The “Red Zone” is a term that refers to the first six weeks on a college campus in which sexual assaults are most likely to occur. At UC Davis, a group of students have started a Red Zone campaign. You may have seen their recent display at the Memorial Union. The campaign is in its second year and helps raise awareness of the issues related to sexual assault. For instance, it offers bystander intervention training and resources for prevention efforts and helping survivors. The campaign strives to help students think about what it really means to be an ally.
In an interview with Her Campus at UCD, Red Zone campaign member and 3rd year UC Davis student Georgia Savage talked about the start, purposes, and accomplishments of this campus wide campaign.
In her words: “Our purpose is to raise awareness about this issue and to raise awareness about resources on campus for survivors of assault and generate prevention efforts. In addition to bystander intervention training and UC Davis resources, we also explain the differences between confidential resources and mandated reporters. As part of our campaign, we have been asking students what it means to be an ally, in support of sexual assault survivors and sexual assault prevention. Many people have told us that they don’t know what to write. This is concerning as sexual assault is unfortunately so common and such a prevalent problem on college campuses.”
Savage continues by saying that the Red Zone Campaign “wants to start a conversation among the students of UC Davis regarding this issue” of campus sexual assault.
The Red Zone originated “as members of the CCRT (Campus Climate Response Team) Student Sub-Committee. We attempt to include all groups on the UC Davis campus who are working on issues pertaining to sexual violence and assault and provide a space for each group to collaborate and provide support to one another. A member of the UC Office of the President (UCOP) work group created the sub-committee last year. In the office of the president, representatives from all UCs give advice about reform and campus outreach.”
The campaign strives to get students and clubs involved, not just faculty and on-campus support. Sexual Assault prevention and support for victims is everyone’s responsibility. On discussing the on campus presence during the first weeks of school, Savage explained that “[she] wanted to campaign during the first Red Zone. We had the capacity to host outreach that was informative and occurred at the right time of year for incoming students and other students on campus who may be unaware of the resources that we have.”
Campus and community resources include the Women’s Resources and Research Center (WRRC), counselors at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Center for Advocacy Resources and Education office (CARE), LGBTQIA Resource Center, mandated reporters, and many others.
Detailed Information about these resources can be found at http://sexualviolence.ucdavis.edu/The Red Zone Campaign is still occurring. For more information about the Red Zone Campaign, please like their Facebook page.