Sexual Assault

The College does not tolerate incidents of sexual assault. Should they occur, the College will immediately deal with the incident to the fullest extent of the law and policy of the College.

The majority of sexual assaults that occur in the campus environment are committed by people known to their victims. Acquaintance sexual assaults are more common than "stranger rape." Often, acquaintance sexual assaults are not reported to the police, because victims do not think that unwanted sexual intercourse or contact by a person known to them is sexual assault.

Often assailants target victims who have been using drugs or alcohol because of their increased vulnerability. It is impossible for anyone to predict that a sexual assault will occur.

  • Avoid people who don't allow you to make  your own decisions, those who give you the feeling that you "owe them" something.
  • Be very explicit with dates about how intimate you expect the relationship to be.
  • Do not assume that a person will know that you are comfortable with "going so far" and no further.
  • Sex offender information is available at the Colorado Convicted Sex Offender website.

Facts about Rohypnol

Rohypnol is a tranquilizer that has been called the "date rape drug" because of its use in sexual assaults. In its most common form Rohypnol is distributed as a small, round, white "aspirin-like" tablet. The drug is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Street names include "roofies", "roopies" "circles", "ruffles", "roches", and "the forget pills". Rohypnol produces profound, prolonged sedation, a feeling of well being, and short-term memory loss. The effects are felt between 15 minutes and an hour following ingestion and can last from 4-24 hours.

Protect Yourself:

  • Don't drink beverages that you did not open yourself.
  • Don't exchange or share drinks with anyone.
  • Don't drink from a container that is being passed around.
  • If someone offers you a drink at a bar or club, accompany the person to the bar, watch the drink being poured, and carry the drink yourself.
  • Don't leave your drink unattended while using the restroom or making a phone call - if you realize you have, throw the drink away.
  • Don't mix drugs and alcohol.

Get to a safe place and call the police if:

  • You experience dizziness, extreme drowsiness or sudden and unexplained symptoms.
  • You wake up very "hung over" and experience memory lapse.
  • You feel like someone had sex with you, but you can't remember it taking place.

If you've been sexually assaulted, it's never too late to get help:

  • Go to a safe place.
  • Call someone.
  • Do not bathe, wash hands or clean fingernails; it is important that victims preserve evidence that may be necessary to prove criminal sexual assault.
  • Do not remove clothing worn during or following the assault as these frequently contain valuable fiber, hair and fluid evidence.
  • Do not apply or take any medication.
  • Get medical attention as soon as possible.
  • When you get to the hospital, tell the triage staff you have been sexually assaulted.

If the assault happened some time ago:

  • Seek counseling.
  • Seek medical attention for treatment of injuries or symptoms related to the assault.
  • Consider reporting the incident to the police.
  • Pursue the campus judicial process.
  • Pursue academic or administrative assistance.
  • Access other community support resources.

Reporting an incident of sexual assault is a difficult yet important decision. Making a report may help with recovery, provide support resources and prevent the offender from assaulting someone else. If you believe you are a victim of a sexual assault which occurred on campus or at a college-sponsored activity, call the Campus Police Department at 303.797.5800 or the Littleton Police Department at 303.794.1551 or 911.

Need more information?

Sgt. Gary Schock
Phone: 303.797.5910
Email: gary.schock@arapahoe.edu