Sexual Misconduct Education and Prevention

Step Up Stags

All new students at Fairfield University participate in a three part-program called Step Up Stags, which includes:

Not Anymore
This is an online module that addresses the critical issues of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking.

Step Up Stags Lecture
During Fall Welcome, first-year students will engage in a meaningful dialogue about what it means to live in community and treat each other with respect. Within the conversation, students will understand policies pertaining to sexual misconduct and consent. 

Bystander Intervention Education

Bystanders play a critical role in the prevention of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. They are individuals who observe violence or witness the conditions that perpetuate violence. They are not directly involved, but have the choice to intervene, speak up, or do something about it. Fairfield University promotes a culture of community accountability where bystanders are actively engaged in the prevention of sexual violence and harassment without causing further harm and while minimizing risks to their own safety.  We want students to be an active bystander within our community. 

All first-year students, resident assistants, new student leaders, and many other student leaders participate in a training workshop around safe and positive options for bystander intervention. These training programs are co-sponsored with the Center for Family Justice.

Below are some ways to be an active bystander:

• Watch out for friends and colleagues. If you see someone who looks like they could be in trouble or need help, ask if they are okay. If they need help, call immediately!
• Speak up when someone uses derogatory or harassing language about others and/or discusses plans to take sexual advantage of another person.
• Confront people who seclude, hit on, try to hook up with, or have sex with people who are incapacitated. Ask for help from friends or RA's.
• Believe someone who discloses they have been a victim of sexual misconduct and help connect them to resources.

Targeting Programs led by University administrators and community partners, such as "Sex Signals," "Jane Doe No More," "Take Back the Night," and "Women’s Day."

In addition, Fairfield University trains all first responders (e.g., Department of Public Safety officers, resident assistants, and athletic coaches) on reporting options for survivors.

All programs build awareness among students.

Ongoing Prevention and Awareness Campaigns

A variety of materials have been created for the Step Up Stags program to help create awareness throughout the University community.

Risk Reduction Strategies

There is no way to reduce your risk of sexual assault to zero, and even if you do not recognize these as warning signs, sexual assault is NOT YOUR FAULT. Perpetrators are responsible for their actions; you are not.

Anyone can be a perpetrator. Statistics show that most victims are assaulted by someone they know, an acquaintance, family member, friend, dating partner or spouse. Studies have shown that there are some people who are more likely to be sexually aggressive than others.

Know the Facts 

• No one is ever to blame for being the victim of sexual misconduct. There is no mistake in judgement or "poor decision" that can make a person "deserve" to be victimized by another person.
• Victims can be female or male and can identify as heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender. Perpetrators can be female or male and can identify as heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender.
• Most victims are perpetrated against by someone they know and  most sexual assaults are planned in some way by the perpetrator. Most perpetrators establish some level of trust and rapport with a victim before the assault.
• Individuals who perpetrate sexual violence typically target a victim who they perceive has some vulnerability that they can exploit and that will make the victim less likely to report the assault.
• Sexual violence is about the perpetrator asserting power and control over the victim - NOT about sexual attraction.

Watch out for people who

• do not listen to you, ignore what you say, talk over you or pretend not to hear you. Such perpetrators generally have little respect for their victims and would be more likely to hear "no" as meaning "convince me."
• ignore your personal space boundaries, stand or walk too close, or touch you without permission.
• push you to drink beyond your tolerance level, or wait to make a sexual advance until you are extremely intoxicated. Alcohol is the #1 date rape drug.
• express anger or aggression frequently.
• use hostile or possessive language about their victims.
• do what they want regardless of what you want. A person may do this in little ways; for example, by making all the decisions about what you both will do.
• try to make you feel guilty, or accuse you of being "uptight" if you resist their sexual overtures.
• act excessively jealous or possessive.
• prevent you from seeing or talking to friends or family members. Keep you isolated and separated from your support network.
• drink heavily. A "mean drunk" can often get sexually aggressive, angry, or violent if s/he is rejected.

Be aware of the effects of drugs used to facilitate sexual assault. If you feel extremely tired, out of it or more intoxicated for the amount of alcohol you may have consumed, you may have been drugged. Find your friends and ask them to leave with you as soon as possible. If you suspect you have been drugged, go to a hospital and ask to be tested. Similarly, if you see a friend reacting in a way that is atypical for the amount of alcohol they have consumed or they are acting out of character for the situation, ask her or him to leave with you and get them to a safe place immediately.  

Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up and seek resources. If you feel unsafe in any situation, go with your gut and call DPS at 203-254-4090.

If you see something, say something. Step up and call for help if you see someone isolating another person who looks uncomfortable or who may be intoxicated, intervene!

Don't accept drinks from people you don't know or trust. If you choose to accept a drink, go with the person to the bar to order it, watch it being poured, and carry it yourself. At parties, don’t drink from the punch bowls or other large, common open containers.

Be aware of your surroundings. Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way to get out of a bad situation. Carry your cell phone and tell a friend where you are going if they are not with you. 

Be true to yourself. You are not obligated to do anything you don't want to do. "I don't want to" is always good enough.