August 30, 2013
From all of us here at The SASC, we welcome you to UBC!
The Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) is excited for the new academic year as we’re sure you are too.
We must remember the realities of campus life, especially those that are tough to think about. UBC is an amazing campus, full of life and community. This, however, does not make it immune to the realities of everyday life. Sexualized violence is one of those things that is hard to talk about, hard to think about, and yet happens everywhere in the world.
Sexual Assault is any unwanted act of a sexual nature (i.e. kissing, touching, oral or anal sex, intercourse or other forms of penetration) that is imposed on another person without consent. Sexual assault is an act of power and control and is against the law. Sexual assault can happen in and outside of relationships.
· 4 out of 5 female undergrads are victims of violence in a dating relationship.
· Only 6% of sexual assaults are reported to the police.
· 60% of college age males say that they would commit sexual assault if they were certain of not being caught.
· More than 80% of rapes that occur on university and college campuses are committed by someone the victim knows.
· Many on-campus sexual assaults happen in the first 8 weeks of classes.
So, as you enter your year at UBC, your friendly campus Sexual Assault Support Centre provides you with the following survivor-centered safety tips:
1. Practice informed consent.
2. Communicate with your partner/date about safe sex, what their allergies are, what their preferences are, etc.
3. If you are not sure about what your partner/date wants, stop and ask.
4. Know that you can say no at any time during a sexual encounter. Just because you said yes to kissing, doesn’t mean you have agreed to anything else.
5. If you know a friend who has survived sexual assault, be a supportive friend. Don’t pressure them to tell their story. Remember that not everyone wants to report the incident to Police or talk to a professional.
6. Inform yourself about common myths and facts about sexual assault.
7. If you have survived any form of sexualized violence, know that it is not your fault.
8. You can come to The Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) for emotional support, even if it happened today, yesterday, or years ago.
9. Talking about sex might seem awkward, but in reality it is the best way to have a good time with your partner(s)/date(s). If you want to have the best sexual experience, you must be able to communicate what you want (and don’t want). Also, you want your partner(s)/date(s) to have a good time, and to make sure they’re enjoying it; you can check in with them and ask what they need/want.
We must remember the realities of campus life, especially those that are tough to think about. UBC is an amazing campus, full of life and community. This, however, does not make it immune to the realities of everyday life. Sexualized violence is one of those things that is hard to talk about, hard to think about, and yet happens everywhere in the world.
Sexual Assault is any unwanted act of a sexual nature (i.e. kissing, touching, oral or anal sex, intercourse or other forms of penetration) that is imposed on another person without consent. Sexual assault is an act of power and control and is against the law. Sexual assault can happen in and outside of relationships.
· 4 out of 5 female undergrads are victims of violence in a dating relationship.
· Only 6% of sexual assaults are reported to the police.
· 60% of college age males say that they would commit sexual assault if they were certain of not being caught.
· More than 80% of rapes that occur on university and college campuses are committed by someone the victim knows.
· Many on-campus sexual assaults happen in the first 8 weeks of classes.
So, as you enter your year at UBC, your friendly campus Sexual Assault Support Centre provides you with the following survivor-centered safety tips:
1. Practice informed consent.
2. Communicate with your partner/date about safe sex, what their allergies are, what their preferences are, etc.
3. If you are not sure about what your partner/date wants, stop and ask.
4. Know that you can say no at any time during a sexual encounter. Just because you said yes to kissing, doesn’t mean you have agreed to anything else.
5. If you know a friend who has survived sexual assault, be a supportive friend. Don’t pressure them to tell their story. Remember that not everyone wants to report the incident to Police or talk to a professional.
6. Inform yourself about common myths and facts about sexual assault.
7. If you have survived any form of sexualized violence, know that it is not your fault.
8. You can come to The Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) for emotional support, even if it happened today, yesterday, or years ago.
9. Talking about sex might seem awkward, but in reality it is the best way to have a good time with your partner(s)/date(s). If you want to have the best sexual experience, you must be able to communicate what you want (and don’t want). Also, you want your partner(s)/date(s) to have a good time, and to make sure they’re enjoying it; you can check in with them and ask what they need/want.