Sexual Assault

By definition, sexual assault is any sexual contact committed without consent or by using force or threats. The law states that an intoxicated person is unable to give consent. And silence is not consent. These are just the bare facts to know as a baseline, but if this happens to you or someone you know, the Dean of Students office will guide you through the process of recovery, and reporting to police should you choose to do so.

Sexual Violence Policy

What happens next

The university will aggressively prosecute perpetrators who engage in sex offenses, utilizing law enforcement agencies and established university procedures. If you or a friend has been sexually assaulted, please report it. If a sexual assault is reported to or witnessed by a university employee, they are required by law to report it.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Student Disciplinary Procedures (University of Wisconsin System - Chapter UWS 17) provides specific authority for the University to discipline students who engage in conduct which constitutes a danger to the personal safety of others. Section 17.06(1) authorizes disciplinary action against a student "for intentional conduct which constitutes a serious danger to the personal safety of other members of the University community or guests." Disciplinary sanctions under this provision would include actions affecting the status of the student including probation, suspension or expulsion. A full description of these procedures is available on request from the Dean of Students Office.

Victims are not required to give their name when reporting an assault. However, if the victim's name is provided, the Dean of Students Office will be able to assist the victim in a variety of ways. Assistance could include providing alternate living locations in residence halls, alternate enrollments in courses and academic arrangements, and assistance in obtaining "No-contact" or "Restraining Orders."

Victims are also not required to provide the name of the perpetrator, however, if identifying information is provided, the Dean of Students office will investigate and take action under the Blugold Code of Conduct.

File a report of sexual assault

 Responding local agencies

Dynamics of Sexual Assault

Both men and women are victims of sexual assault, but the vast majority of victims are women. In the United States, 1 out of every 6 women has been raped during her lifetime and 1 out of every 33 men. Of all rape victims identified in a national survey of 8,000 women and 8,005 men, 85% of the victims were women and 14.2 percent were men.

No matter what the biological sex of the victim is, the perpetrator tends to be a man. In 2006, the National Institute of Justice reported that 99.6% of female victims and 85.2% of male victims were raped by men. Less than 1% of female victims and 18.2% of male victims were raped by women. (Because some victims had been raped by a man and a woman, the total exceeds 100%.) For more statistics about rape and sexual assault, download the Sexual Assault Victims Report

Rape is an act of violence, not sex. It is not the result of sexual desire or sexual deprivation. Perpetrators tend to be motivated by control and anger. Part of their gratification comes from gaining power over the victim or discharging anger. For example, heterosexual men have raped gay men as a form of gay bashing, acts based on hate.

All rape, no matter what the biological sex of the victim is, tends to be inspired by feelings of power, discharging anger or eroticizing aggression.

Preventing Sexual Assault

Because sexual assault is a crime based on power and violence, the most profound form of prevention would be to change our society's construction of power, control and gender norms. Identifying and holding perpetrators accountable is also profoundly important. While only a small fraction of men commit sexual violence, they tend to perpetrate multiple times. Hence, reporting, investigating and holding perpetrators accountable is vital to eliminating sexual violence.

Bystander Intervention

You can play a vital role in the prevention of sexual assault and sexual violence by being able to identify unsafe situations and knowing when and how to intervene safely. UW Eau Claire provides bystander intervention training, please contact the Dean of Students for information about upcoming training. The National Sexual Violence Recourse Center provides free online education on the role of bystanders in preventing sexual violence. For more information contact the UWEC Center for the Awareness of Sexual Assault or visit the Prevent Connect website for online training resources.

Tips for risk reduction

Even if a victim does everything "right" in terms of risk reduction, she/he can still be raped. Also, a victim should never be blamed for the assault – the perpetrator made the choice to take advantage of the situation to commit a crime. The most important thing to remember is that the criminal frequently plans the crime, looking for the right chance —and the easiest victim. The best defense is to eliminate the opportunity for attack or to create the belief in the person's mind that the opportunity doesn't exist. Play it safe. Read the following suggestions and exercise commonsense and caution. People can be and are being sexually assaulted by friends, family, neighbors, dates, acquaintances, co-workers, service people, etc. In most cases the criminal is known to the victim and often trusted. Such situations are called Acquaintance Rape.

• Accepting a ride or going home with someone you have just met, perhaps at a party — no matter how pleasant he/she may seem, may put you at risk.
• Use alcohol responsibly. The use of alcohol and drugs is often related to incidents of acquaintance rape - alcohol is the number one date-rape drug. If you are in a situation where people are abusing alcohol and drugs, you may be at higher risk for harm and should exercise caution.
• Say no when you mean no; say yes when you mean yes. Intentional, healthy sexual communication is critical when engaging in any sexual contact.
• Believe in your right to express your feelings and learn how to do so assertively.
• Trust your instincts. Be aware of specific situations in which you do not feel relaxed or in charge.

Reacting to rape and sexual assault

Victims often feel shocked or numb. Some of the psychological and behavioral reactions experienced may include:

• Feeling ashamed, as if it was somehow your fault that this happened. It wasn't your fault. Even if you made yourself vulnerable somehow, that doesn't give someone else permission to take advantage of your vulnerability.
• Being angry with your assailant -- or even with your friends, roommates and other people -- when the reality of what happened begins to sink in.
• Having an overwhelming feeling of fear that life will never be the same again.
• Experiencing a change in your eating and sleeping patterns.
• Feeling depressed.
• Crying at unexpected times.
• Having nightmares.
• Abusing alcohol or other substances as a means of escaping the pain.
• Feeling as if you don't know who you can trust any more.

If you're experiencing some of these reactions, remember that this is a normal part of the response to the trauma you've experienced. Reach out for help, both professional assistance and support from family and friends, if possible. You don't have to go through this alone.

Students can seek confidential services from the Center for the Awareness of Sexual Assault (CASA); the UWEC Counseling Services, and Student Health Services. These services will help you explore the range of options available to you, and they serve all students regardless of gender. You will not be pressured to make a Dean of Students or police report if you don't want to do so.