There is someone in the U.S. sexually assaulted every 2 minutes. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month around the country. Both dating and domestic violence is included as well. The slogan from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is “Respect Works!”
“We want to promote the theme, ‘Campaign against Sexual Violence’ to our students and our campus community… A majority of our students are at very high risk of being victimized, partly because of age and the places they go. We want our students to know there is awareness on campus,” Campus Safety Chief Randy Melton said.
Sexual Assault is one of the most unreported crimes and isn’t always committed by strangers. Several Agencies in the Tyler area have teamed up in the prevention of sexual assault. SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) is at the East Texas Crisis Center.
“It is a multidisciplinary team,” said Campus Safety Officer Peggy Scott.
The team is in addition to law enforcement and has members from Child Protective Services, the District Attorney’s office, local school districts and nursing staff from both East Texas Medical Center and Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals. SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) are nurses who volunteer and are specially trained in proper collection of valuable evidence for prosecution in court cases. Also, the nurses help with the emotional needs of the assault victim.
“It’s something that’s out there that’s why we and law enforcement and these agencies are trying to educate and prevent [women] from being a victim of a crime,” said Chief Melton.
The TJC Jeanne Clery Awareness and Security Report reads that:
“If an assault occurs off-campus, call the local [police] as soon as possible. If the assault occurs on campus, contact Campus Safety as soon as possible. If an assault occurs, don’t change clothes or bathe. All physical evidence, including seminal fluids, hair, blood types, and scrapings of flesh from the victim’s nails may be used in court. ?After reporting a sexual assault, a victim has the option for, and may request assistance in, changing academic or employment situations. A student victim may request assistance from Campus Safety, the Student Discipline Committee, and Residential Life. If the victim is a faculty or staff member, assistance may be obtained from Campus Safety and the Director, Human Resources, and the appropriate supervisor. Accommodations will be made only if so requested by the victim, and only if such changes are reasonably available. Counseling and referral information for survivors of sexual assault is available on campus through the Counseling Center and off-campus through the East Texas Crisis Center.”
A local gym will be holding a Rape Prevention Seminar for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The seminar will cover rape statistics and what to do in case of an attack. Ranging from non-aggressive verbal, aggressive verbal, non-aggressive physical, aggressive physical, different combative and defense mechanisms in real-life scenarios.
It is based on the self-defense system, Krav Maga. People of all ages and sizes can participate in this event.
“It’s important, everybody should know how to defend themselves and being the fact the way the economy is and there is more domestic violence going on now than in a good economy, it needs to be addressed. People need to understand that fighting back works and that it is worth fighting for your life instead of laying back and being a victim,” said Nathan Lundstrom, instructor of East Texas Krav Maga.
“It’s simple and effective,” Lundstrom said.
The seminar will be held at KH Fitness located on 117 Shelley Drive on April 18, from 10:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m. The cost of the seminar is $25 per person. Students who provide I.D at the time of the seminar will receive a 10 percent discount. For more information, visit http://www.EastTxKravMaga.com.
If anyone has any questions on crime prevention or personal safety awareness, contact Campus Safety at 903-510-2222.
