Female freshmen at high risk of sexual assault during Red Zone
Female freshmen are at the highest risk for sexual or physical assault from the day they arrive on campus until Thanksgiving Break.
This time is called the Red Zone.
Shane Sessions, a sergeant for the Utah State University Police Department, said students arrive and know almost nothing about the city. They don’t know they are in danger.
“They are trying to fit in and participate in activities that they usually wouldn’t,” he said.
Jennifer White, USU self-defense instructor, said every woman needs to take a self-defense course.
“Self defense can be used every day,” she said. “It will open your eyes, change your life, make you view the world in a different light, make you more confident, and arm you with knowledge.”
Most of self-defense is knowing your environment, being aware and having the right attitude. “It could never happen to me” is the wrong attitude, she said.
“We can never expect what is going to happen in the real world, but in self defense, we do the best we can,” White said.
When placed in a situation they don’t like, students can use their voices as a first defense. They should make sure the other person knows “no” means “no.”
“The most important thing is to get the proper training and commit to everything,” White said. “Indecision will kill you.”
For students who are victims of sexual assault or rape, there is help. Police should be notified within 72 hours. USU counseling is free and can be reached at 797-1012. Contacting CAPSA Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency at 753-2500 is another option.
Sessions said USU is statistically lower than BYU and the University of Utah for sexual assaults, but national statistics say for every one woman who reports an assault, nine do not. They are afraid no one will believe them, fear further attacks, or feel guilty for letting it happen to them, he said.
Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) has been set up to help victims deal with assault. SART is made up of law officers and medical teams. When someone calls, SART reviews the story, documents it and takes care of the victim, who is guided through counseling and legal actions.
-kassrobison@cc.usu.edu