From the start of the fall semester until Thanksgiving break, 50% of all college sexual assaults are statistically found to occur. If this statistic is true at other schools, it is also true of ours.
The first weeks of the semester are crucial for new experiences, growth and change from a previous routine and unfortunately, are also accompanied by a higher risk of sexual assault cases.
The increase in sexual assault cases during this period is referred to as the Red Zone. This period isn’t coincidental, as the return of students to campus calls for celebration in the form of parties and gatherings, as well as an influx of new people, equaling a higher risk for dangerous sexual behavior.
Out of the student population, women, students with disabilities and LGBTQ+ students remain at the highest risk of encountering sexual assault. Specifically, women aged 18-24 on college campuses are three times more likely to experience assault compared to women in the same age band who don’t live on campus.
Among these, first-year students on campus remain the most vulnerable to attacks and assaults. The heightened risk comes as a result of new relationships, environments and situations.
The business of a new environment, especially on a college campus, calls for new relationships to form. While there is no reason why assault should occur, this is an indicator of its increased occurrence within the first six to eight weeks of the semester.
At Ohio University, sexual assault prevention education begins before a student steps onto campus. Bystander intervention remains one of the school’s top priorities when educating students on methods to prevent sexual assault.
While prevention empowers students and provides them with more tools for safety, more than 77% of assault cases go unreported in the period of the Red Zone.
Ultimately, it is up to college administrators to promote a safe learning environment, as well as to open themselves up to students as a resource. Those who assist the first-year students must discuss the red zone and teach students about the resources available to them. This will promote comfortable spaces for students to share their experiences and receive support.
For students, organizations such as the Survivor Advocacy Program provide safe places, people and resources for survivors. SAP works to provide power back to the situation and is open to all students who may need support. There are also mental health resources available to students through counseling and psychological services.
Prevention of sexual assault also comes with proper sexual health education. General education on sexual health can help to inform and protect individuals by empowering them to learn and understand their bodies. Coupled with education comes a need for STI testing and annual appointments for STD testing. Not only is it important to practice consent and sexual education, but vital to keep yourself safe and healthy by testing regularly.
The ultimate goal of every university should be to pour as much time and energy as needed into preventing assault from happening on campus. As the Red Zone’s timeframe continues, it is up to administrators to teach prevention techniques, educate their students, provide resources and ultimately ensure that sexual assault does not go unpunished and is treated as the serious offense it is.
The Post editorials are independent of the publication's news coverage. The Post can be reached via editor@thepostathens.com.
