According to the University Police Department, Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) is a fundamental, hands-on training that teaches women and men how to defend themselves in the event of an attack. Courtesy of USF St. Petersburg
By Carrie Pinkard
The beginning of a new school year is upon us. Students are finalizing their course schedules, buying their textbooks and picking out decorations for their dorm rooms. Many college freshmen think of this time as one of excitement and opportunity. While it most certainly is that and more, it is also a time dubbed “The Red Zone,” the period of time between the first day of school and Thanksgiving break when students are most likely to experience sexual assault.
What is The Red Zone?
The Red Zone refers to the first month and a half of college when a freshman woman is most likely to experience rape or attempted rape. More than 50 percent of college sexual assaults occur between August and November.
Freshman women are new to campus and college life in general. They haven’t formed solid friendships and relationships. Instead, everyone is unfamiliar, and it can be difficult to know who to trust. Consequently, assaulters view freshman women as easy targets. The lethal combination of vulnerability and alcohol cause the number of assaults during the first semester of college to skyrocket.
What can freshman women do to prevent sexual assault?
It is not the responsibility of freshman women to avoid being assaulted. When a sexual assault does occurs, the fault only lies with the assaulter. That being said, there are a number of preventative measures that can be taken to better ensure safety.
One is a Rape Aggression Defense training course that’s offered at USF St. Petersburg Tuesday’s from Sept. 11 through Nov. 16 for women and Wednesday’s Sept. 12 through Nov. 17 for men. This course offers hands-on training that will teach students how to physically defend yourself against an attacker.
The course is free for students and teaches self defense tactics that empower you to feel more comfortable fighting back. For more information, visit the University Police Department website.
Another important measure freshman women can take is to look out for each other. When going out for an evening with your friends, always return with the friends you left with. Make sure you know who your friends are. Don’t let someone you don’t know separate you from your group without telling someone where you’re going. And don’t let the allure of alcohol trump the responsibility you have to look after your friends.
When you do enter a sexual situation with someone, be sure to clearly communicate what your boundaries are. Speak up for yourself, and if the person tries to push you further, do everything you can to physically remove yourself from the situation. Don’t be afraid to cause a scene. Make a lot of noise. Use physical force. Terminate the interaction by whatever means necessary.
What can we as a campus community do?
When it comes to ending sexual assault on campus, the entire community has to work together. USF St. Petersburg has to be a community that doesn’t tolerate sexual assault and understands that consent is crucial.
It’s the responsibility of the campus community as a whole to step in and intervene when you suspect an assault might take place. Upperclassmen can have a huge impact on stopping sexual assaults from happening by simply checking in on younger students.
If you are at a party and witness a freshman drinking too much, check in on them. Offer to help them find their friends or offer to walk them home. Don’t assume that they will end up OK. Intervene if you notice a male student insisting that a woman leave with him. Be the kind of person you would want to have around if you were drunk and confused at a new university.
If a friend comes to you and tells you they were assaulted, listen to them. Be sure to show them the resources that are readily available at USF St. Petersburg.
What resources are available at USF St. Petersburg for sexual assault victims?
First of all, the University Police Department is available 24/7 if you want to report an assault. The number is (727) 873-4444.
USF St. Petersburg also offers a Victim Advocate who is there to provide information and referrals to any victims of rape, assault, or domestic violence. The number to call is 727-873-4422.
Additionally, the Student of Concern Assistance Team, works alongside the university police department to provide assistance to students who experience situations that affect academic and personal success. A referral form can be filed through the USF St. Petersburg website.The student will be contacted by a member of the SOCAT team.
If reporting your assault doesn’t feel like the best option for you, the university also offers counseling services in the Wellness Center. Students can attend up to 12 free sessions before being referred to group counseling or outside service providers.
Mental health is every bit as important as physical health. If you are dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault, you can seek counseling here on campus. If you’re grappling with violent thoughts and worry you may act on them, you can also seek counseling. Help is available for any student who needs it.
What comes after “The Red Zone”?
Unfortunately, when Thanksgiving break rolls around and you’re back at home eating turkey and stuffing, it doesn’t mean you’re clear from experiencing sexual assault.
“The Red Zone” might be the most prevalent time that sexual assaults occur, but they can and do happen outside this zone as well. While this article focuses on freshman women, 23.1% of undergraduate females and 5.4% of undergraduate males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.
Sexual assault is something that can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation.
Ending sexual assault altogether is a goal that will only come from a change in our culture.
Ending sexual violence on our campus at USF St. Petersburg will come down to raising awareness of the issue, intervening when necessary and implementing a zero tolerance policy for assaulters.
