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\nSexual assault on college campuses is a common problem that often goes unreported. It includes any unwanted sexual activity, from unwanted touching to rape. Alcohol and drugs often play a role in sexual assault on campuses. If you have been sexually assaulted, it is not your fault. You are not alone, and you can get help.
\nSexual assault is common among female students of all ages, races, and ethnicities. One in five women in college experiences sexual assault.1
\nStudies show that students are at the highest risk of sexual assault in the first few months of their first and second semesters in college.2
\nWomen who identify as lesbian, bisexual, or gay are more likely to experience sexual assault on college campuses than heterosexual women.1
\nSexual assault happens everywhere and to women and men of all ages. But it is common on college campuses, and, among adults, sexual assault happens most often to traditionally college-age women (18\u201324). Colleges that get federal funding are required to publicly report sexual assault.
\nYou cannot prevent sexual assault because violent or abusive behavior is always the responsibility of the person who is violent or abusive. However, you can take steps to be safer around others and help keep others safe from potential perpetrators:5,6,7
\nFind other tips for safety on campus at the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.
\nIf you are sexually assaulted, it is not your fault, regardless of the circumstances. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are in a safe place, you can call 911 to report the sexual assault to the police as soon as possible.
\nIf the sexual assault happened on campus or the person who harmed you was a student, you can also report it to school authorities for additional support. The school is required to help you continue your education. There are options to help you feel safe on campus, such as requesting to change class schedules, changing dorms, or obtaining a no-contact order. Schools that receive federal funding may provide other forms of support, such as counseling or tutoring, if you need it because of a sexual assault on campus.
\nWomen who are sexually assaulted may face health problems that include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. But they may also have trouble reporting the assault or getting help they are entitled to from the school. Women may also see the person who harmed them regularly in classes, dorms, or other places on campus, which can make it harder to recover from the assault.
\nOne study found that among rape survivors who stayed on campus, nearly one in three had academic problems and more than one in five considered leaving school.1
\nIf you\u2019ve been sexually assaulted, know that you are not alone. Learn what you can do if you\u2019ve been sexually assaulted. This includes going to school authorities and getting help. Your school is required to help you if you\u2019ve been assaulted on campus.
\nThe risk of rape may be up to five times higher during a semester studying abroad than on a college campus in the United States.9
\nWhen studying abroad, you can follow the same tips that can help you be safer at your home campus. These include being aware of your surroundings, always going out and staying with a group, either not drinking or limiting your drinking to a level at which you still feel in control, and watching your drink at all times.
\nBefore you go, check out information about the country in which you will be living on the U.S. Department of State website Students Abroad. You can enroll in a program called the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to get safety information and connect with the U.S. embassy in the country where you will be studying.
\nSexual Assault Support and Help for Americans Abroad offers pre-travel information, tips for staying safe, and an international crisis line.
\nFor more information about sexual assault on campus, call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 or check out these resources from the following organizations:
\nThis content is provided by the Office on Women's Health.
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