Guest article: You’re not alone

You hear rumors going around campus – hushed whispers between friends – but you never think it could happen to you: sexual assault.

As unreal and unlikely it seems that sexual assault could directly strike you, it is more common than you may think. Women are most often raped between 16 and 24 years of age, more specifically, between the ages of 16 and 19, which includes most college freshman and sophomore students (http://www.nmcsap.org/statistics.html#a).

Although women are the primary victims of sexual assault, about 10 percent of victims are male. Of those males who are victimized, 71 percent are assaulted before age 18, while 16.6 percent are assaulted between the ages of 18-24 years of age (http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/male-sexual-assault).

In short, this means the vast majority of people on college campuses are in the epicenter of the age groups that most experience sexual assault.

College freshman and sophomores are found to be at greater risk than upperclassmen. This can be associated with older students living in campus dormitories, sorority/fraternity houses and, especially, alcohol use (90 percent of acquaintance-rape incidents involve alcohol, possibly due either to overconsumption or having a “date rape” drug slipped into your drink) (http://svpe.uoregon.edu/GetEducated/SexualAssaultMyths/TheRoleofAlcohol.aspx).

Going to that party on Friday night sounds like a good time — music, drinks, dancing, the works. Even though you don’t know the host of the party, since you’ve met some of the people and your friends will be there, you assume you’ll be safe.

In reality, around 80 percent of sexual assault victims know their assailant before an incident. This could be someone you met last weekend; a friend of a friend; that person you occasionally talk to in chem lab. The possibilities are endless, and sometimes you don’t realize you are in danger until you’re alone in a back room, with music blaring and it’s too late to scream for help.

Sexual assault is difficult to talk about. No one wants to admit it happened or almost happened to them — this may be out of fear, shame, or the victim’s feeling that no one will believe his or her story. More than 90 percent of sexual assaults on U.S. campuses remain unreported. This alarming statistic means that while sexual assault victims may believe they are alone in their experience, —-they will have more support than they think. If more victims came forward about their ordeal, whether anonymously or publically, more attention could be brought to the issues surrounding this topic.

The sooner a sexual assault is reported, the better. Crucial DNA evidence can be collected to aid in identifying the attacker. If you, or someone you know, is seeking assistance after experiencing a sexual assault, there are several ways to get help and report the attack. Immediately after an assault happens, the number one thing to do is call 911. While waiting for first responders, preserve evidence: This includes clothing, bedding and anything on your body, so do not bathe.

At Mt. Hood, the Public Safety office, located in AC2330, can assist in reporting assaults, preserving evidence and notifying students of counseling options available on campus. This help can be reached at 503-491-7432.

There are many other community resources, and one good nationally focused website about sexual assaults and resources is www.rainn.org.

To better reduce sexual assaults, of course, prevention is the key. Some of the best ways to lessen the likelihood of becoming a victim are:

– Don’t accept drinks from anyone, or leave your own drink unattended.

– If you are going to drink, know your limits.

– Leave games, parties and other events with your friends, and not with a person you just met.

– Use the buddy system — when walking at night to classrooms, to your car or back to the dorms, etc. MHCC’s Public Safety office offers a campus safe walk service: Just call 503-491-7310.

– Look inside your car before you get in.

– Don’t be alone.

– Most importantly, trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy about a person, situation or place, remove yourself from that environment.