Resources available to keep students safe while on campus

Campus safety has been an issue since the beginning of campuses. Along with other factors, many students choose their school based on campus crime rates and safety.

Utah State University Police Capt. Steve Milne said USU doesn’t have a large number of stranger assaults or criminal mischief, such as destruction of property.

“Theft is by far the biggest problem at Utah State, particularly thefts of opportunity,” he said. “It takes two minutes of someone not paying attention”.   

Milne said students should write down the serial number and item description of all bikes and electronic items, because that is the best way to track down stolen property. He also said it is a good idea for students to lock their doors every time they go somewhere, even for a couple of minutes.

Other crimes that occur on almost any college campus are forms of sexual assault. Though there is not a large number of sexual assault cases on USU’s campus, some have been reported. According to the 2009 Annual Police Report, 10 on-campus assaults were reported that year, compared to five in 2005. However, during the last academic year, 21 rapes were reported to SAAVI (Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information).

Milne said most of the time, a victim is sexually assaulted by someone they know, whether it is an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, or someone in one of their classes.

According to the SAAVI website, one in four college women have experienced a rape or attempted rape, and nation-wide, one-third of college men reported they would rape a woman if they knew they would not get caught.

Milne said many people choose not to report cases of sexual assault for various reasons but he encourages everyone to do so. The 2009 Annual Police Report states that assaults most commonly occur on Thursday and Sunday, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. and from 4-6 p.m.

According to the SAAVI website, college students are most vulnerable to rape during the first few weeks of their freshman and sophomore years. SAAVI coordinator and certified social worker Monica Heiner said students should also make sure they know who they’re sleeping with.

“Make sure that your sexual interactions are in a formed relationship. Keep your boundaries intact and your communication open in your relationship,” Heiner said. “Students should also be careful about alcohol use, date rape drugs and should be aware of who they accept drinks from.”

State law says no one can give consent to anything if they’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Students should be aware of this law,” Heiner said. She said anyone can press charges against people if they consented while under the influence.

Utah State has some issues with underage drinking and illegal substance use, but the MIPs (minor in possession) and DUIs (driving under the influence) are substantially lower than the rates of other campuses, Milne said. However, in 2009, 51 percent of all arrests by campus police were alcohol related.

Tanille Turner, a junior majoring in liberal arts, said: “I carry pepper spray with me all the time. When I’m walking home or to my car and it’s late at night, I hold my car key in between my fingers, so I can use it if I need.”

If students do not wish to report a crime to USU police, they can contact the USU Counseling Center, the USU Affirmative Action Office, any dean’s office, the vice president for Student Services, SAAVI or a member of the Housing staff.

Students can learn more about crime prevention by taking classes offered by Utah State, which can be found at the public safety website.

     If students feel in danger, there are resources available to them. Students can call 911, or the USU police at 435-797-1939. If a student is on campus, they can locate a light post with an emergency button that goes straight to USU police dispatch. Students can also call USU police 24 hours a day for an escort to their car or apartment, as long as it is on campus.

Students who are a victim of sexual assault or rape can contact SAAVI at 435-797-1510 or CAPSA (Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency) at 435-753-2500. Students can also contact the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.

 

–  tessa.karrington@aggiemail.usu.edu