While You’re Abroad

Adjusting to Cultural Norms

Each host culture varies tremendously in their attitudes toward men and women, response to crime, and resources available to victims of sexual misconduct. Prior to departing for your study abroad experience, it is important to familiarize yourself with the general attitudes of your host culture toward men and women, Americans, communication styles and cues, dress, and acceptable behaviors. Unknowingly, students studying abroad may communicate or dress in ways that may be misinterpreted by members of the host culture and increase their vulnerability.

Drink Responsibly

Although the victim is never responsible for an attacker’s sexual misconduct, there are preventative measures one can take to reduce one’s risk of being targeted. Students studying abroad will likely have increased access to alcohol because of lower legal age limits for purchasing alcoholic beverages. “Binge drinking” behavior common across U.S. college campuses is not as prevalent in cultures abroad. Students abroad may be unaware of higher alcohol content in drinks and therefore may become intoxicated more quickly. It is important that students are both careful of what they drink and are sure to not leave their beverage unattended to prevent the addition of any unknown substances. Knowing your limits and sticking to them is one of the most effective things you can do to decrease your risk of sexual misconduct. 

Maintain Open Communication

Sexual partners have the right and responsibility to know and vocalize their sexual limits. It is important that each partner communicates clearly and clarifies their partner’s wishes if confusion or ambiguity arise at any time. Speak up about what you want and don’t want, and encourage your partner to do the same. Although this can be difficult, NOT talking can contribute to confusion and misinterpretation of cultural norms and nonverbal behaviors (flirting, touching, kissing, etc.). 

Trust Your Instincts

Across all host countries, students often experience an illusion of safety while abroad. A general sense of adventure or a desire to fit into a new culture may cause students to relax their personal boundaries. If you find yourself in a situation in which you don’t feel comfortable, you have the right to say (or shout), “Stop – I don’t want this!” or to leave the situation and get help. Many victims of sexual misconduct later express having felt uncomfortable or afraid before the incident(s) happened, but they dismissed these feelings because it would have been embarrassing or difficult to act on them. Always trust your instincts.   

Preventative Safety Measures

Measures to prevent vulnerability to sexual misconduct include but are not limited to:

• Paying attention to your surroundings at all times
• Making sure that someone always knows where you are
• Keeping your room, windows, and doors locked at all times
• Walking in well-lit areas and in groups at night
• Studying in populated areas, particularly on weekends and holidays
• Saying no to rides from strangers
• Staying in populated areas if you think you’re being followed

Resources for Help

In the event that you or a friend is a victim of sexual misconduct, your host country may have the best resources available for crisis response and immediate support.  Always get to a safe place and seek immediate medical assistance first. Then, seek out resources for emotional support as well as information on safety and reporting options. If you have it, save any evidence like notes, voice messages, emails, and gifts.

If your friend is a victim of sexual misconduct, it can be difficult to know what emotional help they need.  Some strategies for supporting a friend are:

• Affirming that it is not their fault
• Understanding each person responds differently to sexual misconduct
• Being a good listener
• Encouraging your friend to report the misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator and/or law enforcement
• Urging medical attention, and in stalking situations, law enforcement assistance as well
• Continuing your support during the recovery process

References

• Lost in Translation: Helping Study Abroad Students Understand Sexual Violence. New Jersey: Rutgers Study Abroad, 2008. Print.
• Sexual Misconduct: Keys to Prevention and Resources for Help. North Carolina: Wake Forest University, 2011. Print.