Rape constitutes first and third degree CSC, defined by victim coercion or incapacitation and sexual penetration. The 2010 annual MSU police report shows only nine first and third degree CSC cases were filed. However, rape happens more than this report demonstrates. It is widely recognized that 96 percent of the time, victims of sexual assault are women, a figure reinforced by the 2009 Michigan Crimes Against Persons report.

Although 26 percent of rapes are characterized as “stranger” rape, or rape committed by a person unknown to the victim, 76 percent of rapes are perpetrated by someone with whom the victim is acquainted. This number increases on a college campus the size of MSU, where 84 percent of acquaintance rapes are committed by a “nice guy” who the victim knows, according to expert Steve Thompson.

Thompson is well-known for his development of the “nice guy” profile, which can be used to explain the typical perpetrator of rape on college campuses. The “nice guy” profile earned its name from the way in which many women recount their story. It begins by describing the perpetrator as a “nice guy.” This “nice guy” is athletic, confident, attractive and well-liked by everyone. He does not constrain himself with long-term relationships and often is the center of attention in a social gathering. Our “nice guy” might admit to coercing a woman to have sex with him, but he will not define it as rape. He might not define the incident as rape because he thinks she passively allowed it or, had she not wanted it, she would not have acted in a way that allowed it to happen.

Furthermore, others do not believe the “nice guy” would need to rape because many women are attracted to him. After the assault, the “nice guy” will tell the victim the sex was consensual and assault three or four more women before anyone reports an incident. Because of the way in which the offender operates, a victim will often hold herself or himself responsible because of being enmeshed in our victim-blaming and myth-based understanding of rape. The reality of the frequency of sexual assault must be changed by starting the conversation.

MSU is exemplary in its services for survivors of sexual assault. On campus, we use bystander intervention, counseling, expert witnesses and support and advocacy through the student conduct or investigative systems to help the student victim begin to heal or seek justice.

The Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence, or SARV, Prevention Program hosts required, peer-led workshops on bystander intervention for first-year students. Students participate in the interactive presentations on definitions of sexual assault, relationship violence, typical cases on college campuses and ways to support a victim. The workshops also split into male/female groups to discuss protection, blaming and intervention strategies.

Additionally, we have advocates — adults experienced in dynamics of sexual assault — who accompany victims during intimidating medical examination and police investigations. Our advocates also serve as expert witnesses who are called upon by a prosecutor in a court of law to educate the jury on myths that promote victim blaming.

Confidential resources include the MSU Sexual Assault Program, in the basement of Student Services and MSU Safe Place. If applicable, both offer advocacy to the victim through investigations and the student conduct system. MSU Sexual Assault Program offers free crisis intervention, therapy and support groups. MSU Safe Place is the only on-campus domestic violence shelter in the entire nation. Counselors and experts in domestic violence help victims develop a plan to stay safe. Judicial Affairs and the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives work to make our campus safe. The Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives investigates violations of the sexual harassment policy (including sexual assault) and determines responsibility.

Finally, everyone is welcome to attend Violence Free Communities meetings and contribute to a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to ending violence on our campus. Violence Free Communities meet the second Friday of every month at 10:30 a.m. in Room 13 Student Services.

Although MSU offers a myriad of services for victims, rape continues with alarming frequency. The SARV workshop script, written by director Kelly Schweda, puts it best: “When we begin to educate ourselves on this issue, we also begin to realize how small changes can influence everyone around us. When we allow people to be victimized with sexualized jokes, language and behaviors, we harm our society as a whole.”

Every one of us has a responsibility to become more aware of the occurrence of this crime and, in turn, make a positive change toward ending it. Sisters, brothers, cousins, friends and our own bodies are at stake.

Norris and Yondo will be presenting their research Jan. 27, 2012 at the Comparative Cultures and Politics research showcase in Case Hall.

Annie Norris, a political theory and constitutional democracy senior, and Chelsea Yondo, a comparative cultures and politics senior, are State News guest columnists.

Reach Norris at norrisa9@msu.edu. Reach Yondo at yondoche@msu.edu.