Report an Incident

File Anonymous Report

File Formal Report

Request a Presentation

Online Form

Sexual Assault

Most Virginia Tech students are not sexually assaulted and do not perpetrate sexual assault, however, sexual assault does happen at Virginia Tech. Sexual assault can occur both on and off campus. Sexual assault often occurs in residence halls, apartments, or homes of either the victim or the perpetrator. While both women and men can be sexually assaulted, the vast majority of victims are women.

Sexual assault is…

A broad term that encompasses any forcible sexual activity that occurs without the victim's consent.
Sexual assault includes but is not limited to unwanted kissing and fondling, forcible vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse, forcible vaginal, oral or anal penetration with an object or a finger.
Not about sex, it is about another person asserting their Power and Control over you!
Not gender specific. Sexual assaults can occur between a male and female, male and male, or female and female.
Everyone's problem!
Against the law.
A violation of an individual's body. It affects everyone including the victim, their family and friends.

Common reactions of sexual violence victims

The trauma of being victimized often results in long-lasting effects. Each person reacts differently to trauma. Below are some of the feelings a victim might be experiencing:

Common myths about sexual assault

Myths are beliefs that are culturally formulated, socially transmitted, and Factually unfounded. Myths about sexual assault deny the violent, hostile, and demeaning nature of these crimes and often shift the blame from the abuser to the victim.

Myth: Sexual assault results from an uncontrollable, impulsive, sexual urge of biological origin.

Fact: Sexual assault is motivated by hostility, power, and control. Clinical studies of offenders find that sexual assaults are not motivated by a biological desire. Unlike animals, humans are capable of controlling how they choose to act on or express sexual urges.

Myth: Sexual assault happens to women who "ask for it" by dressing provocatively.

Fact: Sexual assault is not the result of the way a person dresses or acts. It is the assailant who decides to assault another person.

Myth: When a woman says "no" she means "maybe" or "yes".

Fact: When a woman says "no," she means NO. Sexual intercourse without consent is rape. A person has the right to control her/his own body.

Myth: Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers.

Fact: Most sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows.

Myth: Spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, and partners cannot sexually assault each other.

Fact: Spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, and partners can and do sexually assault each other. Being in a relationship or marriage does not give either partner the right to have sex without their partner's consent.

* This information was obtained from the Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline. For more information, call their toll free number at 1-800-838-8238.

Drug facilitated sexual assaults

Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault, also known as "Date Rape Drugs" are an increasing concern for college students. Perpetrators use drugs to subdue their victims prior to assault. These drugs are appearing at parties, clubs, bars, and college campuses across the country. The drugs are easily slipped into drinks and consumed by unsuspecting victims. While there is no fool proof way to protect yourself from being a victim of a drug facilitated sexual assault, there are some precautions you can take.

What is a drug facilitated sexual assault?
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assaults occur when a chemical agent is used to assist or procure sexual contact, rendering the victim "physically helpless", thus unable to give consent.

Most commonly used drug in sexual assaults is alcohol
Marijuana is a close second. These may be used alone or in combination with other drugs. Drugs such as rohypnol, GHB, and ecstacy receive a lot of attention in the media, but there are as many as 20 different types of drugs that can be used in a "date rape" situation.

Other drugs used to facilitated sexual assault include...

GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate)
A.K.A. liquid ecstacy, Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia Home Boy, scoop, somatomax

GHB is a central nervous system depressant that is illegal in the US, but is emerging as a popular recreational drug.
It is a homemade substance made up of various household cleaners; therefore, the potency of the drug varies.
GHB usually comes in liquid form that is colorless, odorless and tasteless. Some people do report a salty or bitter taste.
Once ingested, GHB may produce effects in as little as 15 minutes. These effects usually last 3-6 hours, but remains in your system from 4-12 hours.
Common symptoms include vomiting, intense intoxication, unarousable deep sleep, reduced muscle tone (can hear and see, but cannot move), sexual interest and dizziness.

Ketamine
A.K.A. Special K, K, vitamin K, lady K, ketaject, kit kat

Ketamine is generally used as a veterinary anesthetic and is legally produced in a number of countries, including the US.
Generally found in the form of a white powder or liquid, ketamine may be smoked, snorted, or mixed with drinks.
The effects can begin in 15 minutes of ingestion and may include aeuphoric state, muscle relaxation, loss of muscle function, memory loss, drowsiness, and numbness. These effects may last up to 90 minutes.
Ketamine is rapidly metabolized through the body and is difficult to detect after 48 hours in urine or blood tests.

Rohypnol
A.K.A. Roofies, R2, Mexican Valium, Roche, Forget Pills

Rohypnol (clinical name flunitrazepam) is a tranquilizer that is 7-10 times more potent than Valium and illegal in the US, but is available in 64 other countries as a treatment for sleep disorders.
The drug is usually found in the form of a white or blue aspirin-sized tablet that is scored down the middle. It is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, although recently manufacturers have produced pills that discolor drinks after they are dropped in.
Rohypnol usually takes effect within 20-30 minutes after ingestion and effects can last up to 8 hours.
Effects include a drunken appearance (drowsiness,light-headedness, dizziness) fatigue, memory loss, slurred speech, lack of motor coordination, amnesia, impaired judgement, and coma. The effects are intesifided when the drug is mixed with alcohol.
It is important to be tested to confirm the use of Rohypnol. Blood can be tested up to 24 hours and urine up to 96 hours following ingestion.

Tips to protect yourself and your friends

Do not accept drinks (alcoholic or nonalcoholic) from someone you do not know. A good rule of thumb is to get drinks yourself.
Do not drink from a punch bowl or any type of open container.
Always keep an eye on your drink. Don't put the drink down and leave it, even to go to the bathroom or to greet a friend on the other side of the room. If you are at a crowded bar, you can even ask for a lid for your drink.
Pay attention to the taste and color of your drink. If it tastes salty, becomes flat, or appears discolored, throw it out, as these can be signs of GHB or rohypnol.
Be suspicious of eyedroppers, mouthwash bottles, and bubble solutions as they are often used to transport GHB.
Look out for your friends. If your friend appears disproportionately drunk for the amount of alcohol they have consumed, pay special attention to their behavior and do not let them wander off.
If you leave a party without your friends, tell them where you are going and with whom.

What to do if you suspect you have been a victim of a drug facilitated sexual assault

Get to a safe place. Ask a trusted friend to stay with you and assist you in getting help.
Call the VTPD if the assault happened on campus or the Blacksburg PD is the assault occurred off campus.
Call the 24 hour hotline at the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley @ 639-1123 or call the VT Women's Center @231-7806 (8-5 PM).
Seek medical help immediately.
Describe any and all symptoms fully to your physician or nurse.
Tell the physician or nurse that you may have been drugged. It is imperative that you be tested as soon as possible for the drug's presence in your body, as most of these substances can only be detected for a short period of time after ingestion.
Try not to urinate prior to providing urine samples, as trace amounts of these drugs may remain in your system for up to 96 hours.
If possible, find cups or glasses from which you drank and submit these to the police for laboratory testing.

Some possible signs that you may have been a victim of a drug facilitated sexual assault

Download Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault Brochure (PDF)

*Material adapted from George Mason University and the Virginia Department of Health.

Virginia Tech policy regarding sexual assault

Sexual Misconduct is defined by the University Policies for Student Life at http://www.judicial.vt.edu/upsl.php#studentcode as "Sexual contact without consent". (See Section V.O. for additional information about Sexual Misconduct.)

Section V.O.—Sexual Misconduct
Virginia Tech is a community of trust whose existence depends on strict adherence to standards of conduct set by and for its members. Virginia Tech recognizes its obligation to uphold the laws and standards of the community of which it is a part. Sexual misconduct is a serious violation of these standards and will not be tolerated. Sexual assault is a crime punishable by both civil and criminal legal action and is a serious violation of university policy. The University Judicial System adjudicates, at the request of the victim, all cases involving sexual misconduct where the alleged perpetrator is a Virginia Tech student. Virginia Tech also strongly encourages victims to prosecute perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law.

Sexual misconduct is defined as sexual contact without consent and includes intentional touching, either of the victim or when the victim is forced to touch, directly or through clothing, another person's genitals, breasts, thighs, anus or buttocks; rape (sexual intercourse without consent, whether by an acquaintance or a stranger); attempted rape; sodomy (oral sex or anal intercourse) without consent; attempted forcible sodomy without consent; or sexual penetration with an object without consent. To constitute lack of consent, the acts must be committed either by force or intimidation or by taking advantage of the victim's mental incapacity or physical helplessness.

Sexual misconduct is classified in the Student Code of Conduct as a violation of the Abusive Conduct Policy. Depending on the circumstances of the case, students who are found guilty of abusive conduct may receive sanctions, including suspension for one or more semesters or dismissal from the university

Virginia State law regarding sexual assault

Code 18.2-61 Rape
If any person has sexual intercourse with a complaining witness who is not his or her spouse or causes a complaining witness, whether or not his or her spouse, to engage in sexual intercourse with any other person and such act is accomplished (i) against the complaining witness's will, by force, threat, or intimidation of or against the complaining witness or another person, or (ii) through the use of the complaining witness's mental incapacity or physical helplessness, or (iii) with a child under age thirteen as the victim, he or she shall be guilty of rape.

18.2-67.1. Forcible sodomy
An accused shall be guilty of forcible sodomy if he or she engages in cunnilingus, fellatio, anallingus, or anal intercourse with a complaining witness who is not his or her spouse, or causes a complaining witness, whether or not his or her spouse, to engage in such acts with any other person, and (i) the complaining witness is less than thirteen years of age, or (ii) the act is accomplished against the will of the complaining witness, by force, threat or intimidation of or against the complaining witness or another person, or through the use of the complaining witness's mental incapacity or physical helplessness.

§ 18.2-67.4. Sexual battery
An accused shall be guilty of sexual battery if he or she sexually abuses, as defined in § 18.2-67.10, (i) the complaining witness against the will of the complaining witness, by force, threat, intimidation or ruse, or through the use of the complaining witness's mental incapacity or physical helplessness.

Virginia Law associated with drug facilitated sexual assaults

An incapacitated person does NOT forfeit her/his rights. The state of Virginia recognizes that when someone is drunk and/or drugged, she or he is unable to give consent. This means if you have sex with a person who is passed out or otherwise incapable of giving consent, it WILL be considered sexual assault!

Code 18.2-251.2 Flunitrazepam Rescheduling
Virginia makes flunitrazepam (the active ingredient in Rohypnol) a Schedule IV drug, with Schedule I penalties for illegal possession, importation, or distribution. (1997)

Code 18.2-251.3 Scheduling of Gamma Hydroxybutyrate acid (GHB)
Virginia makes gamma hydroxybutyrate acid (GHB) a Schedule I drug, with a Class 3 felony penalty for possession and distribution (2000).

Grant statement: This project was supported by grant # 2001-WA-BX-0001 awarded by the Violence Against Women Office, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of View in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.