Risk Reduction for Intimate Partner Violence, Stalking, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual
Violence:
While victim-blaming is never appropriate and the District fully recognizes that only
those who commit sexual misconduct are responsible for their actions, the District
provides the suggestions that follow to help individuals reduce their risk of being
victimized and their risk of committing acts of sexual misconduct.
Reducing the Risk of Victimization
Make any limits/boundaries you may have known as early as possible.
Clearly and firmly articulate consent or lack of consent.
Remove yourself, if possible, from an aggressor's physical presence.
Reach out for help, either from someone who is physically nearby or by calling someone.
People around you may be waiting for a signal that you need help.
Take affirmative responsibility for your alcohol and/or drug consumption. Alcohol
and drugs can increase your vulnerability to sexual victimization.
Look out for your friends, and ask them to look out for you. Respect them, and ask
them to respect you, but be willing to challenge each other about high-risk choices.
Reducing the Risk of Being Accused of Sexual Misconduct
Show your potential partner respect if you are in a position of initiating sexual
behavior.
If a potential partner says "no," accept it and don't push. If you want a "yes," ask
for it, and don't proceed without clear permission.
Clearly communicate your intentions to your potential sexual partners, and give them
a chance to share their intentions and/or boundaries with you.
Respect personal boundaries. If you are unsure what's OK in any interaction, ask.
Avoid ambiguity. Don't make assumptions about consent, about whether someone is attracted
to you, how far you can go with that person, or if the individual is physically and
mentally able to consent. If you have questions or are unclear, you don't have consent.
Don't take advantage of the fact that someone may be under the influence of drugs
or alcohol, even if that person chose to become that way. Others' loss of control
does not put you in control.
Be on the lookout for mixed messages. That should be a clear indication to stop and
talk about what your potential partner wants or doesn't want to happen. That person
may be undecided about how far to go with you, or you may have misread a previous
signal.
Respect the timeline for sexual behaviors with which others are comfortable, and understand
that they are entitled to change their minds.
Recognize that even if you don't think you are intimidating in any way, your potential
partner may be intimidated by or fearful of you, perhaps because of your sex, physical
size, or a position of power or authority you may hold.
Do not assume that someone's silence or passivity is an indication of consent. Pay
attention to verbal and non-verbal signals to avoid misreading intentions.
Understand that consent to one type of sexual behavior does not automatically grant
consent to other types of sexual behaviors. If you are unsure, stop and ask.
Understand that exerting power and control over another through sex is unacceptable
conduct.
