Marshall
University released a statement early Saturday morning regarding an alleged
sexual assault in South Freshman Hall. The statement was sent to all Marshall
students and staff:
Earlier
this morning, Saturday, April 2, 2011, a female reported an alleged sexual
assault by a male acquaintance in the South Freshman Residence Hall on
Marshall's Huntington campus. This was reported by a friend of the alleged
victim. At this time, the alleged victim does not wish to pursue charges and
has not identified the alleged assailant.
We
do not have information that suggests an immediate threat of assault for
members of the campus community, but students are asked to always be cautious
and to take the steps below to help prevent sexual assault by an
acquaintance.
If
you have information you wish to share with regard to this alleged assault or
if you wish to report any incidents or emergencies on campus, contact the
Marshall University Police Department at (304) 696-4357. Off campus, call
911.
-
Marshall University Police Department
Reducing
your risk of acquaintance rape
If
someone is pressuring you to have sex when you don't want to,
• say
"no" clearly and forcefully.
• move
away from the person.
• make
an excuse to get out of the room – "I have to go to the bathroom." – then
leave or call for help.
• fight
back if you feel you can.
• yell
loudly for help. Don't be afraid to yell "rape"!
• get
away as soon as you can.
Remember,
sex without consent is rape, whether the offender is a stranger or someone you
know.
Use
Caution
• Let
someone know where you are going.
• Do
not go off alone with someone you do not know well or who makes you feel
uncomfortable.
• Meet
at a public place.
• Trust
your instincts; if it doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.
• Be
cautious in new relationships. Go out with a group of friends until you know
that person better.
Stay
Alert
• Pay
attention to your suroundings. Avoid isolated places.
• Know
the effects of drugs and alcohol. Be aware of what you are drinking and how
much you are drinking. In reported rapes, at least 75 % of males and 55 % of
females had been drinking or taking drugs.
• Do
not leave beverages unattended or accept drinks from anyone you don't know
well or trust.
Stay
in Charge
• Staying
in charge means saying what you want and knowing what you are
doing.
• Always
carry a cell phone and money to make a call. Call your family or a trusted
friend to come get you if you feel unsafe. Remember, it is better to get into
trouble for being somewhere you shouldn't be than to be raped.
Set
Limits
• Communicate
your limits clearly and directly. Insist on being treated with respect.
Reducing
the risk of being the victim of a drug-facilitated sexual assault:
• Don't
drink beverages that you did not open yourself.
• Don't
share or exchange drinks with anyone.
• Don't
take a drink from a punch bowl.
• Don't
drink from a container that is being passed around.
• If
someone offers you a drink at the bar/club or at a party, accompany the person
to get your drink, watch the drink being poured and carry the drink
yourself.
• Don't
leave your drink unattended while talking, dancing, using the restroom or
making a phone call.
• If
you leave your drink unattended, discard it.
• Don't
drink anything that has an unusual taste or appearance (e.g. salty taste,
excessive foam, unexplained residue).
• Don't
mix different types of alcoholic beverages.
• Don't
mix drugs and alcohol.
• Limit
alcohol consumption so you are better able to assess your surroundings,
especially if you are in a group setting or with someone you do not know well
or trust.
• When
drinking alcohol in social settings, make arrangements with a friend to
leave together.
Reducing
your risk for stranger rape:
• Use
dead bolts locks on your doors.
• Make
sure sliding glass doors and windows are locked.
• Lock
your car doors when travelling.
• Don't
leave mail on the seat of your car disclosing your home address.
• Avoid
hitchhiking and picking up hitchhikers.
• If
you are followed, do not drive home. Drive to a busy lighted area or law
enforcement agency.
• Carry
a cellular phone in your car.
• Yell
to attract attention if you need help.
(Information
provided by the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and
Services,www.fris.org)
The
Parthenon is investigating the student's claim. Pick up Monday's edition of
The Parthenon for more
information.