LETTER: Don’t let your gaurd down on campus

Editor,

As I left my first class today, I spoke with a friend of mine who I had not seen in quite some time. He works here on campus. When I asked him how his job was going, he told me about an incident that he had to deal with last semester. He happened to mention that one of the girls who lives in his building was sexually assaulted by three men right outside her dorm on campus.

I was shocked. I knew that rape is a reality here at Utah State University, but I had been previously informed that the incidents were all “acquaintance rapes,” where the victim knows her assailant and is taken advantage of. I had been told that this type of incident just doesn’t happen here.

The woman did not initially go to the police, but instead confided in my friend, who then encouraged her to tell the police and seek counseling. Though she was able to give a description to the police, these men are still at large.

Gone are the days in which we can assume that all is well here in Logan. This community has been plagued with many of the social diseases that afflict the cities of this great nation, but we have been able to console ourselves in the thought that it can’t happen to us. We must open our eyes to evil people that are among us, trying to do us harm.

We place ourselves and our loved ones most at risk when we assume that we are immune. The predominance of the LDS faith in this region can lull us into a false sense of security, but sadly, this is no longer enough. Everyone should take steps to protect themselves, because it can happen to you.

The university offers many options to improve your safety. There are self-defense classes, some even set aside for women only. The campus police are always available to escort students to their vehicles and can be reached for this purpose by dialing 797-1939.

I would also encourage those who are so inclined to exercise their Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms and enroll in a concealed weapons class. With the proper training and license, students can better protect themselves from harm. Though many might disagree with me, I feel that this is a great way students (especially female students) can protect themselves from assailants who may be stronger or outnumber them. As a wise person once said, God made men and women, but Winchester made men and women equal.

Gabriel White