Over 1 in 3 women and just under 1 in 3 men will experience intimate partner violence. Likewise, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men have been stalked at some point in their lifetime. For both men and women, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking first occurs before the age of 25.
What do I do if I think someone is in an abusive or toxic relationship?
If you think that a friend or someone you know is in an abusive or unhealthy relationship, it can be difficult to know what to do. You may want to help, but be scared to lose them as a friend or feel as though it is not your place to step in. All of these feelings are normal. For More information check out the .
Here are a few tips to help you talk to your friend:
- Calmly start a conversation on a positive note.
- Be supportive.
- Focus on the unhealthy behaviors.
- Keep the conversation friendly, not preachy.
- Don鈥檛 place the blame on your friend.
- Allow your friend to make their own decision.
- Offer solutions to your friend.
- Expect more conversations in the future.
- Seek help and support for yourself from a confidential resource.
How do I help a friend who is LGBTQIA+ who has experienced harm?
Keep in mind all of the above, as well as these tips below:
- Remind the person that their identity is valid.
- Identity or situation is never an excuse for abusive behavior.
- Encourage them to seek out LGBTQ+ specific resources.
- Remember that law enforcement may not be the best option.
- Try to be a consistent support system.
How is the Office of Violence Prevention different from Title IX?
Both Title IX and the grant exist for the prevention and response to violence. Title IX focuses on equitable access to education and discrimination based on sex. The Office of Violence Prevention operates from a social justice background that encourages culture change through education and awareness programming.
How can I request a program for myself or my student organization?
Definitions
Sexual Assault
- Any type of sexual contact, touching or behavior that happens without consent of the recipient.
Dating and Domestic Violence
- Abusive behavior one person in a relationship uses to control the other. It can be verbal, physical, sexual or emotional.
Stalking
- Stalking is a pattern of behavior that makes someone feel afraid, nervous, harassed, or in danger. It is when someone repeatedly makes contact, follows, sends things, or calls when it is not wanted.
Bystander
- Anyone in the community who sees or hears about a behavior that could lead to something high risk or harmful. Every bystander faces the same choice: 鈥淒o I get involved and try to make things better? Or do I ignore the situation?鈥
Proactive Bystander Intervention
- Small, daily choices we make to communicate two new norms to the people in our spheres of influence:
- Violence is not okay and will not be tolerated.
- Everyone needs to do their part to help.
Reactive Bystander Intervention
- Direct 鈥 check in yourself with person being harmed or person doing the harm
- Delegate 鈥 get someone else to intervene
- Distract 鈥 create a diversion to defuse the situation
Consent
- An affirmative, conscious decision by each participant to engage in mutually agreed-upon sexual activity.
- The following must occur:
- Consists of mutually understandable communication
- Informed and reciprocal
- Freely and actively given
- Not unlimited
- Not indefinite