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Female freshmen: common target of sexual assault |
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Thursday, 16 August 2007 |
by LINDSAY TIGAR
Lifestyles Editor
Tina Thompson, from Myer’s Park, N.C., may need to be extra cautious of her surroundings, those she is around and what type of drink she consumes.
Why?
Because Thompson, like nearly 1,500 other students this fall, is an incoming female freshman.
“There
is evidence that supports incoming freshmen women are more vulnerable
to sexual assault and rape,” said Dr. Dan L. Jones, director and chief
psychologist for the Counseling and Psychological Services Center.
According to a study conducted by California Polytechnic University,
freshmen females are at the highest risk for sexual assault between
their first day on campus and Thanksgiving break.
In many cases, the victim or the predator during a sexual assault or rape is under the influence of alcohol, Jones said.
“Even though they know they are not supposed to, and their parents have
told them not to, and it’s against the law, a lot of freshmen do
drink,” Jones said. “Most aren’t savvy on how alcohol affects them and
being drunk or intoxicated makes you more vulnerable.”
Another contributing factor to freshmen female rape incidents can be the change of scenery.
“Freshmen are excited about the freedom, the possibilities and the
adventure of college they are just starting,” Jones said. “They get
caught up in that adventure and are often excited about the opposite
sex.”
“There are studies where guys have been interviewed where they are
quoted as saying they target freshmen women,” Jones said. “They
wouldn’t think of themselves as targeting them, but rather hoping they
can achieve ‘their goal.’”
In fact, according to the study mentioned above, one in 12 college
males admit to having committed acts that fit the legal description of
rape or acquaintance rape.
Another component that may contribute to the vulnerability of freshman women is their address.
“I think the reason we usually see more freshmen in sexual assault
cases is because most freshmen live on campus where upperclassmen do
not,” Captain Eddie J. Rector, chief investigator for University
Police, said. “If there is a sexual assault that happens on campus, it
usually happens at night when someone is walking from one place to
another.”
Rector said while predators are not specifically targeting freshmen on
campus, freshmen may be more susceptible because of their location and
the changes going on in their lives.
“[Freshmen] are not familiar with their surroundings,” Rector said.
“And they are not wise with the education that life gives you after
living at a university for a year or more.”
Thompson feels confident that she will be able to take precautions accordingly and have a safe first year at Appalachian State.
“I feel safe at Appalachian State and a lot of ‘would be’ problem areas
are well lit and well traveled,” she said. “Sometimes I feel scared
because of the statistics, but I’m aware enough of my surroundings and
I will try to avoid a bad situation.”
University Police has also taken measures to ensure student’s safety on campus.
“We have hired more officers to help us cover more areas and free up
officers to work on specific tasks,” Rector said. “We have also done a
lot of training with the Boone Police Department and the Watauga
Sheriffs Department over the summer.”
University Police and the Boone Police Department also partner with
counseling and psychological services and SART (Sexual Assault Response
Team) to help students if a sexual assault or rape does occur even
after preventative measures are advised, Rector said.
SART is made up of different members across the county, counseling
services, hospital employees, OASIS and all police departments.
They work together and meet monthly to discuss ways to help prevent sexual assault or assist victims in any way they can.
“That might mean sitting with them in court or going with them to the hospital,” Rector said.
“Sometimes they just don’t know where to go or which way to turn and we are there to help.”
Jones suggests that freshmen females stick together while attending
parties or walking through campus and should be cautious of their
surroundings.
“Make pro-active plans to look for one another,” he said. “Make a decision or a limit on how much you are going to drink.”
Jones also suggests getting to know a member of the opposite sex gradually to ensure they have kind intentions.
“There is a certain amount of excitement about feeling like you’re an
adult as a freshman,” Jones said. “All of us want to be independent and
autonomous but that should be coupled with wisdom and good decision
making.”
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