Sexual Assault Prevention

Facts about sex and alcohol on college campuses

• As many as 70% of college students admit to having engaged in sexual activity primarily as a result of being under the influence of alcohol.
• 90% of all campus rapes occur when alcohol has been used by either the assailant or the victim.
• At least one in five college student abandons safe sex practices when they're drunk, even if they do protect themselves when they are sober.
• 55% of female students and 75% of male students involved in acquaintance rape admit to having been drinking or using drugs when the incident occurred.
• 60% of college women who are infected with STIs report that they were under the influence of alcohol at the time they had intercourse with the infected person.

What To Do If You are Raped or Sexually Assaulted

Contact the Peer Advocates, Wellesley's on campus group dedicated to violence and sexual assault prevention and crisis intervention. They have been trained by the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.

If the incident occurred within the last 24-72 hours:

Call the police and file a report. You may need to go in the station to do this, or you may be directed to go to the hospital emergency room for an examination. If possible, do not shower, bathe, eat or drink before you are examined. Bring a change of clothes with you to the hospital because the police will need to keep the clothes you were wearing during the assault as evidence.

Even if you decide not to press charges, it is still extremely important that you be examined by a doctor. You may have contracted an STI for which you should receive immediate treatment.

• Ask to speak to a counselor at the Stone Center. Appointments may be made either by coming to the Counseling Service at Simpson East, Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, or by calling x2839.
• Call RAINN (Rape and Incest National Network) at 800-656-4673 for a victims services office nearby.
• File an anonymous report with Campus Police, Health Services, the Stone Center, or residential life.

Tactics to Avoid Getting Involved in a Dangerous Sexual Situation

• Avoid drinking too much. Alcohol impairs your ability to make smart choices.
• Talk to your date beforehand to make sure you are on the same page about where the night is going.
• Don't go back to someone's room or leave a party with someone you don't know well.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel at all uncomfortable, get out of the situation.
• When going out on a date with someone new, make sure to tell a friend what your plans are so that someone knows where you will be.
• Take a self defense class. Wellesley's PE department offers self defense throughout the year.

What To Do If You're in an Abusive Relationship

• We know it's easier said than done, but get out. You don't have to tolerate abuse of any kind.
• Seek help at the Stone Center.
• Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE.

*Source: American Council for Drug Education