Incidents spark campus safety debate

In light of recent sexual assaults, SUU Public Safety co-sponsored the Center for Women and Families' semi-annual Crunch 'n Munch, a meeting used to promote awareness to discuss domestic violence, sexual assault risk reduction and awareness.

"We need to make this type of behavior as socially unacceptable as picking your nose," said Nicole Lee, a senior sociology major from Big Bear, Calif., who took a few moments at Wednesday's event to talk about assault on campus.

Jaleen Smith, a junior communication and political science double major from Bountiful, works at the Center for Women and Families.

"It is really sad that they are only discussing this because of the recent assaults," Smith said. "It should have been talked about more a long time ago."

Officer Mike Bleak of the Cedar City Police Department and Public Safety Chief Rick Brown were the primary speakers.

To begin, Brown laid out a quick overview of the recent incidents that have occurred on campus because of rumors and incorrect stories that were spread on campus through text messages and e-mails. He said people were taking pieces from each story and making new incidents that actually never happened.

During the lunch hour portion of the Crunch 'n Munch, Bleak was asked by a member of the audience if there was a clear definition of consent in those types of situations, and he said there wasn't. Bleak said he defines consent on a case-by-case basis.

Bleak also discussed statistics with the audience. About 91.4 percent of victims know their predators.

Bleak said here in Cedar City, the average amount of time that elapses between the assault and the time it is reported is three or four days to one week.

He said reports are frequently disclosed to another source first, such as a roommate, church leader or friend, before being reported to the proper authorities.

No matter how long an individual waits to report the incident, Bleak said he will take the report seriously, but he stresses the importance of reporting the assault immediately.

The campus emergency poles, the buddy system, knowing and picking your friends wisely and looking carefully at situations all were talked about at the Crunch 'n Munch in an effort to help reduce the risk of an assault.

Caitlyn Kennedy, a senior communication major from Merced, Calif., is also employed at the Center for Women and Families.

"Be aware of your surroundings," she said, "You don't need to live in fear."

A Personal Attack Alarm (PAAL) was brought to the meeting and shown as another safety precaution. This alarm can be checked out from the library for a week, and if a person feels threatened he or she can pull the pin and an alarm will sound to draw attention.

"It's good to make more noise and to fight more to draw attention," Kennedy said.

Another important issue Lee addressed during the meeting is that "this is not just a woman's issue."

The group, which was primarily female, discussed the importance of making sure men are educated on this issue as well because it affects them too.

Brown said Public Safety officials are trying and would like to educate men more. He said that during orientation this year, for the first time, they did a skit on sexual assault. He said he hopes to see more meetings to spread awareness.