Steve Thompson dreamed of playing professional football, but since the 1970s, he’s devoted his time educating audiences about sexual assault, harassment and stalking. Thompson, Sexual Aggression Services Coordinator at Central Michigan University, informed about 20 students of their responsibility concerning sexual violence Wednesday night in his “No Zebras” presentation, brought to the University by the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault. ”Each and every one of us has a role to play,” he said. “This isn’t just a woman’s issue.” The event focused on bystander mentality and addressed the impact of intervention on situations of sexual aggression. He stressed how sexual violence can no longer be ignored, and he told students to stand up and take action to keep others safe. Thompson said his “No Zebras” theme came from watching Animal Planet, using the zebra as a rallying point for bystander mentality. ”There was a herd of zebras, and a lion brought one of the zebras down,” he said. “I saw the other zebras watching their pal get eaten, swooshing their stupid zebra tails thinking ‘I’m glad that wasn’t me,'” If someone is not directly affected by sexual aggression, a person thinks it’s not their problem and not their business, he said. ”What if one zebra said to the others, ‘I’m getting tired of the lions chasing us. Why don’t we kick some lion ass?” Thompson said. “If we open our eyes to what’s going on, we can have profound effect.” Thompson addressed his top 10 points that need to be known to end bystander, showing how sexual aggression affects everyone, not just the victims. Sixty-two percent of college females will be sexually assaulted within their college career, he said. And 50 percent are targeted. ”Everyone knows someone who has been sexually assaulted, but they haven’t told you,” he said. “If someone is robbed, they are probably going to tell the police, dean, friends and roommates. They can vent and get support.” But Thompson said when a woman is sexual assaulted, she has far more taken from her than just money or a credit card. Thompson said prevention will only come from figuring out why sexual violence is happening. ”We’re putting blue lights on campus, and we have escort services that are directed at avoidance,” he said. “It’s more popular to do this then ask so many young men why they are acting out violently against women.”—-Contact Leslie Presnall at [email protected]