Sexual Assault

What is sexual assault?

 Sexual assault is any unwanted, coerced, or forced sexual contact or intercourse OR sexual contact or intercourse with someone who is not able to give consent (e.g. under the influence of alcohol or drugs or asleep). Sexual assault can involve the sexual penetration of a body orifice, but also includes other unwanted sexual contact. Victims can be either women or men. Most victim/survivors know the perpetrators who may be the victim’s/survivor’s best friend, lover, partner, date, family member, neighbor, teacher, employer, doctor, or classmate. The perpetrator can be a boyfriend or girlfriend. Sexual assault can occur between members of the opposite sex or same sex. Alcohol, date rape drugs, or other substances may be involved.

 What if this happens to me? If you are sexually assaulted you may want to consider:

• Finding a safe place
• Calling a friend
• Calling for assistance
• Contacting Campus Safety or The Boston Police Department
• Seeking medical treatment
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, (anytime)
• Preserving evidence