Breaking the cycle by breaking the silence

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. What does that mean to you? Maybe more than you think.

It seems like some dedicated awareness months come and go without so much as a television ad campaign and therefore stay largely out of the public eye, regardless of the gravity of the issues they address. Even if you do know that it's National You Should Definitely Eat More Whole Grains Month, this knowledge might cause little more than an offhand choice to buy wheat bread one week instead of white.

But this year, the focus of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is on college students in particular. According to an April 1 press release from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the 2010 campaign is called "Prevent Sexual Violence... on our campuses."

The release notes, "It is estimated that for every 1,000 women attending a college or university, there are 35 incidents of rape each academic year." At a school with 10,000 female students enrolled, that could mean up to 350 incidents a year -- 350 too many. This statistic doesn't match up with the numbers officially reported on campuses each year; many rapes go unreported for various reasons.

Regardless of this underreporting, rape is still the most common violent crime perpetrated on college campuses in the United States, according to a document released by the U.S. Department of Justice entitled "Acquaintance Rape of College Students."

The document, a guide for local law enforcement personnel, offers some potential explanation for why some college men become rapists as discerned from research over the last few decades. These reasons include stereotypical views of women's sexual behavior, sexist attitudes and seeking sexual conquest, peer support for sexually abusive behavior and viewing alcohol as a tool for sexual conquest.

How often have you heard someone make a blatantly sexist, crude joke and said nothing? How often have you heard of or seen someone taking advantage of a girl who was clearly intoxicated? How many times have you sat and listened and watched to these things and remained silent?

Behavior cannot be prevented without a change in attitude. Attitudes cannot be changed without awareness and discussion. Statistics speak loudly to the masses but are almost transparent to the unassuming individual. The numbers may not mean much to you on paper.

Even if you are not aware of one of your friends or acquaintances ever having been sexually assaulted, the odds are wildly in favor of you knowing someone who has been or will be a victim. The aforementioned DOJ document reports that nearly one in four college women have been victims of rape or a rape attempt since the age of 14.

"Well, what can I do?" you ask. Lots of things. Speak up when you hear degrading comments. Look out for your friends, especially when drinking is involved. Be safe yourself. Never assume it can't happen to you or someone you care about.