College not only exposes you to new experiences, but to unseen dangers. One in five women and one is 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college. In order to spread awareness, create prevention, and provide safe ways to report crimes, CAC has teamed with Title IX.

According to College Policy #506: Sexual Misconduct, CAC prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct by students and employees, whether committed by a stranger or an acquaintance, on or off campus, and against either a fellow college member or someone outside the community. Now what defines sexual misconduct?

• “Sexual assault or any sexual content or behavior forced or without consent.” This includes rape [attempted, statutory sodomy], incest, fondling, groping, forcible kissing, and where active consent is absent.
• Stalking is behavior towards a specific person that would cause a person to fear for their safety or the safety of others, or suffer emotional distress. This includes harassment [following the person, showing up unannounced, frequently calling, emailing, text messaging, etc.], persistently contacting a person who has requested it to stop, leaving unwanted notes, objects, or gifts, vandalizing a person’s property, and threatening or intimidating behavior.
• Relationship Violence (including Dating and Domestic violence) is committed by a person who is or has been involved in a romantic or intimate relationship with the the This includes, but is not limited to spouses, intimate partners, someone the victim has a child with. Relationship violence includes abusive behavior to gain or maintain power and control over the other; it can also be physical, sexually, emotional, economic, or psychological abuse.

There are several steps you can takes to prevent sexual assault. It is important to be assertive, direct, and clear in your communication. Take into consideration your nonverbal and verbal communication. When getting in a car with someone you just met, always be alert and on guard. [No matter how nice they seem.] Never leave your drink unattended when at social gatherings. The use of drugs and alcohol can dramatically increase the risk of sexual assault. Both women and men need to always use guidance in social situations. Sexual assault can happen at any time to anyone.

Being in college, you see a lot of things happen. Often times, students brush it off. It doesn’t concern me. They’ll be okay. Since sexual assault can happen when you least expect it, it’s important we intervene instead of being the typical bystander. While you might not know what to do at first, there are a few things you can do:

• If you see someone in immediate danger, call 911 [This a one way you can help without putting yourself in danger.]
• If you see someone acting inappropriately [making lewd comments, attempting intimacy with someone who does not reciprocate or is incapacitated], confront them.
• Believe someone who discloses sexual misconduct.
• Guide victims to resources available on and off campus.

If you or someone you know has experienced such an incident, please contact Jani Attebery, CAC’s Title IX Officer. You can reach her at (520) 494-5421 or [email protected]. You can also visit her in room M113L at Signal Peak. Victims may also contact local police. If you are unfortunately sexually assaulted, try to preserve as much physical evidence as possible. Do not change clothes, bathe, or use the restroom. [If you must change, place clothes in a new paper bag.] Remember, reporting a crime doesn’t mean legal action has to be taken; however, reporting a crime can stop a rapist. For more in depth information, please follow the link attached: http://www.centralaz.edu/Home/Student_Resources/Title_IX.htm

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