The first month of school for college freshmen is filled with meeting new people and exploring new boundaries. What you may not be aware of is that the first month is also filled with potential danger. “Red Zone” is the term used to describe the first six weeks of school in which many freshmen are at high risk for unwanted sex or sexual assault.
Students are so busy adjusting to the college lifestyle, which includes partying and drinking, that they are not aware of the surrounding harm and they become extremely vulnerable. This newfound freedom is something that becomes very apparent to potential assaulters or rapists. Seeking out the drunkest person at a party is easy, and some actions taken by students can make you a clear target for the bad guy.Â
Statistically, one in four college women will fall victim to sexual assault or attempted assault. Because of that, campuses across the country have taken preventative measures to ensure the safety of on-campus students. UNCW has a plethora of call boxes strategically placed along campus in the event that a student needs emergency help. The UNCW Police Department monitors all of the call box activity so that they can help in a time of crisis. The department also offers RAD, a Rape Aggression Defense class, as both a P.E. credit and a voluntary class. It is a great opportunity to learn how to defend yourself if you are ever in a dangerous position. The problem with this is that students typically bypass these measures because they feel like it would never happen to them.
That is where another department comes in—CARE, a confidential resource center for students at UNCW, launched “Red Zone” four years ago to make freshman more aware of what could happen in the first six weeks of their college life. They seek to make the university safer by educating students at orientation and at the start of the semester with skills that could benefit them in a dangerous situation and better yet, prevent that situation from happening.
“Red Zone” helps students focus on the idea that an assault or rape could happen to them, as well as educating them that the number one date rape drug is alcohol—that’s right, it’s not a drug slipped in your drink.
“90% of victims on campuses know who their offenders are,” said Jen Alder, the Associate Director at CARE.
This information is scary, but CARE has made it a goal to teach students the facts and provide them with an outlet for help if an incident were to occur.
Not only does this department help educate new students in the hopes of preventing an assault or rape, but they also train students to be active bystanders so that they can intervene during a potentially bad situation. My Stand Mentors are trained to identify red flags and help students who have gone through a tough event.
“There have been a lot of success stories with My Stand Mentors,” said Alder.
These mentors have taken students home safely, stopped them from making a dangerous decision, and stood up for students when no one else would. Even if incoming freshman choose to ignore the “Red Zone” campaign, there are people on campus who are willing to save them from something unsafe.
“Red Zone” is not intended to instill fear in students, but rather educate them with the shocking facts of what does happen at colleges around the country. A sexual assault can happen to any student, even you, regardless of how safe you think you’re being. Instead of going all out in the first six weeks, prepare yourself, look out for friends and trust your intuition [adapted from “Red Zone” campaign].
Take a look at the campaign and use the tips the next time you go out! Always know that there is support available at UNCW, or any campus, that is confidential and created to help someone in your situation. You can break the statistic—practice the campaign.
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