Assault on campus

Recently, a assault was reported on campus that later turned out to be false. It has been brought to my attention that this specific case as led some to generalize that many reports of assault, specifically sexual assault, are actually false. This generalization is horribly incorrect. Sexual assault is actually the most underreported violent crime in the United States. This fact earned sexual assault the title of "the Silent Epidemic."

Despite the recent fictitious claim, assault and safety on campus are both still very important issues. Everyone should be aware of violence and how to prevent it. There are many simple things you can do to prevent violence before it occurs.

The University of Northern Iowa is generally viewed as a very safe campus. When I first considered attending this college, I was speaking to one of my friends who was already enrolled here and asked about the safety of the campus. He mentioned the blue poles that are all around campus that have a button that can be pushed in the event of an emergency. He also talked about the escort services that the UNI Police offer for those late nights coming home from the library.

In addition, UNI Public Safety also offers a self-defense class for women called Rape Aggression Defense or RAD. This class is taught by UNI police and offers a mix of education and physical defense lessons. I have been through the program myself and I strongly recommend it to all female students, especially if you have habit of shutting down the library and heading home at midnight by yourself like I frequently do.

These precautions make me feel much safer on campus, but the truth of the matter is that some types of offenses reported on campus have been increasing in recent years. Forcible sexual offenses at UNI, like the one that could have occurred as a result of the reported assault from earlier this month, increased from five reports in 2005 to 14 in 2007 according to the report prepared by the UNI Public Safety entitled "Crimes Reported to University of Northern Iowa Department of Public Safety." However, the number did go down to eight reports in 2008.

UNI defines forcible sexual offenses as "Any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent." Usually, incapable of giving consent assumes that the victim is incapacitated due to alcohol or drug consumption.

It is important to be prepared and aware should you be affected by violence. Know where the blue poles are and how to get to them. Have a friend you can call and talk to on the way home. Try not to walk home alone in the dark if possible. Know self defense and be able to use it if need be.

This is a very real concern for many college-age women. At least one of four college-age women will be a victim of sexual assault during her academic career.
             
Despite the importance of being prepared in the event of an attack by a stranger, most sexual assaults actually occur with someone you know personally. In fact, at least 80 percent of all sexual assaults are committed by an acquaintance of the victim. In addition, roughly 50 percent of sexual assaults involve alcohol use.
             
As a result, you should also be smart about when you go out. Keep an eye on your drink at all times. Go out with friends you trust.  Do not travel alone if at all possible.
If you have been a victim of assault you can report it to the UNI Police (319-273-4000 for on campus emergencies) or contact Violence Intervention Services. UNI Violence Intervention Services also provides a form on their website (http://www.uni.edu/wellrec/wellness/sexualabuse/index.html) to file an anonymous report.