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New Mexico State University

Sexual AssaultWhat Is Sexual Assault?

  • Sexual Contact: Any unwanted touching to the intimate parts underneath the clothes of someone who is eighteen years of age (if under the age of eighteen, click here), or intentionally causing this person to touch one's intimate parts.
  • Sexual Coercion: Forcing someone to engage in something they don't want to do by feeding them alcohol, persistently asking or saying "if you love me you will".
  • Attempted Rape: Almost penetrating the victim but no penetration happened.
  • Rape or Criminal Sexual Penetration: "The unlawful and intentional causing of a person to engage in sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, or anal intercourse, or the causing of penetration to any extent and with any object, of the genital or anal openings of another, whether or not there is any emission. (NM Statute 20-9-11)

 

96% of victims know their perpetrator

Who Are Perpetrators?

  • Acquaintances
  • Boyfriends or ex-boyfriends, girlfriends and ex-girlfriends and partners
  • Classmates
  • Friends
  • Strangers

 

Who are the Victims?

  • Victims range from infants to senior citizens with the highest risk group being those between the ages of 16-24 - regardless of looks, income or education.

 

Acquaintance Rape

  • Most victims are assaulted in their homes, a friend's home or the offender's home.
  • Drinking is involved in most cases.

 

Acquaintance rape is the most violent crime on college campuses today

Stop Acquaintance Rape

  • Let your limits be known. If you aren't ready for sex, say something.
  • Ask questions. If you aren't sure what the other person wants, ask!
  • Have Sober Sex. Not only is sober sex better, a person can not give legal consent to have sex if they have a BAC level of 0.08.
  • If the other person changes their mind, you should respect their decision.
  • Remember, ask for consent.

 

Date Rape Drugs

  • Alcohol is the # 1 date rape drug
  • Roofies are legal in Mexico
  • Ketamine horse tranquilizer; causes aggressive behavior
  • GHB recipe easily accessible; can cause coma or death

 

Warning Signs - If a situation doesn't feel right, it probably isn't!

The 5 I's

  • Invasion: Perpetrators often invade personal space visually, verbally and physically.
  • Ignoring: Perpetrators of sexual assault often ignore verbal and non-verbal communication.
  • Isolation: Perpetrators are often creative and subtle in their attempts to get someone alone.
  • Intoxication: Perpetrators often use alcohol or drugs to make someone vulnerable or as an excuse for their own behavior.
  • Instincts: It is not uncommon for people to dismiss or forget about listening to their instincts when they know or trust the person they are with.

 

College women have a 1 in 4 chance of becoming a victim of sexual assault.

Respect is Sexy

  • Remember, get consent. If you experience mixed signals, do not read this as a "yes".
  • Always interrupt anyone who you see verbally or physically violating another's space.
  • Don't join in if friends encourage you in paying unwanted sexual attention to another person-man or woman.
  • Don't stare at, whistle at, talk to, or look over a person in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.
  • Women have the right to change and set limits on sexual behavior just as men do.
  • Never think you owe someone sex under any circumstances; sexual intercourse is not a payback for anything!
  • Be aware of how you or your friends treat others.
  • Never voice, believe or support the idea that the other person "wanted" or "asked for it".

If you are assaulted, remember, it is NOT your Fault!

 

For more information contact:

WAVE or La Piñon

Click here for a list of registered sex offenders in the state of New Mexico.

 

On-Campus Counseling

Incest/Sexual Assault Survivors Group
This is a group for women who have experienced sexual abuse by a family member (parent, grandparent, step parent, sibling, cousin, aunt, uncle) or a responsible caregiver (e.g., babysitter) when they were children or adolescents. It is also for women who were raped as adults by an acquaintance, dating partner or stranger. The purpose of the group is to assist those who continue to struggle in their present lives with the aftereffects of those incidents and to experience healing and recovery. While the focus is on the past abuse/assault, there is a balanced concentration on concerns relating to relationships, one’s self-image, and life experiences in the present.

Days: Thursdays
Time: 1-2:30 p.m.
Leaders: Karen Schaefer, Ph.D., Sarah Moyers, M.S.

If you are interested in joining this group all you need to do is call the Counseling Center at 646-2731 and speak with the receptionist to schedule a group screening appointment with either of the leaders.