What every Cornell student should know
about rape prevention and postvention
Published as a service to the Cornell College community
by the
Cornell Counseling Center, Ebersole Building, 895-4292, 9/2002
The information contained in this website is accurate as of the publication
date. This information is intended for use as an overview of issues related
to sexual assault.
Important Contact Numbers:
Campus Safety -- 895-4299 (a 24-hour security
contact number)
Cornell Counseling Center -- 895-4292
Mt. Vernon Police -- 895-6141 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency)
Cedar Rapids Police -- 286-5491
Mercy Medical Center ER -- 398-6041
St. Luke's ER -- 369-7105
Waypoint Sexual Assault Program -- 363-5490 (24-hour crisis line for sexual
assault concerns)
Foundation II Crisis Line -- 362-2174 (24-hour crisis line for any concern)
Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP; in Iowa City) -- 1-800-284-7821
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is defined by the Cornell College Sexual
Misconduct Policy as including non-consensual sexual contact
and non-consensual sexual intercourse.
Sexual Abuse (a.k.a. Sexual Assault) is defined by the Iowa Code as:
any sex act between persons is sexual abuse by either of the participants
when the act is performed with the other participant in any of the following
circumstances:
A. The act is done by force or against the will of the other. If the
consent or acquiescence of the other is procured by threats of violence
toward any person, or if the act is done while the other is under the
influence of a drug inducing sleep or is otherwise in a state of unconsciousness,
the act is done against the will of the other.
B. Such other participant is suffering from a mental defect or incapacity
which precludes giving consent, or lacks the mental capacity to know the
right and wrong of conduct in sexual matters.
C. Such other participant is a child.
What we can all do to help prevent
sexual assault:
Think about whether you really want to have sex with someone who doesn't
want to have sex with you; how will you feel afterwards if your partner
tells you she/he didn't want to have sex.
If you are getting a double message from your partner, speak up and clarify
what he/she wants. If you find yourself in a situation with a partner
who is unsure about having sex or is saying "no," back off. Suggest talking
about it.
Be sensitive to partners who are unsure whether they want to have sex.
If you put pressure on them, you might be forcing them.
Do not assume you both want the same degree of intimacy. Your partner
might be interested in some sexual contact other than intercourse. There
may be several kinds of sexual activity you might mutually agree to share.
Stay in touch with your sexual desires. Ask yourself if you are really
hearing what he/she wants. Do not let your desires control your actions.
Communicate your sexual desires honestly and as early as possible.
Do not assume his/her desire for affection is the same as a desire for
sex.
A partner who turns you down for sex is not necessarily rejecting you
as a person; he/she is expressing her decision not to participate in a
single act at that time.
No one asks to be raped. No matter how a person behaves, he/she does
not deserve to have his/her body used in ways he/she does not want.
The fact that you were intoxicated is not legal defense to rape. You
are responsible for your actions, whether you are drunk or sober.
Be aware that a man's size and physical presence can be intimidating
to a woman. Many victims report that the fear they felt based on the man's
size and presence was the reason why they did not fight back or struggle.
Medical and mental health care
needs after an assault:
· Within 24 to 48 hours the most evidence can be collected at a hospital emergency
room. There is no cost to the survivor for this exam. Do not bathe or shower, change clothes,
douche, brush teeth, urinate, defecate, etc. Bring a set of clothes
to change into after the exam. The hospital might want to keep some or
all of the clothes worn during the assault for evidence. Even if you're
not sure you want to prosecute, you might want to consider an evidence
exam to collect and store physical evidence in case you do decide to prosecute at a later
time. Both Mercy and St. Lukes in Cedar Rapids, and the UI Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, have specially trained sexual assault response nurses on staff. IMPORTANT: Some hospitals
may notify the police when a sexual assault victim seeks emergency room
services. However, just because the police are called does not mean that
the survivor must report the assault. The police will come to the hospital
to take a report and the survivor can decline to give a statement at that
time. The individual will still be able to receive emergency medical care.
· Within 72 hours the survivor can be treated prophylactically for
certain STDs and pregnancy (if that is a concern). There might or might not be a charge for this service. After 72 hours, no prophylactic treatment is effective. Most physician offices can provide this treatment. Planned Parenthood and The Emma Goldman Clinic can also provide this treatment. Both St. Luke's Hospital and Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids will provide emergency contraception. IMPORTANT! Some religiously affiliated medical care facilities will not provide pregnancy prophylaxis, even though those hospitals will provide prophylaxis for STDs.
· After 72 hours, still encourage the survivor to seek medical attention.
It is important to make sure no internal damage was done. Also important
is follow-up testing for STDs and HIV.
· On-campus free, individual counseling is available, whether the assault occurred recently or years ago. Perhaps you can help the survivor by accompanying her or
him to the Counseling Center for the first visit. For more information
call ext. 4292.
· Waypoint in Cedar Rapids (formerly the YWCA) provides free advocacy
and counseling support to all survivors of sexual assault. They can be
reached at 363-5490.
Legal and adjudicatory concerns
following a sexual assault:
· In the State of Iowa, a survivor has 10 years from the date of the assault
(or 10 years after their 18th birthday if they are a minor when assaulted) to report the rape to the police and pursue prosecution. The reality is
that a report should be made as soon as possible after the assault. A
survivor can make a report and choose not to prosecute, but still have
the report on file. The longer someone waits to make a report of a rape,
the less likely there will be a successful prosecution.
· Cornell's policy states that violations of the policy should be reported
promptly, and that "As long as the individual being accused is a
member of the Cornell College community, the College may investigate and
take necessary action if warranted. However, the College's ability to
pursue the complaint to conclusion may be hindered by the passage of time.
Prompt reporting is crucial to help ensure full investigation of complaints.
A delay in reporting can adversely affect both the informal and formal
adjudication procedures. Victims of, and witnesses to, sexual misconduct
are strongly encouraged to report the misconduct immediately." Currently,
on-campus procedures include providing a report of what happened to the
Dean of Students, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of the College, or
Director of Human Resources. That individual will then coordinate a preliminary
investigation. Informal or formal procedures may be initiated for resolving
cases of alleged sexual misconduct. Formal procedures are outlined in
The
Compass. The following officials are currently authorized to
receive reports:
Vice President for Student Affairs: John Harp, ext. 4234
Dean of Students: Karla Carney, ext. 4234
Dean of the College: Brenda Tooley, ext. 4210
Director of Human Resources: Vickie Farmer, ext. 4243
· Civil court proceedings are a third option available to a survivor.
This course does not result in criminal action against the accused. Rather,
monetary damages can be sought through this avenue. A survivor should
check with a qualified attorney to pursue this option.
· If medical or other monetary losses result from the assault, the survivor
might be able to recoup some losses through the Crime Victim Compensation
Program. More information is available on this through 1-800-373-5044.
What to do to help the survivor:
· Let the person be in control of her or his own decisions. Support these
decisions.
· Tell him or her over and over again that the assault was not her or
his fault.
· Tell her or him that no matter what he she or he did when the rape
happened, she or he acted in the best manner she or he could.
· Ask the survivor how she/he wants to be treated, especially when doing
anything that may violate her/his personal space.
· Be a good listener. Be non-judgmental and non-blaming.
· Assist her/him in getting the help she/he wants and needs.
What NOT TO DO:
· Don't give advice or try to tell her/him what to do.
· Don't tell her/him what you would have done.
· Don't ask why she/he didn't scream, fight, etc. This is blaming.
· Don't ask her or him what they did to "lead him on."
· Don't spread gossip to friends about "what happened."
· Don't expect her/him to "get back to normal" right away.
|
