Clear definition of terms is a foundational aspect of Wheaton College's approach to sexual violence prevention and response.
Definition of Sexual Violence
Sexual violence is a particular type of sexual harassment that includes physical sexual acts perpetrated when consent is not present, where a person is incapable of giving consent, or coercion and/or force is used. This includes non-consensual sexual contact as well as non-consensual sexual intercourse or penetration, which the Policy defines as follows:
- Non-consensual sexual contact (or attempts to commit the same) is the intentional touching or fondling of a person’s genitals, breasts, thighs, groin, or buttocks, or any other contact of a sexual nature (including by bodily fluids) when consent is not present or coercion and/or force is used. This includes not only direct contact, but also contact through clothing and/or with an object. It also includes causing or inducing a person, when consent is not present, to similarly touch, fondle, or contact oneself or another.
- Non-consensual sexual intercourse or penetration (or attempts to commit the same) is any penetration of the sex organs or anus of another person or penetration of the mouth of another with one’s sex organs when consent is not present or coercion or force is used. This includes penetration or intrusion, however slight, by an object or any part of the body.
As explained further below, sexual violence includes sexual contact, intercourse, and/or penetration while knowing or having reason to know that the individual was incapacitated due to alcohol and/or drug consumption or was otherwise unable to consent. Inducing incapacitation for sexual purposes includes using drugs, alcohol, or other means with the intent to affect or having an actual effect on the ability of an individual to consent or refuse to consent (as "consent" is defined in this policy) is strictly forbidden.
Definition of Consent
Consent means voluntary, informed, and mutual agreement to engage in sexual activity, and may be withdrawn at any time. Refusal to consent does not have to be verbal; it can be expressed with gestures, body language, or attitude. However, a lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the use or threat of force, coercion, manipulation, or intimidation does not constitute consent. Likewise, a person’s manner of dress, consent to prior sexual activity, consent to sexual activity with a different person, or relationship status with the person does not constitute consent. It is the responsibility of the initiator of any sexual activity to ensure that he or she has the other person’s consent before engaging in sexual activity.
A person cannot consent to sexual activity if that person is unable to understand the nature of the activity or give knowing consent. Sexual contact with anyone who is under the legal age of consent, is asleep or unconscious, or who the person knows or reasonably should know is incapacitated due to consumption of alcohol, drugs, medication, or a mental or physical impairment is a violation of this Policy. People who are unconscious or physically unable to communicate are incapable of giving consent for purposes of this Policy. Therefore, a Respondent’s belief that the Complainant consented to the sexual activity due to the Respondent’s intoxication or recklessness is not a defense.
Information and awareness are key to the prevention of sexual assault. By familiarizing yourself with this information, you will be contributing to a safe and healthy environment on Wheaton's campus.
Prevention Tips
Safety
- Be clear and assertive. Communicate your expectations and desires clearly and assertively.
- Inform your friends. Use your friends as accountability as you begin and continue to date.
- Trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable, leave.
- Pay attention to what you hear. A person may have a bad reputation for a reason.
- Be aware of your surroundings, and take precautions. For example, if you’d like to jog at night, go with friends or take advantage of Public Safety’s shuttle service.
- Educate yourself. Learn about gender inequality and sexual violence and work to be proactive to speak against it.
- Don’t objectify people. Refuse to view/purchase any apps, social media, images, magazines, videos, or music that portray women or men in a degrading or violent manner.
- Make sure your cell phone is with you and charged.
Alcohol and Parties
- Avoid alcohol and/or partying. The College does not permit undergraduate students to drink alcohol and expects graduate students to abstain or drink alcohol in moderation.
- Avoid being alone. Arrive together, check in with each other throughout the evening, and leave together. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way out of a bad situation.
- Step in and help. If you see someone in trouble step in and offer assistance. NOTE: Before stepping in, make sure to evaluate the risk. If it means putting yourself in danger, call Public Safety (630.752.5911) instead.
- Do not drive with someone who has been drinking. Make sure you always have a safe ride home or a plan to walk home with a friend or roommate.
- If you happen to be in a setting where people are drinking, do not accept a beverage that you did not get yourself or leave a drink unattended. Date-rape drugs can leave you unable to protect yourself, or even know what is happening to you.
Misconceptions About Sexual Assault
Myth: Sexual assault only happens at public schools and not at Christian schools.
Fact: Though not at the level of public schools, Christian schools do have incidents of sexual assault every year.
Myth: The victim must have “asked for it” by being seductive, careless, drunk, high, etc.
Fact: No one asks to be abused, injured, or humiliated. This line of thought blames the victim for what happened instead of the perpetrator who chose to commit the crime.
Myth: Most sexual assaults are strangers to their victims.
Fact: Most sexual assault/rapes are committed by someone the victim knows: a classmate, friend, acquaintance, co-worker, spouse.
Myth: When people say no, they really mean yes.
Fact: No means No! Silence does not equal consent. Only Yes means Yes. Respecting one another is of utmost importance.
Myth: “Good” people don't get assaulted/raped. Only “bad” ones do.
Fact: Rape is an attack in which the victim's life is controlled by the attacker. No person asks for or deserves such an assault.
Myth: Any person could prevent rape if he or she really wanted to; no person can be assaulted/raped against his or her will.
Fact: The first concern of a victim is to survive, to live through the attack. The victim cannot know what the perpetrator is capable of doing. We should not criticize victims for doing what they feel is necessary to save their life.
Myth: Rape is caused by the perpetrator’s uncontrollable sexual urge.
Fact: Very few perpetrators are of unsound mind and/or out of touch with reality. Rapes may be planned or carried out by acquaintances, intimate partners, family members or strangers.
Myth: If the victim did not physically struggle with or fight the assailant, it wasn’t really rape.
Fact: Perpetrators are not looking for a fight and they use many forms of coercion, threats, and manipulation to rape. Alcohol and other drugs are often used to coerce their victims.
Myth: Only young, beautiful women in provocative clothing get assaulted/raped. It can't happen to me.
Fact: Victims are not limited to dressing in a particular way and are every age, gender, shape, race and social class.
Adapted from http://sapac.umich.edu/article/52