Rape occurs most often in first few weeks of school, campus research shows

Rape occurs most often in first few weeks of school, campus research shows

By Jimi Jo Story
Arizona Daily Wildcat
August 23, 1996

For a new college student, the first weeks of school can offer a world of opportunities, but it is also the time when the greatest dangers exist.
According to research of sexual assaults on university campuses, the majority of sexual assaults occur within the first few weeks of school.
Matt Sanders, program assistant at the Oasis Center for Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence, said most incoming freshmen believe the greatest risk of sexual assault is from a total stranger.
"The 'stranger in the bushes' scenario just isn't the case," Sanders said.
A study by Mary Koss, professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Arizona, states that 8 out of 10 rapes involve someone the victim knows, and over half of rapes involve a date situation.
Often, relationship violence can be the prelude to sexual assault, while poor communication is also a contributor.
"All types of abuse occur within a continuum - the behaviors tend to increase in frequency and severity if there isn't intervention," said Irene Anderson, program coordinator for Oasis.
Anderson said more than 25 percent of college men have behaved in ways that can be defined as rape.
Anderson also said students may not associate relationship violence with sexual assaults until the assault happens.
"Students tend to associate assaults with the worst possible scenario - that may not be the case," Anderson said.
Clear communication is the key to prevention, Anderson said.
"There is a need for both people to communicate clearly and effectively and take the risk of saying what they want and don't want.
Sanders agreed with Anderson, saying that men sometimes think they have consent because the woman does not say anything.
"Alcohol can really confuse the situation," Sanders said. "If a woman is using alcohol, she really can't give consent."
Legally, a woman under the influence of drugs and alcohol cannot give consent to sexual behavior.
A study conducted by Antonia Abbey, assistant professor at Wayne State University, states that over half of campus sexual assaults involve the use of alcohol by the man, the woman, or both.
A study by Koss states 54 percent of women claim to be sexually victimized, but only 25 percent of college men admit any degree of sexually-aggressive behavior.
"Sometimes the perceptions are very different of a shared experience," Anderson said. "Those misperceptions can contribute to mixed messages, confusion and feelings of intimidation."
Anderson said assaults happen when partners are not setting boundaries and communicating limitations about physical and sexual behaviors.
In the past, less than 5 percent of sexual assaults have been reported. However, with the opening of Oasis, both Anderson and Sanders are hoping that statistic will rise.
Oasis offers safe, confidential safe services for students, staff and faculty of the UA who are impacted by sexual assault and relationship violence.
"We are expecting the victims to feel safe and choose to access our services," Anderson said. "It's important to talk about the assault to begin the healing process."
Sanders added that until now, men really have not had a place to go to talk about what did not feel "quite right."
Oasis will provide services to all members of the UA community, regardless of gender, racial, ethnic, religious, and sexual differences.
Along with Oasis, the Campus Acquaintance Rape Educators program is working to increase awareness of sexual assaults and dangers on the UA campus.
Dan Riley, adviser for CARE, said the program offers two classes per year to educate students about sexual assault, with the spring class geared toward men.
"We do peer presentations for residence halls, clubs and organizations, and athletic teams, with a prevention and empowering emphasis," Riley said. "Both men and women need to take responsibility for changing our culture."
CARE will be teaming up with several campus organizations to sponsor Rape Awareness Week, Sept. 23 through 27.
Riley said that some steps students can take toward prevention of sexual assault are to use a buddy system, be cautious of alcohol use - knowing whether behavior values or defenses change, and for men to be certain they have the consent of their partners.
Oasis and CARE are located in the second floor of Old Main.