MSU is committed to preventing sexual assault and making your environment conducive to learning. Statistics show that sexual assault, particularly acquaintance rape, happens on all campuses and in communities of all sizes. Everyone at MSU—men and women, administration, staff, and students all working together—can foster a positive campus climate where all members of the University community feel safe, respected, and valued.
This website uses the terms "sexual assault" and "sexual violence" interchangeably. In defining sexual assault, it helps to take apart the terms. Sex is positive when an individual freely chooses to engage in healthy sexual behavior (with her or himself, and with others). The other part of the term is "assault" and "violence." These are negative. They describe violation, victimization, and asserting power over another person to hurt them. Putting the words back together, sexual assault is a violation where the perpetrator asserts power in a sexual or intimate way over another person and hurts her or him. Sexual assault twists something positive and healthy–sexuality–into something negative and hurtful–violence and assault.
In this way, sexual violence is not an act of sex. Sex between mature consenting equals is a positive and healthy activity, and acts of sexual violence clearly are not positive or healthy. Perpetrators use sexual violence to exercise or "prove" power and control over another person.
Sexual assault is a criminal act of violence. It is perpetrated primarily by men against women, but it can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, race, strength, sexual practice/orientation, or size. People don't talk about it, so the survivors of this "crime that didn't happen" can feel alone and isolated as they struggle to heal from the trauma. Survivors often experience a second victimization and are told it was their fault for "asking for it" or "letting it happen."
Contrary to the common stereotype of an unknown stranger attacking in a dark alley, acquaintance rape–also known as date rape–is a more widespread phenomenon. Research studies have found that 1 in 4 college women have experienced rape or attempted rape, and 90% of the victims knew their assailant (Crime Victim Center and Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, 1992).
Today attitudes toward sexual assault continue to change in an empowering and enlightening direction. This website is designed to dispel many inaccurate perceptions about sexual assault, and provide tips to help you with personal safety. While sexual assault is always a devastating experience, support from others is readily available. Being better informed and talking about the issues are important steps we can all make toward preventing sexual violence in all its forms.
