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SEXUAL MISCONDUCT HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES

It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure our community is free from sexual misconduct. The following strategies are provided to assist you in having healthy and safe sexual encounters and to avoid potentially unsafe and dangerous situations.

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How to Avoid Committing Sexual Misconduct

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If you find yourself in the position of being the initiator of sexual behavior, you owe sexual respect to your potential partner and yourself.  These suggestions may help you avoid committing and/or being accused of sexual misconduct:

 

  • Clearly communicate your intentions to the other person and give them a chance to clearly communicate their intentions to you.

  • Listen carefully. Take time to hear what the other person has to say. If you feel you are receiving unclear or conflicting messages from the other person, you should stop, defuse any sexual tension, and communicate better.

  • Do not assume that you have consent to sexual activity just because someone leaves or goes to a private location with you.

  • Understand and respect personal boundaries.  Do not pressure a potential partner. Do not fall for the cliché: If they say “no”, they really mean “yes.”  If the other person says “no” to sexual activity, believe them and stop.

  • Don’t make assumptions about consent; about someone’s sexual availability; about whether they are attracted to you; about how far you can go; or about whether they are physically and/or mentally able to consent. If there are any questions or ambiguity then you DO NOT have consent and you should stop and communicate.

  • Don’t take advantage of someone’s drunken, drugged, or otherwise incapacitated state.

  • Realize that your potential partner could be intimidated by you, or fearful. You may have a power advantage simply because of your gender, status, or size. Don’t abuse that power.

  • Understand that consent to one form of sexual activity does not constitute consent for any other sexual activity.

  • Silence and passivity cannot be interpreted as an indication of consent. Read the other person carefully, paying attention to verbal and non‐verbal communication and body language. If it is not clear by the other person’s words and/or actions that they are a willing participant in that specific activity then you need to stop.

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Harm Reduction Strategies

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It is never your fault if someone takes sexual advantage of you. Below are a few harm reduction strategies. These strategies are provided with no intention to victim‐blame and with recognition that only those who commit sexual violence are responsible for such conduct. 

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  • Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe about a person or situation, trust your gut and remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible.

  • Be aware of your alcohol intake and/or other drug use. Be aware that alcohol and/or drug use can make you vulnerable to someone who views a drunk or high person as a sexual opportunity.

  • Don’t leave your drink unattended and don’t accept drinks from someone you don’t know or trust. If you’ve left your drink alone, just get a new one.

  • If you do not want to engage in a particular activity, tell the other person “NO” clearly and firmly.

  • Watch out for your friends and ask that they do so for you. A real friend will step in and challenge you if they see you are in a potentially dangerous situation. Respect them when they do. If a friend seems out of it, is too intoxicated, or is acting out of character, get your friend to a safe place immediately.

  • Don’t go somewhere with someone you don’t know well. If you do leave a party with a new friend, tell the friends you came with where you are going and when you are coming back.

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