xavier-university-power-and-gender-based-violence

Xavier University Power and Gender-Based Violence Information, Education, and Prevention Xavier University takes sexual assault, rape, intimate partner violence, stalking, and sexual harassment seriously Students, faculty, staff and community members can learn about our efforts to prevent power and gender-based violence, how to report it if it does occur, how we will respond, and where to find support in Xavier’s Student Handbook or Harassment Code & Accountability Procedures REPORTING AND ADVOCACY/SUPPORT RESOURCES Xavier University offers several resources to assist victims of power and gender-based violence and to educate our community For a full description of each resource with confidentiality considerations, please visit Xavier’s Title IX Office website • • • • • • • • CALL 911 immediately for off-campus emergencies CALL Xavier University Police Department at 513-745-1000 GET 24/7 confidential support and advocacy through Xavier’s Campus Advocacy Coordinator at 513-9049013 or local service provider Women Helping Women (serving individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientation) at its 24/7 hotline 513-381-5610 RECEIVE an exam by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) at a hospital, such as Good Samaritan Hospital or University of Cincinnati Medical Center A SANE is a registered nurse trained to provide comprehensive care to a sexual assault patient and to collect evidence If you believe that you have been sexually assaulted, it is best to contact a SANE as soon as possible To best preserve evidence, it is best not to bathe, shower, change clothes, use the bathroom, douche, smoke or brush your teeth after the assault Even if these actions have been taken, a SANE exam can still be performed and evidence may be present XUPD will transport or arrange for transport of victims of sexual assault to the hospital; a police report is not required for this transportation service Xavier’s Campus Advocacy Coordinator or a Women Helping Women can accompany a victim to the hospital and remain there A SANE exam is free of charge to victims REPORT to Xavier’s Title IX & Interpersonal Violence Response Office at lawsonk1@xavier.edu or 513-7453046 MAKE an anonymous report through Xavier’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline at 855-481-6238 RECEIVE confidential, free counseling at Counseling Services at 513-745-3022 or Psychological Services at 513-745-3531 SEEK SUPPORT through Xavier’s confidential sexual assault support group by contacting Counseling Services at 513-745-3022 FACTS • An individual should not be blamed for experiencing power and gender-based violence There is no mistake in judgment or “poor decision” that can make a person “deserve” to be victimized by another person • Victims and perpetrators of power and gender-based violence can be all sexes, gender identities, and sexual orientations • Most perpetrators know the victim and have some level of trust and rapport before perpetrating against that person • Power and gender-based violence is about the perpetrator asserting power and control over the victim RISK REDUCTION THROUGH KNOWLEDGE & PLANNING The more our community knows about the facts and realities of power and gender-based violence, the better we are prepared to respond if something happens to us or someone we know Below are some tips on reducing risk and how to help someone else who may have experienced power and gender-based violence • • • • • • Educate yourself! The more you know about how most perpetrators engaged in power and gender-based violence and the resources available to potential victims, the better prepared you will be if something happens to you or someone you know Trust your instincts— if something doesn’t feel right, speak up and seek resources If you feel unsafe in any situation, go with your gut If you see someone isolating another person who looks uncomfortable or who may be intoxicated, intervene! Let the person trying to remove your friend from the group know that you will be taking her or him home Be aware of the effects of drugs used to facilitate power and gender-based violence, particularly sexual violence If you feel extremely tired, out of it or more intoxicated for amount of alcohol you may have consumed, you may have been drugged Find your friends and ask them to leave with you as soon as possible If you see a friend reacting in a way that is atypical for the amount of alcohol they have consumed or they are acting out of character for the situation, ask them to leave with you and get them to a safe place immediately Talk with your friends about watching out for each other and not leaving one person behind BEFORE you go out-have a plan and stick to it! Be true to yourself You are not obligated to anything you don't want to "I don't want to" is always a good enough reason Do what feels right to you and what you are comfortable with