Sexual Assault Awareness day gives women tips for self-defense
Complete with self-defense demonstrations and a doughnut-eating contest, USU’s annual Red Zone Day aimed to build awareness of the different resources available to students, according to information put out by USU’s Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information (SAVVI) Office.
Self-defense classes taught by USU police officer, Shane Sessions, sought to give women on campus the opportunity to learn a few basic self-defense moves. One in three women will be assaulted in their lifetime, Sessions said. If women are prepared they are going to be less likely to become a victim which is one of the reasons USU teaches RAD (rape aggression defense), he said.
“What we typically taught women was kick him in the groin and poke him in eye but it lacked something,” Sessions said. “We love the (RAD) program because it will help women at every level.”
Besides offering self-defense classes for women, Red Zone Day offered a media presentation for men on ways to prevent becoming a victim of sexual assault and ways to help survivors.
According to information put out by SAVVI the Red Zone is the time from August to Thanksgiving break when students are most at risk for sexual assault which is the reason why SAVVI puts on this annual Red Zone day, to help raise awareness of the dangers.
“We want to use this funny spectacle as a way to remind campus that we can all make difference if we are willing to open our mouths and talk about sexual assault,” said Rachel Brighton, USU SAAVI coordinator, in a press release. “If, through our words and actions, we send the message that rape will not be tolerated, we can stop this problem in its tracks.”
–debrajoy.h@aggiemail.usu.edu
Besides self-defense classes, Red Zone Day featured a doughnut eating contest and booths from different organizations on campus all aimed at raising awareness of sexual assault and the things that can be done to prevent it from happening as often. (Jordan Checketts)