What is Sexual Assault?


Sexual assault is physical contact of a sexual nature in the absence of clear, knowing and voluntary consent.

An individual cannot consent who is:

• obviously incapacitated by any drug or intoxicant
• who has been purposely compelled by force, threat of force, or deception
  
• who is unaware that the act is being committed
  
• whose ability to consent or resist is obviously impaired because of mental or physical condition
• who is coerced by supervisory or disciplinary authority.

A victim of sexual assault is never responsible for the assault. Since it is impossible to guess which situations are safe and which are dangerous, the responsibility for ending sexual assault falls solely on the perpetrators!!

Vanderbilt University Policy on Sexual Assault
Vanderbilt University desires to establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment for all members of the University community. The University, by providing resources for prevention, education, support, and a fair disciplinary process, seeks to eliminate all forms of sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct of any kind represents socially irresponsible behavior and will not be tolerated by the University community.

It is a serious violation of University policy to engage in sexual conduct or activity without the consent of the other person. Consent may be withdrawn at any time, without regard to the activity that preceded the withdrawal of the consent. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to, actual or attempted rape or sexual battery.

A student who violates this policy can be prosecuted n the courts of this state and, in addition, may be suspended or expelled from the University for the first offense.


Tennessee State Law
Rape: Sexual penetration, no matter how slight, of the genital, anal, and/or oral openings of the victim by any part of the perpetrator’s body or by use of an object, without the victim’s consent or against the victim’s will.

Sexual Battery: Intentionally touching the victim’s intimate parts (primarily genital area, groin, inner thigh, buttock, or breast) without the victim’s consent.


Myths About Sexual Assault
Myths about sexual assault tend to blame the victim for the attack and excuse the behavior of the rapist. This creates an atmosphere where victims are too ashamed to report and where rapists are not held accountable for their behavior. The following are common myths about acquaintance rape.

Myth: It is not rape if the victim does not resist.
Fact: It is common for rape survivors to indicate that they feared for their lives and were immobilized by that fear. Additionally, few women are trained either physically or mentally to defend themselves. Often a woman’s protest may not be seen as a protest, for example the erroneous belief that a woman’s "No" is really a "Yes." The use of drugs and/or alcohol by a rapist and a victim may also confuse the issue because the victim may be unconscious or unable to give informed consent. Sex without consent is RAPE.

Myth: Women who are raped asked for it.
Fact: Regardless of the way somebody dresses or acts, nobody has the right to rob her of her choice about sexual contact. To choose sexual contact, a woman must give her consent. Simply dressing or behaving a certain way is not a form of consent.

Myth: It can’t happen to me.
Fact: The misconception that only a "certain kind" of woman is raped provides a false sense of security against the knowledge that anyone can be raped.

Myth: Rapes are usually committed by masked strangers hiding in dark alleyways.
Fact: Victims of rape and sexual assault report that in nearly 3 out of 4 incidents, the offender was somebody they knew.

Myth: Women often lie about being raped.
Fact: Only about 2% of all rape and related sex charges are determined to be false, the same percentage as for other felonies. Many cases are dropped because of insufficient evidence for conviction but this should not be confused with false reporting.

Myth: It is impossible to be raped by your husband.
Fact: Nobody has the right to force you to have sex, not even your spouse. Sex without consent is rape. A marriage license is not a license to rape, or a substitute for communicating and establishing consent.

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In compliance with federal law, including the provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Vanderbilt University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or military service in its administration of educational policies, programs, or activities; its admissions policies; scholarship and loan programs; athletic or other University-administered programs; or employment. In addition, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation consistent with University nondiscrimination policy. Inquiries or complaints regarding these issues should be directed to the Opportunity Development Officer, Baker Building, Box 1809, Station B, Nashville, TN 37235. Telephone (615) 322-4705 (V/TDD); Fax (615) 343-4969.