This document provides 101 things that individuals can do to help prevent sexual assault. It encourages readers to educate themselves and others on the issues, believe survivors, be aware of their surroundings, know the laws and available resources, show respect, stop sexually abusive behaviors, take action through advocacy or volunteer work, and speak out against sexual violence in their communities. The overall message is that small actions by many individuals can help raise awareness and ultimately work to end sexual assault.

1. 101 Things You Can Do To
Prevent Sexual Assault
Abhishek Jaguessar

2. 101 Things You Can Do To
Prevent Sexual Assault
Starting with…
#1- Admit that it does happen in your
community
#2- Understand that sexual violence
affects us all

3. EDUCATION!
• Educate yourself on the issues
• Educate others on the issues
• Know the statistics
• Teach others how to stay safe
• Teach others that violence is not the answer
• Teach others about choices and consequences
• Visit the MCASA (Maryland Coalition Against
Sexual Assault) website at www.mcasa.org

4. BELIEVE!
• Believe survivors…
• Believe in equality…
• Believe that a safer world is possible…

5. Be…
• Alert and aware
• Courageous
• Non-judgmental
• Strong
• Aware of how violence
is portrayed in the
media
– And speak out against
the media’s portrayal of
violence!
• Safe and aware when
on the internet
• Open to change
• A member of the UMD
group SAFER (Student
Advocates for
Education About Rape)
…

6. The More You Know…
• Know that it can happen to ANYONE
• Know your laws
• Know that sexual violence is about power and control
• Know that most sex offenders aren’t strangers
• Know the resources available to the victims in your
community
• Know that men can be raped
• Know that sexual violence can be a form of domestic
violence
• Know where your politicians stand on sexual violence
• Know the rights of victims
• Know that you do have the power to make a
difference!

7. R-E-S-P-E-C-T
• Respect a person’s right to say “NO”
• Respect and embrace diversity
• Respect your partner or significant other
• Respect the choices that victims and survivors
make to survive
• Respect different lifestyles

8. STOP! START!
• Stop yourself from putting a date rape drug into someone’s drink…
• Stop others from slipping a date rape drug into someone’s drink….
• Stop your sexual advances if the other person says “NO”…
• Stop yourself from taking advantage of someone who is passed
out or incoherent…
• Stop others from taking advantage of someone who is passed out
or incoherent…
– Start your own teal ribbon campaign…
– Start an email campaign…
– Start a “Safe Date” pledge drive…

9. TAKE ACTION!
• Advocate…
– for more rape prevention education programs
– for more youth violence prevention programs
– by making a public service announcement at your school about sexual assault
• Support…
– your local rape crisis center by attending events, making donations, volunteering or sponsoring a fundraiser
– Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault
– RAINN sponsored events and concerts
• Participate…
– in Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities
– in Take Back the Night March
• Write…
– Your legislature and political leaders
– A letter to the editor of your paper
– An article for your school paper
• Ask your RA…
– For more information about sexual violence
– To create more resources about this topic (like bulletin boards!)
– To invite a speaker to your residence hall to learn more
• Wear…
– a teal ribbon throughout the month of April
– a white ribbon throughout April to support men speaking out against violence against women
– a sexual violence prevention t-shirt
– A sexual violence prevention bumper sticker on your car
Together, pledge to never commit or condone acts of sexual violence against women!

10. Do The Right Thing!
• Avoid blaming the victim…
– Instead, advocate for victim’s rights.
• Avoid engaging in, supporting or encouraging sexual harassment…
– Instead, speak out against all forms of violence.
– Instead, speak out against racist, sexist, or homophobic jokes.
– Instead, engage others in discussions about sexual violence.
• Avoid making threats or using coercion and pressure as a way to get sex…
– Instead, encourage others to stop their sexual advances if the other
person says “NO”.
• Avoid making assumptions…
– Instead, challenge assumptions.
• Avoid buying music that glorifies sexual violence…
– Urge your local radio stations to stop playing music that contains
violent lyrics.

11. The Basics
• Trust your gut feeling.
• Listen!
• Empathize.
• Empower!
• Advocate.
• Reach out!
• Have compassion.
• Speak up!
– Get other to speak out against sexual violence. Tell your
parents, friends and others what you know about sexual
assault. Applaud those who speak out against sexual
violence.

12. Think globally, act locally…
work towards eliminating
oppression of all kinds.
Open your mind, Open your eyes,
Open your heart!

13. Break the Silence…
FIND YOUR VOICE!
Abhishek Jaguessar
dnaslive33@gmail.com