Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Intimate Partner Violence?
- What's with the new name?
- Where are you located?
- What is rape?
- Is sexual assault and dating/domestic violence a problem here?
- How can I get involved with the department?
- I am a faculty/staff member who's concerned for a student. What do I do?
- Do you address all forms of violence?
- Who can visit the department?
- How can I be an active bystander without getting hurt? Isn't that potentially dangerous?
- If I seek help for a sexual assault, will you tell anyone?
- Do I have to go to a sexual assault clinic or hospital?
- Is it still rape even though I didn't fight back?
- Can men be raped?
- Was it my fault because I kissed him, went back to his place, was out late, wore revealing clothes, or got drunk/used drugs?
- I think I was slipped a date rape drug. How can I be sure?
- What do I do if I am sexually assaulted?
According to the Center for Disease Control, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) involves four types of behaviors:
- Physical Abuse: the use of force in hitting, kicking, burning, etc.
- Sexual Abuse: forcing someone into a sexual act with obtaining their consent
- Threats: the use of gestures, words, weapons, or other means to communicate the intent to harm
- Emotional Abuse: harming a partner’s sense of self-worth through the use of threats to a partner or loved ones. Examples: stalking, name-calling, intimidation, isolation from friends, etc.
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MSU’s Sexual Assault Services has been transformed into the all-new Department of Relationship Violence & Outreach! Designed with you in mind, this department aims to educate the campus community on sexualized violence prevention through interactive education and programming that constantly places us within reach and on the pulse of the student body’s need. This proactive approach to prevention-based training allows us to safely equip and inform our Bulldog Nation, ultimately creating a smarter, safer campus.
We are now located in the Henry Meyer Media Center (in the Reflector Building) between the Bakery and the Florist.
Rape is the penetration of a bodily orifice (oral, anal or vaginal) with a body part (e.g. penis, finger or tongue) or an object through force or threat of force and without consent.
Sexual Assault and Dating/Domestic Violence is, unfortunately, a problem on ALL college campuses in every neighborhood in every state in this nation and world. Anyone anywhere can be a victim of sexualized and power-based personal violence.
Outreach and Sexual Assault Services appreciates the helping hands that are given to make our programs a success! If you are looking for experience volunteering in an exciting, fast-paced, and rewarding environment, contact our office at 325-2090.
You can contact the department at 662-325-2090 or stop by during regular business hours. We can provide you with helpful resources and information or talk through strategies for reaching out to the student you're concerned about.
Though our department mainly deals with sexual assault, rape, stalking, and partner violence, we will use all resources available to connect the students in need of assistance.
All students, faculty, staff from all backgrounds are welcome to stop in at any time from 8am-5pm.
This is a common misconception with those initially curious with bystander intervention. There are PLENTY of ways one can be an active bystander without facing the threat of violence. Bystander Intervention works on the principle that the threat of violence exists on a continuum that ranges from behavior that is accepted by society (such as sexist jokes) to that which is not, with the inclusion of assault and other types of violence. The act of being a bystander comes in interrupting behavior like this very early on the continuum scale. This can range from speaking up when a sexist joke is told to interrupting a potentially dangerous situation for a friend.
NO! The Department of Outreach and Sexual Assault Services adheres to the strictest rules of confidentiality. Your privacy and comfort is very important to us and we will not disclose anything without your consent.
No. The choice to pursue medical attention is completely yours, however, seeking this care is very important for your health as well as can prove helpful if you should ever chose to file a formal complaint. MSU has SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) on staff to conduct an examination.
YES! If the act was done with threat, coercion, force, or without consent, it is rape, plain and simple. You not fighting back or screaming makes no difference. If you felt that it would be safer to submit than to struggle, you made a very smart choice and it is still rape. You do not need outward signs of victimization for a rape to be perpetrated.
YES! Though statistics show that the majority of male rapes are with male perpertrators, it is possible for a man to be assaulted by a woman.
- Was it my fault because I kissed him, went back to his place, was out late, wore revealing clothes, or got drunk/used drugs?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! It does not matter what you wear, how much you drank, where you went, how long you have known the person, whether or not you have been intimate before, rape is NEVER YOUR FAULT!
Those who have reported to being drugged with GHB, Ketmaine, Rohypnol, or others remember acting and feeling drunk at a much faster rate than usual, feeling dizzy, nauseous, and may experience sweating and memory loss.
- Go to a safe place.
- Call the MSU Police (662)325-2121 or call 911. Rape is a crime and survivors have the right to report the crime. You may also call the MSU Crisis Line (662)325-3333. It is open 24 hours a day.
- Call a close friend or someone from the University Police Department, Student Health Center, Student Counseling Center, or the Dean of Students to stay with you while you talk to the police and/or hospital staff.
- Seek medicial attention immediately. Someone from the University Police Department, Student Counseling Services, or the Dean of Students Office can meet you and stay with you at the MSU Health Center (662)325-2431 from 8am-5pm or the OCH Regional Medical Center (662)324-4565. Getting a medical exam does not mean you have to press criminal charges.
- Do not bathe, shower, douce, or change clothes until you have talked to the police. If you have changed your clothes, place the ones you were previously wearing in a paper bag (plastic may destroy important evidence) and take them with you to the hospital.