Sexual Assault Prevention

A critical part of every healthy sexual experience is consent. You should always make sure that any sexual activity is consensual. Just because you don’t say “no” does not mean “yes.”

Consent is a knowing, voluntary and mutual decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions provide clear permission about a person’s willingness to engage in the sexual activity.

• Just because someone is silent or doesn’t resist does not mean that they consent to the activity
• Consent cannot be given when it is the result of any coercion, intimidation, force or threat of harm
• Consent cannot be given when someone is incapacitated

You need consent every time, with everyone.

• Consent doesn’t vary based upon a participant’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression
• Just because someone consented to one sexual act (including previous sexual activity with anyone) doesn’t mean they consent to another sexual act
• If the person initiating the act is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, you still need their consent
• Even if someone gives consent initially, they can withdraw it at any time

If someone hurts you or takes advantage of you when you’re vulnerable due to using alcohol or other drugs, it’s not your fault. When you’re under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, you may not have the capacity to give consent to sexual activity.

Does your partner know what you want? Do you know what your partner wants? Sexual activity should always be consensual, and should only include what both of you want to do. If you aren’t comfortable talking about what you want sexually from your partner, you may not be ready for sexual activity with them.

Interrupting “locker room talk” and other patterns of casual disrespect can change people’s attitudes and behavior, and even help prevent future sexual violence. You wouldn’t tolerate someone committing sexual violence — and you shouldn’t tolerate them talking about it, either.

• If you see someone who may be in a dangerous situation, help them (if you can do it safely) or get help from others
• If someone is incapacitated, help them get to a safe place

• Disrespectful language and behavior from others
• Any form of prejudice, including sexism, racism and homophobia
• Attitudes and behaviors that degrade people, treat others as inferior or promote sexual violence

Join a sexual violence prevention group, go to a sexual violence prevention event on campus, or take a workshop that will teach you how to help prevent sexual violence.

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion provides guidance for helping students who are victims of sexual assault.

We also encourage you to attend educational workshops and programs related to sexual violence prevention, and request a workshop for your class or group, if appropriate.