UAPD hosts sexual assault awareness program
Jack Willems
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: News
The UA Police Department hosted a sexual assault and rape awareness program Thursday night at 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. in Maple Hill. The program included a showing of the movie "Rebecca's Story" and a discussion session. The UAPD invited all female students, faculty and staff to attend.
The purpose of the program was to teach girls to be aware of the dangers and avoid being a victim, said Jerry Weiner, crime prevention officer.
"We are trying to get started early for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is in April," Weiner said.
Since the beginning of the school year, the UAPD has received three reports of rape, but most rapes are not reported, UAPD officer Jennifer Sibley said.
Studies show that 25 percent of college women across the nation have been victims of sexual assault, and 90 percent knew their assailant, Sibley said. Only 13 percent of these rapes occur on dates, and most of these rapes occur in other situations such as parties or while studying, she said.
"Trust is something most girls have in their friends and boyfriends, and you just can't do that in this day and age," Weiner said.
To avoid becoming victims, girls should use the buddy system when going to parties, Sibley said. While it is very common for girls to go to a party together, leaving the party is a different matter, she said.
If possible, they should avoid walking home on their own, particularly because the UAPD offers rides at night, Sibley said. Girls also should never leave their drinks unattended, she said.
"If you ever put a drink down for more than a minute, don't touch it," Sibley said.
In addition to those tips, girls may take rape aggression defense classes offered at the university. These classes are geared to teach girls how to escape from someone who is trying to assault them, Weiner said.
"If you are grabbed, we will teach you to get away," he said.
The most difficult part about teaching sexual assault awareness is that most college students do not think it will happen to them, Weiner said. Furthermore, most rapes of college students happen at the beginning of their freshman year, Sibley said.
The purpose of the program was to teach girls to be aware of the dangers and avoid being a victim, said Jerry Weiner, crime prevention officer.
"We are trying to get started early for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is in April," Weiner said.
Since the beginning of the school year, the UAPD has received three reports of rape, but most rapes are not reported, UAPD officer Jennifer Sibley said.
Studies show that 25 percent of college women across the nation have been victims of sexual assault, and 90 percent knew their assailant, Sibley said. Only 13 percent of these rapes occur on dates, and most of these rapes occur in other situations such as parties or while studying, she said.
"Trust is something most girls have in their friends and boyfriends, and you just can't do that in this day and age," Weiner said.
To avoid becoming victims, girls should use the buddy system when going to parties, Sibley said. While it is very common for girls to go to a party together, leaving the party is a different matter, she said.
If possible, they should avoid walking home on their own, particularly because the UAPD offers rides at night, Sibley said. Girls also should never leave their drinks unattended, she said.
"If you ever put a drink down for more than a minute, don't touch it," Sibley said.
In addition to those tips, girls may take rape aggression defense classes offered at the university. These classes are geared to teach girls how to escape from someone who is trying to assault them, Weiner said.
"If you are grabbed, we will teach you to get away," he said.
The most difficult part about teaching sexual assault awareness is that most college students do not think it will happen to them, Weiner said. Furthermore, most rapes of college students happen at the beginning of their freshman year, Sibley said.
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