As a second-year college student sexual assault is something that I am very aware of, not

because I have been a victim myself, but because I receive at least one email from the OUPD

almost every weekend about a new sexual assault here on campus. Whether its a person walking

alone at night, an attack at a party, or even in their own dorm rooms, sexual assault is something

that happens all too frequently, with little to no justification for the victims. Many sexual assaults

dont even get reported, and when they do many of the perpetrators are not punished accordingly

because assault is not always easy to prove. What we need to work on is furthering our

awareness, bystander intervention, and prevention.

When you become a student at Ohio University youre required to take an alcohol

education class, as well as a sexual harassment class. These required classes should be

implemented on all campuses, not just some, to increase awareness of sexual assault, as well as

what to do before you go out and while youre out if youre put in/see an uncomfortable

situation.

Many colleges spread awareness by doing Fuck Rape Culture marches, holding survivor

advocacy programs and support groups such as A Mile Together (more popularly known as Walk

A Mile In Her Shoes), and by doing informational videos and programs. Those of us as Ohio

University also receive emails from our police department when an assault occurs. These allow

people of all races, genders, and sexes to spread the word about assault, as well as creating safe

spaces to confide in, and giving power to those who survive.

When it comes to bystander intervention, A Mile Together is a program that teaches

people ways to diffuse a power-based violence situation that they may come across in any

setting. They taught three main things: Delegate, Direct, and Distract. If you dont feel okay

saying something in a situation youre uncomfortable in, you can delegate the situation to
someone better suited, such as a police officer or a more outspoken friend. Being direct in a

situation involves putting yourself directly into the situation and either asking if the person is

okay, or telling the potential perpetrator that you dont feel comfortable with the situation being

presented. The last method, distract, also involves intervening directly with the situation, but

instead of saying something about your discomfort with what is going on, attract attention

elsewhere. When using this tactic, you can pretend to know the potential victim and begin talking

with them to scare off the perpetrator, or spill a spiked drink as though it is an accident. Another

way this would work is to strike up a conversation with either person in the situation as though

you are oblivious to the uncomfortable situation.

When it comes to prevention, there are several measures that can be taken to keep

yourself safe, no matter your sexual identity. On the surface, little steps can be taken. Never walk

alone, especially at night, and if you find yourself doing so anyway, always be sure to keep your

cell phone charged and on you. If, for some reason, your phone is dead, pretend to be talking on

it anyway to avoid being considered approachable by others. You can also buy pepper spray or

a multipurpose tool (for any situation!) to void off threats, as well as to protect yourself if the

need arises. If you are walking alone but your phone is charged, have your emergency numbers

pulled up, or talk on the phone to someone you trust. Before you go out, be sure to have a plan

for the night in mind: set limits on your alcohol consumption (you can keep track on your

phone); have a buddy for the night and keep track of each other; know at least two people at any

party or social gathering that you attend; never leave your drink unattended, and if you do, do not

pick it back up after walking away. Other things that you should think about during your night

include being aware of anything people are passing around: dont eat, drink, or ingest anything

someone that you dont know hands you. It doesnt matter if youre a seasoned drinker or a
practiced smoker, you never know what youre taking if you didnt get it from a trusted source.

You can never be too cautious! You are more likely to be sexually assaulted by someone you

know rather than a stranger. Consent is an important measure to get as well. Consent cannot be

granted if one or more participants are intoxicated.

Prevention on a larger scale comes in multiple forms, such as clothing, technologies, and

accessories! There is a nail polish created by Undercover Colors that tells if your drink has been

spiked because when you dip a finger into the beverage, spiked drinks will change the color of

your nail polish. There are also test strips and coasters that do the same thing, and this costs a

dollar for two tests. A personal drink identifier is another of this type, and its reusable! It takes a

sample of the drink to determine if there are foreign substances within. Another invention created

to help end sexual assault comes in the form of an app for smartphones, called Circle of 6 (you

can also create a group message for a similar effect) which allows for messages to be sent to a set

group of people or local authorities if youre in a situation that becomes too intense or heated.

Guard My Angel is another app that lets your emergency contacts know where you are via GPS

coordinates, and records your last known location if you become immobilized for too long, thus

allowing for a location to begin tracing.

Clothing and jewelry have also been used to prevent assault, such as the pendent created

by the company Stiletto that can be worn as a bracelet or a necklace that you can double click in

an unsafe environment. The clicking sends an alert to your emergency contacts and can include a

message with a photo, instructions on who further to call, and insurance information, while also

sending a GPS location and dialing 911. Anti-rape undergarments are also available now! These

are boy-cut style underpants that have three cut resistant bands (one around the waist, one around

each leg), and a lock on the waist that must be undone with two hands. This prevents an attacker
from restraining you with one hand and attacking with the other. These underpants also have an

impenetrable covering over the genital area. Another type of anti-assault device comes in the

form of a barbed condom, which a female can place inside the vagina that will clamp down on

anything that penetrates the area.

When it comes to sexual assault, there is nothing to joke about. According to the National

Sexual Violence Resource Center, roughly 1 in 5 women, and 1 in 16 men are victims of sexual

assault, just while theyre in college! The reporting rate for rape runs a little over 40%, with 63%

not being reported at all, and when it comes to sexual child abuse, only 12% is reported.

Campuses around the country are talking and making changes. People are standing up and

having their voices heard, both survivors and advocates! Change is coming, and we need to stand

up, spread the word and teach strategies! We need to be the ones to fight for our sisters, our

brothers, and our friends, family and children. To create the change that we wish to see! We can

intervene in many ways, we can change the course. If we work together, we can be the

difference.