Every so often campuses around the country bring extra awareness to their students about sexual assault.

Involvement with professional speakers, volunteers from health centers, and also police all aide in the raised attentiveness of both male and female students. It is the periods of time between these awareness weeks that students must remember to keep alert.

Though rape and sexual assault have not been recurring problems on our campus, they do exist. Times when assaults are least expected are when they usually occur, so it is wise to constantly be on guard. Sexual assault can sometimes be avoided by following a few precautionary steps. Professionals have warned women about walking alone, especially late at night and in less populated areas.

It is best to go with friends, not only for company, but safety as well. Women have been advised, as well, that they are more vulnerable while wearing clothing that is easy to grab, loose hair that can be yanked, and while talking on their cell phones. Though many precautionary steps may seem to be common sense, individuals frequently forget to be cautious enough to pay attention to their safety.

Always making sure friends are safe before leaving a bar or restaurant is one of the most important precautions a person can take.

If a friend may not be paying attention to her safety, it is necessary that she has someone looking out for her. Minor lapses in judgment may result in regrettable experiences that could have been prevented with only a bit more awareness of safety.

By increasing awareness in every day activities, women may significantly lower their chances of rape or assault. Assaults that occur on campus or near campus have should be reported and the citim seek help both on and off campus.

One such resource is the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault. The professionals at this help source can be reached at: http://www.ccasa.org Crisis and awareness centers offer support to those who have been victims, as well as people who seek more information about the risk of assault in their area. Participation in martial arts has been suggested as a positive way for women interested in self-defense education.

Activities such as this have shown beneficial effects on women by increasing their awareness, as well as their confidence. In terms of health and safety around campus, please remember to pay close attention to situational inconsistencies that may seem suspicious.

Do not ignore a strange situation, find a way to get yourself out of trouble, and do not hesitate to use the services such as Safe Ride or Campus Safety or the emergency telephones around campus.

These security telephones are that are always available in an emergency to contact the police near the university.

Remember that assaults do occur more frequently than many of us know. Instead of thinking that it will never happen to you, please be prepared and educated about ways of avoiding and surviving assaults incase they ever do occur.