As the new college year begins, students look forward to a time of discovery, adventure and growth. For students heading to college for the first time, it is the beginning of becoming independent from their families and having the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.
However, the beginning of college is also the beginning of what is known as the “red zone.”
The “red zone” refers to the increase of sexual assaults on campus during a freshman’s first six weeks of school. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), more than 50 percent of sexual assaults in college occur from the months of August through November. RAINN has also reported that students are at an increased risk during the first few months of their first and second semesters.
Theories have arisen concerning what causes the “red zone.” According to a study done by the University of Michigan, this time period overlaps with back-to-school parties, where general safety party measures, such as keeping a drink close or staying with friends, are not known, making freshman more vulnerable to sexual assault.
In the push to end sexual assault on campus, the federal government implemented the “Dear Colleague” letter that stated, if the school is aware that sexual violence has occured, they must take immediate action to “eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence and address its effects.” Schools were also recommended to take proactive measures to prevent sexual violence, such as education programs that address what constitutes sexual violence and the consequences of committing sexual violence as per the school’s policy.
While colleges are responding to the issue of the “red zone” and preventing further sexual violence on campus, many sexual assault prevention experts feel the traditional approach of addressing sexual violence during freshman orientations are less likely to work.
Activists feel that programs that address the issue of sexual violence focus more on how students can stay safe from sexual assault, putting the responsibility on the victim, rather than address the issue of what is clear, enthusiastic consent. Until there is a significant shift in placing the responsibility on the perpetrators instead of the victim, there will not be a change in decreasing sexual assault on college campuses.
As a survivor of sexual violence from the age of fifteen up until now, I have seen the impact of placing responsibility on the victim only. We are told it is our fault because of what we wear, how much we drink or that it is not sexual violence if we are in a relationship. That we were not “careful” enough. That it is okay because they say they love you. That speaking out will only be met with backlash and shame. What colleges can do now to prevent sexual violence is create an environment where students can discuss what is clear consent and teach that sexual violence is never the victim’s fault. Students can intervene if they see someone in a dangerous situation and help them get to safety. If someone has been assaulted, the school must take immediate action to ensure this does not happen again, whether through a Title IX investigation or recommendation to go to the law, and provide counseling for the victim.
We have progressed farther into openly discussing sexual violence, but there is still more work to be done. Colleges are homes to future generations who will impact culture, and providing a place where sexual violence and consent is openly discussed is the first step for students to shift from victim blaming to placing responsibility on the perpetrator only, and therefore decreasing sexual assault on campus.
