

Sexual Assault

What is Sexual Assault


[Definitions] [Understanding Consent]
[Alcohol and Other Drugs in Sexual Assault]
[Self-Assesment: Have I been Sexually Assaulted?]


Sexual Assault: Sexual Assault is an umbrella term that includes physical acts of a sexual nature that take place without a person's consent.  Sexual assault includes touching, penetration by an object, and sexual intercourse.


Rape: A specific form of sexual assault that includes an act of sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, or oral penetration), accomplished against a person who does not consent to the sexual contact, or is incapable of consenting.  This includes situations in which a victim is...


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Understanding consent

Consent is positive cooperation involving an act of free will, absent of coercion, intimidation, force, or the threat of force.  A person cannot give effective consent if he/she is unable to appreciate the nature of the sexual act - as with a person who has a disability that would impair understanding of the act or if a person is impaired by the influence of drugs or alcohol.


There must always be active consent on both sides. Consent to one thing does not imply another. If limits are made clear and consent is not given, pressuring someone into changing their mind is not consent. → If you are unwilling to accept a "no", then "yes" has no meaning.



Click here to view and hear what consent means directly from UCI students and what it  means when  there is no consent.



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Alcohol and other drugs in Sexual Assault

Alcohol and other drugs are involved in the majority of sexual assault among college students.  However, even if you were drinking or using other drugs, you did not deserve to be raped.  You are not to blame for what happened.  No one has the right to sexually violate you at any time.  Rape is a felony level crime, regardless of whether or not you were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.  You still have the option to report the sexual assault to the police.


Information adapted from: "Coping with Sexual Assault: A Guide to Healing, Resolution, and Recovery." (TS Nelson Publications, www.tsnelson.com


shot glass glasses


Alcohol is the most commonly used chemical in drug facilitated sexual assault. In large part this is due to the fact that alcohol is easily accessible and a chemical that many people use in social interactions.


Effects on the Victim:


Effects on the Perpetrator:


"Date-Rape drugs"


Sexual offenders use many different drugs to impair their victims in order to rape them.  These drugs are often put into alcohol, soft drinks, water, or other drinks.  Drugs like Benadryl are put in food (such as brownies) to cover up the taste However, many of these drugs are tasteless and odorless.  You may not know you have been drugged until you feel very drowsy or overly intoxicated.  This can happen within minutes after ingesting the drug.  You may blackout or pass out.  You may not remember anything that happened while you were under the influence of these drugs.


Two commonly used drugs:


Rohypnol is a strong tranquilizer, often referred to as "roofies," that is not legal for use in the United States. 


What is it?: A small white tablet that looks a lot like aspirin. It quickly dissolves in liquid and can take effect within 30 minutes of being ingested.   The effects peak within 2 hours and may have lingering effects for 8 hours or more.







What is it?: Pure GHB is commonly sold as a clear, odorless liquid or white crystalline powder. Because it is made in home labs the effects often unpredictable. Once ingested, GHB takes effect in approximately 15 minutes and can last 3-4 hours.






If you suspect you were given a drug in your drink or food, you can find out by having a lab test at a local hospital.  The sooner you are tested the better.  You can also request information from UCI Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE), UCI Police Department, or a local rape crisis center as well as information about counseling and advocacy resources.


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Coping with Sexual Assault Downloadable Brochure in .pdf