Sexual Assault at UT this Evening: Know Your Rights

Friends,

This is a must-read.  The University of Texas at Austin just sent out an email that I think is worth sharing.  Horrifically, someone was assaulted this evening.  My interest in sharing this is that it expresses clear rights and parameters for consensual sexual activity between women and men.  Read the message and be sure to share this with your daughters and sons, and with your grandchildren, too, if you have any.

"Don't feel obligated to do anything you don't want to do. 'I don't want to' is always a good enough reason." 

Disclaimer: This graphic did not accompany
the university's email notice. Source:
https://peacerivercenter.org/saam2018/

And then the trauma, the aftermath—including having to contend with the fact that someone you know was the perpetrator (read official email notice below)—is messed up, sad, and terribly stressful for the survivors, mostly women—but men and children, as well.

Let’s be more intentional in such matters.  And let’s oppose all forms of violence, especially sexual violence that disproportionately affects women.

As the graphic says, let's also believe survivors, challenge victim blaming, and respect boundaries.

Let's have this young woman and all survivors in our continuous thoughts and prayers.  We have so much healing as a society to do and we all need to play some part in that.  If you are a UT student, scroll down to read about Student Emergency Services.

And get immediate help if you have been assaulted. Your wellness is a priority.

Angela Valenzuela

INCIDENT NOTIFICATION: Sexual assault

December 16, 2018

At 10:40 p.m., UTPD responded to a report of non-stranger sexual assault involving a UT student and an acquaintance at Jester West Dormitory.

The student reported the incident occurred at 5 p.m.

The UTPD Criminal Investigations Unit is actively investigating this incident.

The most common type of sexual assault is perpetrated by someone the victim knows, not by a stranger. Consent is enthusiastic agreement required by all and can be revoked at any time. Sexual activity requires consciousness and clarity.

Don't feel obligated to do anything you don't want to do. "I don't want to" is always a good enough reason.

Student Emergency Services supports students who have been or know someone who has been a victim of a crime on or off campus. For those services click on the link below:

http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/victimservices.php

This notification is provided in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (20 USC, 1092(f)). The Clery Act is a federal statute requiring colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs to maintain and disclose campus crime statistics and security information.