Self Defense
This page will provide you with information that help reduce the chance of being victimized. Using risk reduction techniques provides a good basis to protect yourself; but these are not foolproof. Being aware of your surroundings and your actions are important steps to avoid dangerous situations. SIU encourages everyone to use the Buddy System and always travel in groups of two or more people. Use the brightway path, night safety transit, or other transportation after dark. Remember to always keep your cell phone charged and program the police departments phone number in your phone - (618) 453-3771.
Did you give CONSENT?
Consent is a clear, affirmative, unambiguous and freely given agreement to engage in a specific sexual activity. Consent is demonstrated verbally or through actions that clearly indicate a willingness to engage in the specific sexual activity. Consent for a specific activity does not imply consent for any other activity. Use of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants does not diminish one's responsibility to obtain consent.
Consent must be knowing and voluntary. To give consent, a person must be awake, of legal age, and have the capacity to reasonably understand the nature of his/her actions. Consent cannot be given by an individual who is mentally or physically incapacitated through the effect of drugs, alcohol or other intoxicants or for any other reason. Consent cannot be given when it is coerced, forced, or obtained by use of duress, fear, threats, or violence. Consent is not implied by the existence of prior or current relationship or participation in prior sexual activity. Consent to engage in sexual activity may be withdrawn at any time and is automatically withdrawn by a person who is no longer capable of giving consent.
About
Sexual Assault: sexual intercourse, abuse, fondling, or touching a person without his or her consent, through force, threat, and/or intimidation, or when the person is unable to consent.
Domestic Violence: A felony of misdemeanor crime of violence committed by—
- A current or former spouse of intimate partner of the victim;
- A person with whom the victim shares (or allegedly shares) a child in common;
- A person who is cohabitating with or had cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner
- A person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred; or
- Any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred.
- Illinois domestic violence laws include:
- Family members related by blood.
- People who share or used to share a home, apartment, or other common dwelling.
- People who have a blood relationship through a child in common.
- People who are dating, engaged, or used to date, including same sex couples.
- People with disabilities and their personal assistants.
Stalking: Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to—
- Fear for the person’s safety or the safety or others
- Suffer substantial emotional distress.
- For the purposes of this definition—
- Course of conduct means two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by an action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about, a person, or interferes with a person’s property.
- Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish that may but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.
- Reasonable person means a reasonable person under similar circumstances and with similar identities to the victim.
RESIDENCE HALLS
Doors and Locks: Keep your doors locked (including bathroom doors in suite style accommodations), as well as when you are out – even if you are going out for just a few minutes.
Roommates: Get to know your roommate(s); this includes first and last name, phone numbers, likes, dislikes, friends, immediate family.
Guest: Get to know the guests that are in your room. Do not allow anyone into the building as a guest that you do not know.
Keys: Do not loan your keys to anyone. If your keys are lost, report the lost keys immediately to your Resident Assistant, Hall Director.
IN YOUR VEHICLE
Visual Scan: Check your vehicle and the area around it every time before getting in. Also check the back seat and the floor area.
Inside: Once inside the car, lock the doors. Turn your car on and leave. Keep your valuables out of sight.
Parking: Try to park in a well-lit area whenever possible. Remember where your car is parked so you can get there without delay. When walking to your car, do not walk too close to other parked vehicles.
DATING
Names: Always get the name of the person you are dating. Nicknames do not work and do not identify a person.
Phone Numbers: If you meet someone while you are out and would like to see them again, get their phone number – this puts you in control.
Driving: Consider meeting a date at a public location. You will also have access to your own transportation so you can leave if you start to feel uncomfortable. Consider going out with a group of friends the first time. Always make sure a friend knows where you are going and who you are with.
Saying Goodnight: Say goodnight at your car or another place, not at your door. There is no pressure to invite them in.