Perspectives on responses to sexual assault

The advice we would give to anyone involved is, number one, don’t perpetuate rape culture. PLEASE, don’t perpetuate rape culture! Don’t have your first question be “What were you wearing or drinking?” People still say…

In the actual definition-base, I’ll take the issue with the immediate designation of those reporting assault as a “survivor.” For me, [from a] legal standpoint – just from a language stand point, [this] immediately shifts…

You can go through the SANE program, and they will not go to the police right away. You have up to six months or maybe longer where they will store that evidence to give you…

I mean, when it comes to giving someone advice, you can give them advice, but most of the time, you just need to be someone to listen. If you’re giving suggestions, you can’t be insistent.…

I think people should maybe be more aware of informal resolution because I never really knew that existed or that it was an option. I mean, it’s a good way for people not to get…

Participant 1: I wonder if there could be a part [of the policy] that would be like, “have you sexually [pause]- do you feel like there are shades of grey?” Because maybe they had sex…

I know that language can be a huge barrier and also when you look around, and all you see are white faces, and you are not [white], that can be very intimidating and unwelcoming. So,…

If my friend disclosed to me, I think I would want to know whether she felt safe at that moment. I’d ask what she needed from me, how I could help in terms of talking,…

Participant 1: You would have to listen, and from my personal experience, I’ve always found support in my peers. So, talking to someone who has either experienced sexual assault or somebody trained in it and…