“In the second half of the film, when things get ugly, it only takes a minute,” she says. “Students can see ‘Yeah, I’ve got to be careful because things could go south just that quickly.”
Alcohol’s Role Is Addressed Carefully
Because alcohol and/or drugs are often an integral part of college sexual assaults, these topics must be covered, but in a way that doesn’t blame the victim.
“The key words are ‘reducing vulnerability,’” says Beazley. “We don’t say, ‘If you get drunk, it’s your fault.’ We’ve got to stay far, far from that.
“On the other hand, [the topic of alcohol and drugs] is really important, and I let the students tell me that it increases your vulnerability if you are under the influence. Using ‘Welcome to the Party,’ I ask them ‘How come you can see who the assailant is now, but this is happening on campus almost every day?’ And they’ll say, ‘Well, we’re sober.’ And I’ll say, ‘Thank you.’ (Article continues below).
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“It doesn’t mean it’s the victim’s fault. It just means you reduce your vulnerability when you know what’s going on around you. It’s a matter of safety and reducing vulnerability.”
The film goes on to cover what happens after the assault, and how nurses collect evidence of the attack.
When the film concludes, WVU sexual assault prevention educators discuss where to take a friend if he or she has been assaulted. The educators explain the process of going to the school’s two sexual assault nurse examiners. Additionally, they explain that the victim will not have to pay for the services rendered.
“Their mom and dad’s insurance won’t be billed,” says Beazley. “So as long as they are 18, it’s confidential. That seems to be very important to students – that they are in control of who knows. They almost always tell mom and dad, but the idea that this thing won’t get away from them seems to be important.”
