Rape and Sexual Assault

A closer look

Rape or sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. On this page you will find information, legal definitions, resources, and links you can use to learn more about rape and sexual assault. An important point to remember is that no one deserves to be sexually assaulted.

Rice takes any form of sexual assault very seriously. Here are some statistics that indicate the prevalence of rape and sexual assault on college campuses:

Female college freshmen are at the highest risk for sexual assault between the first day of school and Thanksgiving break.
In a 1-year time period, 3% of college women are victims of completed or attempted rape.
1 out of 10 college women have been raped in their lifetime.
For women who have been raped in college, 9 out of 10 offenders were known by the victim.
Sexual assaults in college are more likely to occur at night and in someone's residence (either the victim's or the offender's).
90% of campus rapes involve alcohol use by the assailant or the victim.
Although women are more likely to be sexually assaulted, 10% of all sexual assaults and rapes happen to men.

Topics

What is rape?

Rape is any kind of sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral, or anal) that is committed against a person's will or is committed with physical force or with a threat to hurt the victim or another person. It is also considered rape if the victim is intoxicated or unconscious and unable to give consent. Rape and sexual assault are not about sexual desire--they are about power and control.

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault is the legal term for rape, but it also encompasses other behaviors beyond forced sexual intercourse. Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact. It can be committed by the use of threats or force or when someone takes advantage of circumstances that render a person incapable of giving consent, such as intoxication. Sexual assault can include unwanted touching, fondling, or groping of sexual body parts.

As defined by Texas Law, a person commits sexual assault or rape if the person "intentionally" or "knowingly":

Causes the penetration of the anus or female sexual organ of another person by any means, without that person's consent;
Causes the penetration of the mouth of another person by the sexual organ of the actor, without that person's consent; or
Causes the sexual organ of another person, without that person's consent, to contact or pentrate the mouth, anus, or sexual organ of another person including the actor.

Any of the above behaviors with a child also constitutes sexual assault.

Consent

Consent means "assent in fact." Under the law, examples of non-consent include:

The other person has not consented; actor knows person is not aware sexual assault is occurring;
The actor has intentionally impaired other person's power to appraise or control the actor's conduct by administering any substance without person's knowledge;
Use of physical force or violence that compels a person to submit;
Threats to use force (against the victim or another), and the victim believes the actor has the ability to carry out the threat;
The other person has not consented; the actor knows the person is unconscious or physically unable to resist;
The other person has a "mental disease or defect" and the actor knows the person is incapable either of appraising the nature of the act or of resisting it.

Rice Policy

As explained in the student handbook, the University will not tolerate a range of sexually exploitative behavior, which does not constitute sexual assault but which may violate the Code of Student Conduct and result in disciplinary action against the perpetrator. This behavior includes but is not limited to, attempts to obtain sexual favors through psychological coercion, including threats to embarrass or intimidate the victim (in a way that does not include threat of force).

Students must be aware that sexual assaults on campus often involve the use of drugs or alcohol. Rice will not shield members of the Rice community from criminal prosecution, may also pursue disciplinary action through its own processes even where criminal charges are filed.

Students should also read and abide by the University's policy against sexual harassment.

Who can be a perpetrator of sexual assault?

Men or women may be the perpetrators of sexual assault; however, men are more likely to commit sexual assault. The perpetrator may be a stranger, an acquaintance, a lover, a partner, or a date. Most of the time the perpetrator of the assault is someone the victim knows, either a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, other relative or acquaintance.

Who can be a victim of sexual assault?

Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. Although it is more common for women to be victims, approximately 1 out of 10 men have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lifetime.

What should I do if I am sexually assaulted?

Preventing a possible pregnancy and collecting physical evidence must occur within 72 hours of the assault. If the incident occurred in the last 24 to 72 hours:

Call 911 or ext. 6000 if you need immediate medical or police assistance.
Go to a safe place as soon as you can and ask a friend, family member, or someone you trust to stay with you.
Get help by calling one of these sexual assault resources: Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-494-8100, University Health Services (713) 348-4966 or Rice Emergency Medical Services (713) 348-6000.
Try to preserve all evidence of the assault. Avoid drinking, bathing, showering, douching, brushing your teeth, or changing your clothes. Evidence can be collected at an emergency room and you can decide later whether or not you want to press criminal charges.
Try to write down, or have a friend write down, everything you can remember about the incident including a physical description of the perpetrator, their identity if you know it, and the use of threats or force.
Get medical care. Go to Health Services or a hospital emergency room that provides medical care for sexual assault victims. Even if you think that you do not have any physical injuries, you should still have a medical examination and discuss the possibility of sexually transmitted infections with a medical provider. If you are female, you can prevent pregnancy by taking emergency contraceptive pills within 72 hours of the assault.
If you think you were drugged or consumed sedative-like substance, ask the medical provider to take a urine sample. Date rape drugs like GHB and Rohypnol are more likely to be detected in urine than in blood. If you still have remnants of the drink, save them for analysis.
Talk with a counselor who is trained to assist victims of sexual assault. You can call one of the resources listed below

(Adapted from RAINN, "If you are raped.")

If the incident occurred recently or long ago, remember that it is never too late to get help:

Talk to a counselor at one of the resources below to work through the emotional and physical impacts of the assault and to get support.
Find a local support group by contacting the Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center to help you connect with other survivors and start the healing process.

What happens during the medical exam?

Even if you have no apparent injuries after the assault, it is still a good idea to seek medical care. Going to the hospital, even though it might be difficult, is an important way for you to start taking care of yourself. You may come to Health Services or you may go to any hospital you choose. If you need to be transferred from Health Services to another emergency care site, Brown EMS can transport you.

At the hospital, you will be asked questions about your general health. If you are female, you will be asked about your menstrual history and your use of contraception. You will also be asked specific questions about the assault. It may be difficult to recall some of the details, and it may be emotionally painful to talk about what happened. Medical providesrs ask specific questions to find out what to look for when they examine you. The information you give helps them conduct a thorough physical evaluation. Then you will have a general physical exam and if you are a female, a pelvic exam. The clinician will check for external and internal injuries and test for any sexually transmitted infections. You may be given antibiotics to prevent infection. For females, a pregnancy test will be done and you will be given emergency contraceptive pills to prevent unintended pregnancy.

The medical providers will, with your permission, collect physical evidence to be used if you decide to prosecute. Collecting this physical evidence is called a "rape kit." This cannot be done at Health Services, but must be done at an emergency room or hospital. Depending on the types of sexual contact that occurred, the search for physical evidence may include taking samples from the vagina, mouth, or rectum to test for sperm cells and semen. Other evidence may be obtained from fingernail scrapings, foreign matter on your body, and the clothes you were wearing at the time of the assault.

All the exam findings are completely confidential and can only be released with your written consent. If you have visible injuries, you may be asked to have photographs taken. Photographing injuries is important because by the time your assailant is prosecuted, the injuries may have healed.

Going to the hospital does not mean that you have to make a report to the police. That is your choice. The hospital staff will probably ask you to come back for a follow-up checkup. Or, you follow up with a medical provider of your choice. A counselor will be available to talk with you. Additional ongoing counseling will be available to you through the support resources of your choice.

What are the common reactions of survivors?

It is normal for survivors to experience a range of feelings after a rape or sexual assault, and all survivors react to the incident in their own way. One survivor may feel intense anger and even have feelings of revenge, while another may feel numb. Below are some of the common types of reactions survivors might have:

Shock and disbelief - Immediately after the assault most victims are in a state of shock. Some will act as if nothing has happened, trying to make life seem normal. Others find themselves in a daze, having difficulty focusing or getting mobilized.
Recurring thoughts - There may also be periods when survivors are preoccupied with thoughts and feelings about the assault. They may have unwanted memories, flashbacks or nightmares. When they think about what happened, they may re-experience some of the sensations and feelings they had during the assault, such as fear and powerlessness.
Intense emotions - After this initial phase, which can last anywhere from a few hours to weeks, months or even years, other emotions come into play. It is common for a survivor to feel that they are going crazy with so many different perceptions to deal with. A survivor may experience fears of darkness, of being alone, or being around people like the perpetrator, or of being raped again.
Self-blame and shame - They may feel that the rape or assault was their fault or that they could have done something to prevent it. They may feel guilty, ashamed and vulnerable in ways they have never experienced before.
Fears about safety - They may have trouble trusting other people. Sexual intimacy may be difficult if it brings painful memories or a fear of losing control. A survivor may feel alone in their experience and that no one can understand.

Other emotion or psychological effects may include:

Depression
Social withdrawal
Numbing/apathy (detachment, loss of caring)
Reduced ability to express emotions
Nightmares or flashbacks
Difficulty concentrating
Diminished interest in activities or sex
Loss of self-esteem
Impaired memory
Loss of appetite
Thoughts of suicide and death
Substance abuse
Psychological disorders

All of these feelings and reactions are normal responses to rape or sexual assault. It is also common for some feelings to resurface or new ones to emerge later on in a survivor's life. Periods of stress, new intimate relationships, the anniversary of the incident, or situations such as seeing the perpetrator or testifying in court, can trigger intense feelings.

(Previous 2 sections adapted from RAINN "Impact of Rape," and The Stone Center at Wellesley "Taking Care of Yourself: Sexual Abuse and Interpersonal Violence Education.")

What can be done to minimize the risk of sexual assault?

Sexual assault and rape can happen to anyone at anytime. A victim is never responsible for preventing sexual assault and rape but there are steps you can take to be safer. Some prevention strategies for men and women can include:

Respect the rights of others:

Listen to the messages your partner is giving. Be sensitive to both verbal and nonverbal communication. Ask. Double check that you both are doing what you want.
The absence of the word "no" does not constitute consent. Make sure you have consent by asking your partner what they want to do. If your partner seems confuse or unsure, it's time to stop.
Remember that having done something sexual previously is not a blanket "yes" to the future.
Remember that your partner can change "yes" to "no" at any time. Respect their choice.
Know which behaviors constitute rape and sexual assault, and understand that most incidents happen between people who know each other.
If you choose to drink, be responsible. Alcohol consumption greatly increases the risk of sexual assault.
Never slip anyone any type of drug. Not only is this illegal, but you don't know what effect a drug can have on someone.

Keep yourself safer:

Think about what you really want from a partner before a possibly uncomfortable or dangerous situation occurs.
Communicate clearly. You have the right to say "no" or "I'm not sure."
Go to a party with friends, not alone. Keep track of your friends and leave with them. Don't leave alone or with someone you don't know well.
Know what's in your drink, whether it's non-alcoholic or contains alcohol. Open the can yourself, make your drink yourself or watch it being made, and don't leave your drink unattended. Avoid punch bowls-- you have no idea how much alcohol is in them, and since date rape drugs are odorless, colorless, and tasteless they can be added to punch without anyone knowing.
Know which behaviors constitute sexual assault and rape. Understand that most incidents occur between people who know each other.
If something happens, get help. There are many resource to help you recover from painful experiences.

Look out for the safety of friends:

If a friend decides to leave a party with someone else, talk to them about their safety. If you are worried about someone, it's okay to try to protect them from harm.
If someone seems highly intoxicated, call EMS at x6000
Learn more about sexual assault and rape and how to help a friend who may have been assaulted.
If a friend discloses to you that they have been sexually assaulted, don't take it all on yourself. Use Rice or off campus resources for advice and support for your friend and for yourself.

Where do I go for help?

Rice Counseling Center (713) 348-4867
University Health Services (713) 348-4966
Houston Area Women's Center
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
Houston Safety Net
Security on Campus, Inc.
The Rape Treatment Center
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) 1-800-656-HOPE: This is a national hotline for victims of sexual assault. The hotline offers free, confidential counseling and support 24 hours a day, from anywhere in the country. When a survivor calls the hotline, s/he is connected to the nearest local rape crisis center through a unique computer routing system that maintains the confidentiality of callers.

Date Rape Drugs

What are date rape drugs?

GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine have become know as "date rape drugs" or "predatory drugs" because they are used to incapacitate someone for the purposes of committing a crime, often sexual assault. These drugs are odorless and colorless and can easily be slipped into someone's drink. They can cause dizziness, disorientations, loss of inhibition and a loss of consciousness. They can also produce amnesia, causing a victim to be unclear of what, if any, crime was committed. These drugs are particularly dangerous when combined with alcohol, although alcohol alone is still the drugs most commonly associated with sexual assault. Read on for more specific information about date rape drugs.

Alcohol

When people hear the phrase "date rape drug," alcohol isn't usually what comes to mind. But as these statistics show, the link between alcohol and campus sexual assault is evident:

55% of female students and 75% of male students involved in acquaintance rape admit to having been drinking or using drugs when the incident occurred.
90% of all campus rapes occur when alcohol has been used by either the assailant or the victim.
As many as 70% of college students admit to having engaged in sexual activity primarily as a result of being under the influence of alcohol, or to having sex they wouldn't have had if they had been sober.

(Adapted from Facts on Tap, "Risky Relationships")

Understanding the effects of alcohol on your body, limiting your alcohol consumption and avoiding drinking games are some of the ways you can decrease the risk of sexual assault. Check out more information about alcohol.

GHB

GHB stands for gamme hydroxybutyrate, a central nervous system sedative often referred to by other names such as "Grievous Body Harm" and "Liquid Ecstacy." GHB can produce drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness, seizures, severe respiratory depression, and coma. Overdose of GHB can occur quickly and can be fatal.

Rohypnol

Rohypnol is a brand name for a powerful sedative that is often referred to as "roofies." Rohypnol is not legally available for prescription in the U.S., therefore simply having it in your posession signals intent to commit a crime. Rohypnol may cause users to feel intoxicated; they may have slurred speech, impaired judgment, and difficulty walking. The effects are often felt within 10 minutes and can last up to 8 hours. Rohypnol can cause deep sedation, respiratory distress, and blackouts that can last up to 24 hours.

Ketamine

Ketamine is an injectable anesthetic that is intended for veterinary use. It is also know as Special K, K, Vitamin K or Cat Valiums. At high doses, ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, high blood pressure, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory problems. Low-dose intoxication from ketamine results in impaired attention, learning ability, and memory.

To protect yourself from date rape drugs, follow these suggestions:

Don't put your drink down. If your drink is out of sight, even for a few minutes, don't finish it. Get yourself a new one.
Don't accept an open drink from anyone. If you order a drink in a bar, make sure you watch the bartender open the bottle or mix your drink.
Avoid punch bowls. You don't know what's in the punch.
If you feel any of the symptoms of a date rape drug, get help immediately. Call EMS at x6000. Ask for a urine screening test. Though traces of the drug may still appear up to 72 hours after ingestion (depending on dosage, and individual metabolism) the chances of getting proof are best when the sample is obtained quickly.