Sexual Violence: Sexual Violence is a term that is used to include a continuum of acts of power and control which violate an individual's safety and rights. Sexual Violence includes, rape, incest, child sexual assault, ritual abuse, date and acquaintance rape, statutory rape, marital or partner rape, sexual exploitation, unwanted sexual contact, sexual harassment, exposure, and voyeurism.

Acquaintance rape:
One of the most common forms of sexual violence on a college campus is acquaintance rape, or date rape. According to the PennBook policy, "acquaintance rape/sexual violence is defined as any act in which a member of the university community forces another with whom he or she is acquainted to engage in sexual activity against her or his will or without her or his consent. Assent shall not constitute consent if it is given by a person who because of youth, mental disability or intoxication is unable to make a reasonable judgment concerning the nature of or harmfulness of the activity." (http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/osl/acqrape.html)

Drug facilitated assault:
Some incidents of sexual violence involve the use of what is commonly known as "date rape drugs". Some signs that you may have been drugged include:

• You may feel more intoxicated than you normally do after social drinking/partying
• You may wake up the next day with lapses in memory, feeling "fuzzy"
• You may feel as if you had sex or have physical indications of having sex, but you do not remember the incident

*This information is provided by Women Organized Against Rape. For more information about sexual violence and common rape drugs visit Women Organized Against Rape at: www.woar.org

What to do:
If you or a friend has experienced any form of sexual violence we encourage you to seek help and support. The Department of Special Services at Penn can provide victims with options counseling, explain the reporting process, and assist you in seeking medical treatment. Contacting Special Services does not mean you have to proceed with prosecution; and, the statute of limitations for reporting and prosecuting certain forms of sexual assault can be as long as 12 years. Additional resources are available in the resources section.

Seeking Medical Treatment:

• It is recommended that a sexual assault victim receive medical treatment within 24 hours after the assault. Rape examinations are performed at Episcopal and Thomas Jefferson Hospitals, and are provided free of charge.
• It is recommended a sexual assault victim not shower, change clothes, eat, or smoke. However, a rape examination can still be performed if the above conditions are not met, and treatment can still be received for injuries, STI's, or pregnancy. Additionally, forensic evidence may still be collected.
• Transportation to the hospital can be provided by Penn Special Services