Sexual Assault

The University of Denver has an office dedicated to working with students, staff, and faculty on issues of gender violence. The Gender Violence Education and Support Services office located in Nelson Residence Hall provides free and confidential advice to survivors of gender violence as well as their friends and family. Gender violence encompasses sexual assault, stalking, dating and domestic violence. Please call 303-871-3853 or email Lisa Ingarfield, the Program Director for an appointment.

You can also call the Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate (SASA) Network for free and confidential advice about next steps or simply to talk about something. The team is a group of trained DU volunteers who are on call 24/7 during the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Call 303.871.3456.

Sexual Assault Facts

Campus Sexual Assault According to a 1993 survey of 6,000 college students:

• one of four college females reported being victims of rape or attempted rape during preceding year
• 90% of rapes go unreported
• 50% of males believe women say “no” when they actually mean “yes”
• women need to say “no” an average of three times before they are believed
• 30% of male students continued sexual advances after partner said “no” and one of every six admitted forcing sexual contact
  Acquaintance/Date Rape is a serious violation of the code of student conduct. The act will be handled as a campus disciplinary matter resulting in possible dismissal. Sexual assault is a crime in Colorado. Victims are strongly encouraged to report the crime to the local police.
• Over 84% of sexual assaults on a college campus are perpetrated by someone known to the survivor - a friend, partner, colleague, classmate, roommate, floor mate (Warshaw, R "I Never Called It Rape" 1988; Department Of Justice Report, 2001).

Ways to Avoid Circumstances that Might lead to Sexual Assault

Men:

• Understand your sexual desires and limits. You are responsible for your actions as an individual and as a member of a group. Be aware of and resist negative social pressure.
• Being turned down when you ask for sexual relations is not a rejection of you personally. A woman who says “no” to sexual relations is not necessarily rejecting you; she is expressing her unwillingness to participate in a specific act at a specific time.
• Accept the woman’s decision. “No” means “no.” Don’t read in other meanings. Don’t continue after the woman says “no”.
• Don’t assume that just because a woman flirts or dresses in a manner you consider sexy that she wants to engage in sexual activity.
• Don’t assume that previous permission for sexual activity applies to the current situation.
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol and drugs.
  Alcohol and drugs interfere with clear thinking and effective communication.

Women:

• Understand your sexual desires and limits. Believe in your right to set those limits. If you are not sure, stop.
• Communicate your limits clearly. If someone starts to offend you, tell him so, firmly and promptly. Polite approaches might be misunderstood or ignored. Say “no” when you mean “no.
• Be assertive; passivity might be interpreted as permission. Be direct and firm with someone who is pressuring you sexually.
• Pay attention to what is happening around you. If you feel threatened, don’t be embarrassed to ask for help or to leave.
• Trust your intuition. If you feel you are being pressured into unwanted sexual relations, don’t hesitate to express your unwillingness, even if it might appear rude.
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drugs interfere with clear thinking, effective communication, and your ability to respond in your own best interest.

If You or a Friend have been Sexually Assaulted

Rape can be terrifying and traumatic. After a rape, it’s not uncommon to feel fearful, confused, guilty, ashamed, or isolated. You do not have to deal with these feelings alone. There are many concerned people at the University of Denver and in the community to help you.

For more information, click here.

For Immediate Help:

• Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate (SASA) Network, 303.871.3456. This is a free and confidential team of DU volunteers trained in sexual assault response. They are on call 24/7 in the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters to help you. They can assist you with next steps, talk to you about your experience, or just be there to listen. Calling the SASA Network is not the same as reporting. You can also call the Metro Denver 24/7 rape crisis center hotline at 303.322.7273 or visit the RAAP website.
• Gender Violence Education and Support Services Office (GVESS), 303-871-3853. This is an office at DU dedicated to working with survivors of gender violence. Gender Violence includes sexual assault, stalking, dating and domestic violence. The office is located in Nelson Residence Hall, room 103. You can also email the Program Director, Lisa Ingarfield at lingarfi@du.edu. Services are free and confidential. The GVESS Office provides services to all who need them regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, and veteran status.
• Get to a safe place.
• Call a friend, family member, counselor-on-call, resident assistant, or victim advocate for support.
• Call Campus Safety or the Police Department to make a report. They can assist in transporting you to the hospital if you want. Going to the hospital for an exam does not mean you have to report the crime. A Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Network member can meet you there for support. Ask Campus Safety to page them or call yourself at 303-871-3456 (during the Fall, Winter, Spring quarters 24/7).

  When call either Campus Safety or Denver Police Department, you may request a woman officer if that is your preference. Below are some useful resource numbers.

• Try to fight the urge to shower, bathe, douche, change clothes, or straighten up the area. You will destroy evidence you may need.

   

• Remember, you are not alone; there are resources to assist you. If you have been sexually assaulted it is not your fault. No one deserves to be abused.

Useful Resources