Sexual Assault Prevention

A few months go by and you haven't heard much from Jen. But then today, she reaches out and tells you that she needs to talk. You call her and she explains that things are really not going well with Alex. She tells you that Alex insists on knowing anywhere she goes and anyone she talks to. She says, "Alex has gotten mad at me a ton of times for talking to someone after class, or because I stopped to run a quick errand before going home and forgot to send a text explaining where I'm at. I feel like I just can't get away and that he's always mad about such silly stuff! I'm scared to say anything to Alex about it, and I don't really know what to do." What could you say?

OK, it sounds like you want to talk to Alex about this, but you're afraid of the response. Am I right?

Stalking is best defined as:

repeated unwanted contact that communicates threat or makes someone fearful

Maria invites Ian over to her place to watch a movie. They consensually cuddle and kiss. It gets late, and Maria falls asleep during the movie. Ian wants to keep touching her, but she's not responding. What should Ian do in this situation?

Ian should stop cuddling and touching Maria.

Your roommate mentions that she's received some unexpected friend requests on her social media accounts lately from people she's not totally sure she's met. She's still getting to know people on campus and she wants to make friends, so she accepted a few of the requests that seemed kind of familiar to her. A few days later, she tells you that her ex-boyfriend has been making creepy comments to her friends about stuff like what she's wearing to class, who she's been walking around campus with, and where she's been going to lunch. She says that she thinks her ex-boyfriend might have created a social media account using a fake name to watch her. She tells you she doesn't feel safe. What should you say to her?

I'm so sorry this is happening and it's not OK that you feel unsafe. I think our school has people who can help. I can look into some resources with you if you want, just let me know.

Posting or sharing sexually explicit photos of someone without that person's permission is:

sexual harassment

You and your friend Jen are out to lunch one day. You're excited to get together because the last few times you've made plans, she's canceled at the last minute. Just as you're beginning to catch up, her phone rings. She ignores it, and immediately gets a text. After reading it, she seems upset. You ask if anything is wrong, and she shows you the text from her romantic partner, Alex. "Jen — you didn't tell me where you were going for lunch. Why not?? I don't deserve to be ignored. Not sure why you do this to me. Do you not want to be with me?" What do you say to her?

"Hmmm... How do you feel about this?"

"Freezing-up" or being unable to move or respond physically during a traumatic event is an example of:

trauma-induced paralysis

You see someone you're sitting next to in your English 101 class copy down the email address of another student from the attendance sheet that your professor passes around at the beginning of every class. You think it's a little odd, but it doesn't seem like a big deal at the time. In class the following week, you sit with Destiny, a friend from your dorm. She tells you that she's been receiving a lot of anonymous, sexually suggestive "love emails" from someone who signs them, "Your crush in English 101." She says that she's scared and upset about this and wants it to stop. You recall what you saw last week and you strongly suspect you know who's emailing Destiny. What should you say to her?

I'm sorry that's happening. I'd be upset if that was happening to me, too. I think our Title IX Coordinator may be able to help. Do you want me to go with you to talk to them about this?

Jen says, "I don't know, I guess Alex is just a little intense sometimes. I mean, he's always calling or texting and demands to know where I am all the time. He also insists on picking me up to make sure I get home safely. But I shouldn't complain. Alex is literally always there for me, so it's probably not a big deal for me to just chill. I should be grateful for all of the attention. It's just exhausting." How do you respond?

It seems like you're in a bit of a difficult situation and, if you're interested, I'd be willing to help think this through with you. Would you want to talk about this a little?

Anjali and Sonia have been friends for a long time, but recently their relationship became physical. One night, after they started kissing, Anjali pulls back and says, "Wait for a second — I'm not sure ..." Sonia is confused because, on other occasions, they've taken things further than just kissing. What should Sonia do?

Sonia should stop kissing Anjali because Anjali is expressing uncertainty about continuing.

You see your good friend Tiana walking by herself past a group of guys. One of the guys yells at her, "Hey, can I get some of that?" Some of the other guys start laughing and cheering for the person who made the remark, although two of them look uncomfortable with what's happening. Select the response that most closely describes how you might step in to help Tiana.

Approach Tiana and walk with her. Make small talk and ask her if you can accompany her to her destination.

Jameel and Kim have been dating for a while. Jameel has been interested in a particular sexual activity for a long time and shared this wish with Kim. Kim is not interested in that activity and has said "no" when Jameel has suggested it in the past. One night, Jameel repeatedly asks Kim to try the activity and says that he feels like her continuing refusal must mean that she's not really into him anymore. Kim seems unsure and hesitant, but finally agrees. What should Jameel do?

Jameel should not engage in this activity with Kim. It's clear from Kim's previous responses and current hesitation that she's not comfortable.

Your best friend Brody and his partner Shawn had a dramatic break-up a few weeks ago. Brody wanted to get back together, but Shawn asked Brody to stop contacting him. Brody is still really upset and last week he pasted Shawn's face onto a bunch of pornographic photos and started emailing one a day to everyone on Shawn's soccer team. Brody just told you about this and you can tell that he thinks it's pretty funny. He also shared that he's shown up at a few of Shawn's soccer practices as well, sitting in his car to watch Shawn and "see how his prank is playing out." What should you say to him?

Whoa! This isn't funny — and really hurtful to Shawn. Plus, the guys on the team are probably pretty offended, too. Also, you can't just show up at soccer practice. It will make you look bad if others find out and you could get into trouble.

If you observe someone who is making another person uncomfortable or attempting to take advantage of them, options to intervene include:

all of the above

Who can commit sexual harassment?

all of the above