Middle Way House is raising awareness in Bloomington of the "red zone" for sexual violence. It recently posted resources and tips on social media.
(Courtesy of Middle Way House)
Three Indiana University students have been arrested on rape charges this fall, but the university’s spike in sexual violence isn’t unique.
Sexual violence groups call the time between move-in and Thanksgiving break the “red zone.” It’s the time of year when college students are statistically more likely to experience sexual assault and sexual violence, said Middle Way House Communications and Outreach Coordinator Daisy Cuevas.
Freshman women are most vulnerable, Cuevas said, and more than 50 percent of college sexual assaults occur from August to November.
“Survivors of sexual assault or sexual violence are never to blame, regardless of the situation, regardless of whether drugs or alcohol are involved,” Cuevas said. “The responsibility for sexual violence lies solely with the person who acts without consent.”
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network reports 13 percent of all graduate and undergraduate students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.
In IU’sAnnual Security and Fire Safety Report, the Bloomington campus saw more instances of rape, fondling, stalking, dating violence and domestic violence than the year before. There were reports of 38 on-campus and five off-campus rapes.
Cuevas said more parties and social gatherings appear during the red zone than other times of the year. That can lead to more access to drugs and alcohol — substances commonly used by perpetrators in sexual assault cases. New students may be unfamiliar with campus or go through new social experiences.
“We also live in a society where there is a culture of victim-blaming and disbelief towards survivors, which might encourage perpetrators to follow through with their actions,” Cuevas said.
Cuevas has some advice for navigating the new school year.
Consent cannot be given by anybody incapacitated, she said. It should be affirmative, voluntary words or actions that all parties understand.
“Consent is the presence of a yes, rather than the absence of a no,” Cuevas said.
She said new students should take some time to get familiar with campus. She suggested first dates should be in public spaces or with a group. And people should never leave a drink unattended or take one from anyone other than a server. Cuevas said if students go to parties, they should always have a “buddy.”
Date-rape drugs have no smell or taste. If someone starts to feel dizzy or dazed, they should seek immediate help. Cuevas said it’s a good idea to save the phone numbers of campus police and campus health center in case of emergency.
“If you're attending parties, you should go and leave with your friends,” Cuevas said. “You should never leave a friend behind, and it's always good to have a plan to get home.”
Cuevas said parents can keep an eye on any strange or distant behavior..
“I would say, have a conversation with them just to make sure that everything is okay,” Cuevas said. “Survivors have a hard time like opening up or reliving their experience.”
Middle Way House has a 24/7 crisis care line at 812-336-0846. It also hason-scene advocates, Cuevas said, so they can meet survivors in hospitals, police stations and the Monroe County Clerk’s Office.
For Bloomington campus students, IU has a Sexual Assault Crisis Service team. The group offers crisis counseling, confidential advocacy, group counseling and referrals for examinations by a trained sexual assault nurse examiner. It can be reached 24/7 at 812-855-8900.
IU Public Safety Officer Hannah Skibba said more information and resources at IU can be found online.
Skibba said sexual assault can happen to anyone.Perpetrators are more likely to target people they know, though they can be strangers to the victim. And perpetrators may use social media to find potential victims. Personal information could be used to to harm or harrass victims.
"Look out for each other," Skibba said in an email. "If one of you cannot be with a group of trusted friends, tell each other where you are going, whom you will be with, when you expect to return, and that you’ll contact them if anything changes. If you see someone in trouble, intervene directly if it is safe for you to do so, or delegate by seeking help from those around you or by calling 911."
