FAQ

If I talk to someone about my experience, is this conversation confidential?

 If you disclose a sexual assault to a Mount Holyoke staff member they must maintain confidentiality about the information to ensure your privacy and that of any witnesses.  Departments may not release your name without your explicit permission.  You may allow Public Safety officers and other staff members to release your name to specific campus administrators or other agreed-upon resources so we can assist you in obtaining medical treatment, counseling, alternative housing, assistance with classes and other necessary services.  There are certain circumstances under which confidentiality cannot be maintained.  These will be explained t o you.

Who can I talk to about my experience who will not tell anyone or do anything at all?

At Mount Holyoke, staff of the Counseling Service and staff of Religious and Spiritual Life are not required to report anything about you or your experience to anyone at all.

What is considered sexual contact? How can I know how someone else is experiencing touch or physical intimacy?

People have different understandings of what they consider intimate and “friendly” versus what they consider intimate and sexual. These understandings can vary on the basis of religious and cultural values, social and family norms, and personal values and experiences.

The best way to find out how someone experiences touch and physical intimacy is to ask and discuss it before something happens and obtain consent for physical touch or intimacy before it takes place.

Many situations are ambiguous and risky if not clarified in advance. Consider the possibility of sleeping in the same bed as another student because “It’s too late to walk across campus to my own dorm.” Does this imply that you have given consent to be touched in a sexual way? Who is responsible for clarifying the situation—and when?

It can be awkward and even embarrassing to talk about the situation and establish boundaries in advance—but it can be devastating for everyone involved if an awkward situation turns into sexual misconduct or a sexual assault that could have been avoided through a frank discussion about expectations and consent in advance.

How should consent be obtained? Can body language be understood as consent?

Ideally, consent is given verbally. However, consent can also be expressed (given or withdrawn) through body language. For example, active reciprocation could express consent, pushing someone away or moving away could express lack of consent.

Body language and even verbal responses may be ambiguous. It may also be unclear who is responsible for getting consent and who is responsible for giving consent at any particular moment. If consent is unclear, there is a risk of committing a sexual offense. Consequently, when in doubt, each participant in the activity should stop and ASK.

What are some of the indicators that I am at risk for committing sexual assault or sexual misconduct?

• You are touching another person in a sexual manner without their consent.
• You are initiating sexual contact when you are not sure what the other person wants.
• You are initiating sexual contact when the other person is drunk or otherwise intoxicated.
• You decided to have sex by any means necessary.
• You are hoping that they won't say anything but will just be quiet and like it.
• You are acting on an impulse or dare.
• You are getting mixed messages/signals.
• You have not spoken with the person about what they want to do.
• Ask rather than assume. You and your partner should talk about what would be most enjoyable together.

If I am accused of committing a sexual assault, how serious is it?

Being convicted of a sexual assault is a felony in Massachusetts [add more]

How can alcohol and drugs impact consent and decision making?

The use of alcohol and other drugs impairs judgment and undermines the ability to make good decisions, including decisions about sexual activity.

Role of Alcohol and Other Drugs

If I hear about a sexual assault that happened to someone else, should I report it?

Third Party Repoting

Does Mount Holyoke College collect data regarding sexual assaults?

Safe & Sound: A Guide to Learning Safely On Campus

Anonymous Reporting

If you disclose a sexual assault report to a Mount Holyoke staff member they must report it using the MHC Sexual Assault Centralized Report Form.  This form does not include your name.  It includes only a minimum amount of general information about the sexual assault for federal Clery Act purposes. It is also included in statistics used to reduce the future incidence of such crimes.