Any sexual violence against a person, whether by a stranger or by an acquaintance, whether against a woman or a man, is a violation of the law. Consent cannot be given if the person is asleep, intoxicated, unconscious, mentally disordered, under threat of force, or for any other reason unable to communicate willingness to participate in sexual activity. Intercourse under any of these circumstances is rape.
Any sexual assault or physical abuse, including, but not limited to rape as defined by California law, whether committed by an employee, student or member of the public, that occurs on district property, is a violation of district policies and procedures, and is subject to all applicable punishment, including criminal procedures and employee or student discipline procedures. Students, faculty, and staff who may be victims of sexual and other assaults shall be treated with dignity and provided comprehensive assistance.
Any person who has been the victim of sexual violence is strongly urged to report the incident as soon as possible to at least one of the following: Campus Security, Student Health Center, Counseling, Vice President of Student Services, or Dean of Student Affairs as well as the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department. Any person with information regarding sexual violence on campus should contact Campus Security, the Vice President of Student Services, Student Health Center or the Dean of Student Affairs as soon as possible.
Facts About Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is a crime of violence. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of all sexual assaults involve the use of weapons, or the threat of violence or death. Rapists often look for potential victims who appear weak or vulnerable; however, anyone can be a victim of a sexual assault, regardless of behavior or appearance. Rape can happen to any person, anywhere or anytime. In a significant number of cases, the rapist is known to the victim.
Rape is not just an act committed in a dark alley by an assailant the victim has never met. Most rapes occur in the victim’s home and about 60% of the victims who report their rape know their assailants. You can be aware without being afraid.
Some people believe that rapists are overcome with sexual desire or that women “ask for it” by the way they dress or act. Some people even believe that women want to be raped. These ideas assume that rape is motivated by sexual desire. IT IS NOT! Rape is a crime of violence – a hostile act – and it is motivated by the assailant’s need to hurt and humiliate the victim. It is about power. In California, any form of sexual conduct carried out upon a person, against that person’s will, is a crime. Any sexual penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete the crime of rape. P.C. 261 & 263
Ways to Avoid Rape
- Always walk briskly. Look alert and confident. Avoid carrying objects requiring the use of both arms.
- Stay away from isolated areas, day or night.
- Never walk alone when it is dark.
- If you are being followed, get away fast, change directions, and walk/run to a crowded area.
- Keep all doors to your car and residence locked at all times.
- Before you drive home, call your family, a friend, or a roommate so they will expect you and be aware if you are excessively late.
- Encourage group activities in the early stages of a relationship.
- Take a self-defense course.
What to Do in a Risky Situation
- Stay calm and think out what your options are and how safe it would be to resist.
- Say “NO” strongly. Do not smile. Do not act polite or friendly.
- Say something like “STOP IT! THIS IS RAPE!”
- If the attacker is unarmed, fight back physically. Attack the most vulnerable parts of the body. Shout FIRE and escape as soon as possible.
- If the attacker is armed, try to talk him out of continuing the assault or try passive resistance such as pretending to faint, vomit, or urinate.
What to Do in Case of an Assault
Get to a safe place as fast as possible.
Get help. Call Campus Security from a blue emergency telephone tower or dial (562) 908-3490 or call 911 (or 9-9-1-1 from any campus phone) or alert any college employee that is nearby.
If you have been raped, you should call the police as soon as possible; do not shower, bathe, wash your hands or face, douche, brush your hair or teeth or change your clothes. Semen, hair and material under fingernails or on your clothing all may be useful in identifying and prosecuting the rapist.
It is advisable to report a rape, even an unsuccessful attempt. The information you provide may prevent another woman from being raped. When you report a rape, any information you can remember about the attack will be helpful – the assaulter’s physical characteristics, voice, clothes, car or even an unusual smell.
Contact the Dean of Student Affairs Office (SS-204) ext. 3498 or the Student Health Center (SS-230) ext. 3438.
If you do not wish to call the police, ask a friend or family member to take you to a hospital or health center for help.
It may be very helpful to contact a rape crisis center, where qualified staff members may assist you in dealing with your trauma. If you are unable to make the contact yourself, have a friend, family member or police make the call.
Finally, it is important to remember that many women will mistakenly blame themselves for the rape. However, being raped is not a crime – the crime has been committed by the person who raped you.
If you witness or are informed about a sexual assault or sexual violence action taking place on the college campus, you are encouraged to report the crime to any college employee, such as a counselor, professor, Campus Security at ext. 3490 or Student Affairs Office at ext. 3498. If it is somebody that you know, you can help them by encouraging them to report the incident.
Reporting an Assault
If you are a victim of an assault, you are encouraged to report the incident; your safety is the College’s primary concern.
If the assault happened on or near campus, find a blue emergency telephone tower on campus, push the button and you will be connected with Campus Security or call Campus Security at (562) 908-3490 or call 911.
If the assault happened in the past, a police report may be filed by contacting the police department of the city where the assault occurred.
Los Angeles County Sheriffs, Pico Rivera Station, may be contacted at (562) 949-2421. This department has responsibility for the investigation of sexual assaults occurring at or near the college.
Community Resources
- East Los Angeles Rape Hotline (bilingual) (800) 585-6231
- Pasadena Rape Crisis Center (626) 793-3385
- Project Sister Sexual Assault Crisis Center (909) 623-1619
- Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center (310) 319-4000
Hospitals
- Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (562) 698-0811
- Whittier Hospital (562) 945-3561
- Greater El Monte Hospital (626) 579-7777
- Beverly Hospital (323) 726-1222
- Queen of the Valley, West Covina (626) 962-4011
Victim’s Assistance
Some financial assistance may be available to victims through the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Under California law, some victims of crime may receive financial assistance for unreimbursed medical and income losses as a result of the crime. For information on this program call: Los Angeles County Victim/Witness Assistance Program (562) 807-7212
