In an effort to increase campus awareness about sexual violence and what it means to be assaulted, Peace Over Violence gave a detailed presentation that was hosted by the ECC Feminist Alliance Club in the Student Activities Center.

“Sexual assault is when a person is forced or coerced to participate in a sexual act that one does not consent to,” Angela Garcia, Peace Over Violence representative and student at El Camino College, said.

Sexual assault can be broken down into many different categories, such as rape, or other types of abuse which would include physical, verbal, emotional and mental, Garcia said.

“It is not necessarily rape. There is a lot,” Garcia said.

Just because you are making out does not mean that it is consent. If a person is intoxicated, they cannot give consent, Garcia said

“The first time someone says ‘no’ or does not give a verbal ‘yes’, that’s when you should not proceed with any sexual relations with that person,” Millie Grgas, Peace Over Violence representative, said.

Most rapes do not occur between strangers. 80 percent of rapes are done by someone the victim knows, Grgas said.

“90 percent of rapists never go to prison,” Grgas said.

This is because of certain loopholes such as when victims do not press charges or rape kits are not filled out properly. Only two percent of rapes are found to be false reports, Grgas said.

Some of the signs of sexual assault trauma are depression, flashbacks, sleepiness, and repetitive thoughts that go over and over again, Grgas said.

Many abnormalities can be a result of sexual abuse such as eating disorders or weird quirks. Judging by the statistics, it might be rape, Grgas said.

“It is never the victims fault. It is a power play. Never victimize a victim,” Grgas said.

The number also increases if someone has a disability, Grgas said.

“One in every five women are assaulted,” Erika Barbero, ECC Feminist Alliance member said.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and April 24th is Denim Day USA. This is when people make a statement by wearing denim in support of a past rape victim who’s case was overruled because she was forced to take off her jeans before she was raped, Garcia said.

The ECC Feminist Alliance meets on Thursdays on the Schauerman Library Lawn from 1 to 1:55 p.m.

The Sexual Assault Hotline is : (626)793-3385