TIGER TV ONLINE REPORTER
BATON ROUGE, La.—Put your drinks down, ladies.
A recent alcohol and drug survey conducted on the LSU campus in spring of 2009 by the Southern Illinois University’s Core Institute revealed that 10.7 % of women are sexually assaulted while using drugs or alcohol.
Only 2.6% of men admitted to taking advantage of someone who was drunk or high.
“Sexual assault is the most under reported crime,” Kathy Saichuk, the Wellness Education Coordinator, said. “And one thing that truly compromises safety is alcohol.”
Women worry they may have given consent and do not remember or do not want others to know what happened, she said.
But simple precautions can help women protect themselves at bars.
“Watch out for friends going to local drinking establishments,” Saichuk said. “Stay with your group of friends and don’t leave with people you don’t know.”
But bars aren’t the places crime happens.
The University is very public and someone sitting in class may not be a student, Saichuk said.
“The first six to eight weeks of the semester are the most dangerous,” she said.
Incoming students who are more “trusting” can be vulnerable to perpetrators, she said.
Kieu Truog, biology freshman, says she carries pepper spray.
“I’ve never used it, but I would if I had to,” she said.
Other students like Marlene Dinh, chemistry freshman, feel safe on campus.
“I take morning classes and there’s a lot of people around,” she said.
Most crimes occur between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Saichuk said.
Something as simple as running back to a vehicle to get something can be dangerous.
“Someone can be out there and it can be for theft purposes or more violent acts,” she said.
Saichuk recommends using campus transit to stay safe, especially if students need to get back to their resident halls or vehicles at night.
“They can meet you at your car and take you to the door of your res hall,” she said.
Campus transit runs until 3 a.m. Their number is 225-892-1155.
Other ways to stay safe include traveling in groups and letting a friend know personal whereabouts.
Also, Rape Aggression Defense Systems classes begin September 25. call 225-578-5718 to enroll. The fee is $25 for students and faculty and $45 for the general public.
To see the full report, click here.
