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.
The terms "sexual assault" and "sexual violence" are used interchangeably throughout this section. 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 obviously 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, hurtful and criminal - violence and assault.
In this way, sexual violence is not an act of sex. Sex between mature consenting equal adults 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. Statistically, 94% of all rapes are by men against women (Bureau of Justice Statistics, August 2002), but it can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, race, strength, sexual practice/orientation, or size. Rape is reported only about 36% of the time, attempted rapes about 34%, and sexual assaults about 26% of the time to police (Bureau of Justice Statistics, August 2002). Because people don't talk about it, the survivors of this crime that silently affects so many 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 (--Fisher, Bonnie S., Francis T. Cullen, and Michael G. Turner (2000). The Sexual Victimization of College Women. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. Available at [PDF] www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/182369.pdf (1 KiB), Crime Victim Center and Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, 1992). A clear link has been established between acquaintance rape and reporting. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (August 2002), the closer the relationship between the victim and the assailant, the greater the likelihood that a rape or sexual assault would not be reported to the police. In addition, if a victim consented to certain sexual activity, or even had sex before with this person, this doesn't change that fact that an assault is an assault if the victim did not consent this time. You may have consented to sex or intimate activity in the past, but if you did not consent to the particular act or activity, it is assault. You are also allowed to change your mind and revoke consent at any time. If it feels like sexual violence, it probably is.
Today, attitudes toward sexual assault continue to change in an empowering and enlightening direction. This section of the 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 assault.
