What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Falling under the definition of sexual assault are sexual activities such as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape.
-United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women
Under Washington State law, sexual assault is defined in many different ways. For more information concerning how sexual assault is defined, please click here.
Sexual Assault Myths & Facts – The Sexual Assault Myths & Facts sheet debunks fifteen common myths about sexual assault.
How to Help a Friend – How to Help a Friend offers advice on what to do if someone discloses a sexual assault experience to you.
PLU Policy and Sexual Assault
From the Pacific Lutheran University Student Rights and Responsibilities:
“Sexual Misconduct is a broad term encompassing any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that is committed without Consent (as PLU defines it in this policy) and/or by force, intimidation, coercion or manipulation. As defined by PLU, the term Sexual Misconduct includes Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse, Non-Consensual Sexual Contact, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Exploitation, and Sexual Intimidation. Sexual Misconduct can be committed by a person upon another regardless of gender, and it can occur between people of the same or different sex. It can occur between strangers or acquaintances, including people involved in a current or previous intimate or sexual relationship. Sexual Misconduct may vary in its severity and consists of a range of behavior.”
For more information, you can read the PLU Sexual Misconduct Policy.
From the PLU Sexual Misconduct Policy:
“Consent is permission explicitly granted by an individual who is physically and mentally capable of providing it. It is the responsibility of the person who wants to engage in Sexual Activity to insure that they have the valid Consent of the other to engage in the activity. PLU further defines Consent to include the following:
- Consent is informed, knowing and voluntary. Consent is active, not passive. Silence, in and of itself, cannot be interpreted as Consent. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create clear and mutually understandable permission regarding the conditions of sexual activity.
- Consent to one form of Sexual Activity cannot imply Consent to other forms of Sexual Activity, even within the same intimate situation. Previous relationships or Consent cannot imply Consent to future Sexual Activity.
- Consent cannot be procured by use of force, threats, intimidating behavior, or coercion.
- Some individuals are unable to give Consent by reason of Incapacity or Physical Helplessness. It is a violation of this policy to engage in Sexual Activity with someone you know to be, or should have known to be, Incapacitated or Physically Helpless.”
The CGE’s Advocacy Services* is a confidential resource that provides support for victims of sexual assault, including obtaining a Protection Order, learning how to increase their safety, and connecting with additional forms of support.
Other Campus Resources:
Health Center * 253-535-7337
Counseling Center * 253-535-7206
Campus Safety 253-535-7441
Campus Ministry * 253-535-7464
Residential Life 253-535-7200
Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities 253-535-7195
* Confidential resource
Confidential Victim's Advocate at PLU
Magdalena Stickel, PLU’s Confidential Victim’s Advocate is a trained professional who can help explain your options, connect you to other resources, and assist you in making a formal report should you decide to do so.
253-535-8204
magdalena.stickel@plu.edu
Resources
Community Resources
Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County*
253-474-7273
sexualassaultcenter.com
Pierce County Domestic Violence Hotline*
253-798-4166
aplaceofhelp.com
YWCA Pierce County*
253-383-2593
ywcapiercecounty.org
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Resources by County
wscadv.org/washington-domestic-violence-programs
*24 Hour Resource
National Resources
RAINN*
800-656-4673
rainn.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline*
800-799-7233
thehotline.org
The Deaf Hotline*
855-812-1001 (Video Phone)
thedeafhotline.org
Victim Connect
855-484-2846
victimconnect.org
* 24 Hour Resource
Identity-Based Resources
API Chaya
877-922-4292 / 206-325-0325
apichaya.org/
Ujima (Black Community)
1-844-778-5462
ujimacommunity.org
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
206-816-3893 (Tacoma Office)
nwirp.org
Consejo Counseling and Referral Service (Latin@)
253-414-7461 (Tacoma Office)
consejocounseling.org
The Northwest Network (LGBTQ+)
206-568-7777
nwnetwork.org
1in6 (Men)*
Chat Helpline
1in6.org
StrongHearts Native Helpline*
844-762-8483
strongheartshelpline.org
* 24 Hour Resource
Social Media