Sexual Assault Info

sexual assault InFormatIon It haPPens here

It haPPens here Sexual harassment and assault is a conversation that nobody enjoys talking about but everyone must be aware of. It Happens Here is a campaign against sexual violence closely associated with the Oxford Student Union with the aim of preventing sexual assault through educational events, protecting survivors, and empowering them to report their experience.

What Is sexual assault? Sexual assault is any sexual activity conducted using coercion or without consent.

What Is Consent? Consent is the freedom and capacity to choose. Passivity is NOT consent and the conversation around sexual activity has increasingly adopted the term ‘enthusiastic consent’ to reflect this.

What does Consent look lIke? • Engaged body language: nodding, initiating physical contact, kissing, etc • Verbal encouragement: “Yes,” “Keep going,” “Don’t stop,” etc

What does non-Consent look lIke? • Disengaged body language: tense / stiff body, unresponsive, turning away, etc • Verbal discouragement: “No,” “Stop”, “I don’t want to,” silence, etc.

If you experience sexual harassment or assault you can reach out for help. There are services both within the University and outside of it which will support you through the process.

oxForD unIversItY has a DeDIcateD sexual harassment anD vIolence suPPort servIce . admin@supportservice.ox.ac.uk

All students can access it regardless of age or gender, whether you have experienced sexual violence in Oxford or somewhere else, and no matter how long ago this was. It offers a safe space to be heard in that is independent of your college or department. The service’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor will talk you through your reporting options - whether this is to your college, the university or the police. Trained advisors at the Service can also assess your immediate health needs, discuss therapeutic options and provide practical support.

oxFordshIre sexual aBuse and raPe CrIsIs Centre (osarCC): Rape Crisis Centres are charities set up to support survivors of sexual violence through counselling, support groups, and advocacy. They offer appointments and have an online help system to talk you through the options.

admin@osarcc.org.uk 01865 725311

reFuge: An independent sexual advisory service for both men and women aged 16 or over.

0800 221 8186

sexual assault reFerral Centres (sarCs): This is a centre made up of specially trained advisors and is the first port of call recommended by the NHS after an assault. The nearest SARC to Oxford is Solace SARC, Bicester. Some colleges may reimburse taxis there and back.

0800 970 9952

Your case will be referred to a Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLO). The police have specialist teams who are trained to handle cases of rape and sexual assault and it is within your rights to request an officer or staff member who is of the same gender as you. If you contact the Police, they can refer you to a SARC, and vice versa.

CallIng 999: If you call 999, you may be directed to the police or the hospital. Oxford Students can attend the GUM clinic at Churchill Hospital for an STI check or for emergency contraception. Sexual Health Advisors there are trained to support survivors of sexual assault.

If you decide to build a criminal case against the perpetrator, consider reporting immediately to the police through phoning 999 or 101. Reporting immediately means you may be able to collect DNA evidence. This can be a lengthy and emotional process. If the assault has happened very recently, keep the clothes you were wearing and don’t wash them. If possible, do not shower. Forensic evidence usually must be collected within 72 hours in a legal defence.

The UK has no statute of limitations on how long you can wait before reporting rape or sexual assault to the police. Contact police on the non-emergency 101 line and speak briefly to the operator about what has happened to you. You will then be put through to a specially trained officer, who will take your initial statement and arrange a time and place to take a more detailed one. You will not be asked to face the perpetrator. You can also report the crime to a SARC, where a Crisis Worker will listen carefully to understand what has happened to you, when it happened and what your situation is now.

The Student Union conduct events for awareness and education of sexual assault throughout the year. Mandatory consent workshops for first-year undergraduates have taken place in Fresher’s Week in every college since 2016, run by trained students. Beyond Fresher’s Week, the Student Union put on voluntary panel discussions, film screenings, and talks designed to educate people about sexual violence and provide survivors with an opportunity to discuss their experiences. The latter is similarly the goal of the ‘Survivors Stand Together’ social gatherings that take place twice a term, including activities such as games and crafts. The Student Union has conducted LGBTQ+, BME, and disability focused events in order to promote a greater understanding of how sexual violence affects particularly minority vulnerable groups. They also remain committed to raising awareness about male sexual violence survivors.

Every member of It Happens Here is proficient in First Response, a training which teaches individuals how to respond appropriately to disclosures of sexual violence and best support the survivor. These It Happens Here members will be knowledgeable in the procedures of reporting, support services and medical attention.

Further information can be found at the official Student Union It Happens Here website:

https://www.oxfordsu.org/campaigns/ithappenshere/