'Red Zone' initiative at Rider raises awareness of sexual assault risk

Students are most vulnerable to sexual assault during the first six weeks of college, according to a 2007 federally funded report on campus sexual assault. More than half of sexual assaults during college occur in August, September, October and November— a period of time experts call the "Red Zone."  “The beginning of the school year is a time when many students are adjusting to a new environment and trying to fit in with new people,” says Susan Stahley, Rider’s prevention education coordinator. "According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), college campuses can give you a sense of security — a feeling that everyone knows each other and watches out for one another. Freshmen experiencing increased independence combined with possible experimentation with drugs or alcohol and no close friends to watch out for them are often targeted by perpetrators who take advantage of this feeling of safety and security to commit acts of sexual violence."
To raise awareness about the time period’s increased risk of sexual assault and inform students about the resources provided by the University, Rider is participating in a Red Zone Awareness campaign. 
 
“All of us here at Rider can make our campus and community safer,” Susan Stahley says. “Watch out for each other and call people out when they make jokes about sexual assault or if they see negative actions, harassment or bullying. If you see something, say or do something.” 
 
The University prohibits all forms of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking as outlined in Rider’s Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy. Students are introduced to the policy beginning with new student orientation, where different high-risk situations and scenarios are also discussed. 
 
“Some people think that drinking alcohol, wearing certain clothing or agreeing to be alone with them indicates a willingness to have sex, but that is most certainly not the case,” Stahley says. “Be especially careful to communicate your limits and intentions clearly in such situations and to remember that an intoxicated person cannot give consent. It is also important to remember that the person at fault for the sexual assault is never the victim. It doesn't matter if you drank, what you wore or who you chose to spend time with, you are never asking to be assaulted.” 
 
Part of the goals of the Red Zone campaign is to remind students of the many resources available to them. Victims of sexual assault are encouraged to talk to someone about what happened so they can get the help and support they need and the University can respond appropriately. 
 
One result of awareness campaigns is that more people feel comfortable reporting and discussing their experiences related to sexual assault. Such an atmosphere can create the impression that sexual assault is on the rise, but that's not necessarily true, Stahley says. 
 
“The media often misinterprets numbers saying there is a rise in sexual assaults,” she says. “The rise in reported numbers means that individuals are more willing to come forward and report an incident — that they trust the process and believe the institution will assist them.”  
Rider’s Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy includes a wealth of information regarding the University’s response to reported incidents, where and to whom to report, confidential places to report, on and off campus resources available to students and employees, and practical risk reduction and bystander intervention tips. The policy is available on Rider’s website and in various offices on both campuses.  
 “I can’t emphasize it enough: Safety is everyone’s responsibility,” says Stahley. "No one has to do everything but everyone can do something.”