Sexual Assault Awareness

• Make any limits and/or boundaries you may have known to the other person as early as possible.
• Tell a sexual aggressor “no” as clearly and firmly as possible.
• Remove yourself, if possible, from an aggressor’s physical presence.
• Reach out for help, either from someone who is physically nearby or by calling someone. Bystanders around you may be waiting for a signal that you need help.
• Look out for your friends and ask them to look out for you. Respect them, and ask them to respect you, but be willing to challenge each other about high-risk choices.
• Do not share intimate content, pictures, images, and videos with others, even those you may trust. If you do share, clarify your expectations as to how or if those images may be used, shared, or disseminated.
• Remember that alcohol and drug use can increase your vulnerability to sexual victimization.

• Always clearly communicate your intentions and give others a chance to clearly communicate their intentions to you.
• If they say, “no” or give any other verbal or non-verbal indication that they do not want the physical contact. Stop immediately.
• Respect personal boundaries. If the person says they are uncomfortable with your actions, stop what you are doing and respect their decision.
• Avoid ambiguity. Just ask. Do not make assumptions about consent, about whether someone is attracted to you, or how far you can go with that person. If you have questions or are unclear, you do not have consent.
• Mixed messages are a clear indication that you should stop your actions.
• Never take advantage of someone’s altered state due to substances, or otherwise.
• Realize that someone could feel intimidated by you. You may have a power advantage simply because of your gender or physical presence.
• Understand that consent to some form of behavior does not automatically imply consent to any other forms of sexual behavior.
• Silence, passivity, or non-responsiveness cannot be interpreted as an indication of consent. Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal communications and body language when seeking to determine consent.

What is Consent?

Consent is:

• Voluntary, affirmative, and freely given
• Clear words or actions that both people agree to the sexual or physical activity

Remember:

• Consent to one form of sexual activity does not, by itself, constitute consent to any other forms of sexual activity.
• Consent can be withdrawn or modified at any time.
• Consent cannot be obtained by physical force or the threat of physical force.
• Previous relationships or previous consent do not, by themselves, constitute consent to future sexual acts.
• Consent to an act with one person does not give consent to such an act with another person.

What Does Consent Look Like?

Consent looks like:

• Asking permission before you change the type or degree of sexual or physical activity with phrases like “Is this OK?”
• Confirming that there is reciprocal interest before initiating any physical touch.
• Letting your partner know that you can stop at any time.
• Periodically checking in with your partner, such as asking “Is this still okay?”
• Providing positive feedback when you’re comfortable with an activity.
• Explicitly agreeing to certain activities, either by saying “yes” or another affirmative statement, like “I’m comfortable with that.”
• Using physical cues to let the other person know you’re comfortable

How Can You Help Someone?

Bystander intervention is recognizing a potentially harmful situation or interaction and choosing, in a safe way, to interrupt it for the sake of a better outcome. It’s just a sophisticated way to say, look out for each other. Stepping in or confronting someone can be intimidating and it’s normal to feel that way. But, at Liberty University we want to challenge ourselves to do and be better within our community. See the steps below for more information.

1. Notice the Event: pay attention to your surroundings
2. Interpret the Situation as a Problem: err on the side of caution
3. Take Responsibility: Do not assume someone else will do something to help
4. Know How to Help: Use the information you’ve learned to respond appropriately
5. Intervene Safely: Do not put yourself in harm’s way, if the situation is dangerous get help from LUPD or an RA.