| Show Rape vs Romance I The Human Side SideBy By Diane Cashel i i Director k- k Drug Alcohol Education Sexual assault in any form violates violates vio vio- violates lates the spirit as much as the body Unfortunately the term date rape or acquaintance rape is becoming becoming becoming becom becom- ing too familiar these days and has become a national concern on college college college col col- lege campuses More than rape cases were reported nationwide in 1990 About half of these were classified as date rape Nationally one in seven college women has been raped 84 of their assailants were acquaintances or people they had been dating This same study showed one out of four college males admitted having used sexual aggression with women These high numbers in men are due to the lack of women reporting rape incidences Reporting the crimes is important so that the same person wont won't get away with it again agam Date rape is defined as the act of forcing sex while on a date Rape is legally defined as carnal knowledge of a person by force and against that persons person's will Two elements are necessary to constitute tu te rape 1 sexual intercourse and 2 commission commission commission commis commis- sion of the act forcibly and without consent The key word in the definition definition defini defini- definition tion is force since it is the legal line that separates rape from romance The figures are alarming But they only hint at the deeper issues involved and the pain a woman can cango cango cango go through when someone she knows sexually assaults her The problem is most visible on college campuses but not limited to them It is primarily a problem involving a young women between between between be be- tween ages fifteen and twenty- twenty four Most date rapes are not the mis-communication mis type at all Usually from the very beginning and knows that the woman will object He goes to great lengths to cover all the bases Date rapes usually take place in the late night hours on weekends and an estimated 80 happen in the theman's mans man's home It doesn't have to be that way if 1 we all take a few precautions Be sure to choose your dates carefully Control the environment by choosing choosing choosing choos choos- ing the dating activities vi ties and the place Avoid places where there will be alcohol and drugs Let your date know your intentions and limitations from the beginning and I always carry enough money for a 1 rescue phone call or transportation The Drug Alcohol i Education Program would like to Il reinforce the idea that by increasing increasing Ii ing peoples people's sensitivity to the causes and prevention of date rape we may be able to help it not happen happen happen hap- hap pen at all If you have any questions questions ques- ques please feel free to call us at |
