Six ways to stay safe

4/12/2010
By Macie Anderson
Staff Writer

Sexual assaults are acts of violence where sex is used as a weapon by the predator. A sexual assault occurs every two minutes in America. The University of Wisconsin - Superior offers many resources for students who want to learn how to protect themselves and students who have been victims of this traumatizing attack.

The Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse is a non-profiting organization located in Hawks Hall near the UWS campus. CASDA assists with many needs and helps people who have been victims of violence or sexual assaults. Lisa Kane is the Sexual Assault Program Coordinator and works with victims of sexual assault and child sexual abuse. Kane has some helpful tips to people who have just been sexually assaulted.

1.Get to a safe place
2.Contact police, family member, friend, community agencies and campus recourses.
3.Write down every detail of the assault. This can help with legal actions and your own healing process.

There are some ways in reducing a sexual assault according to Kane.

1.Never take a drink from a stranger. Be aware of your consumption.
2.Go with friends to a party and leave with a friend.
3.Be aware of your surroundings. Knowing where you are and who is around will help you find a way to escape if something does occur.
4.Don’t be alone with someone you distrust or don’t know.
5.Make sure your cell phone is on you at all times.
6.Trust your instincts if you feel unsafe in a location.

Kane wants to remind women that they are not to blame in any circumstances.

The university also offers R.A.D. (rape aggression defense) classes for women. The program is to teach women realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. The course begins with awareness, risk reduction, prevention and defense training. The defense class is taught by Officer Larry Martin who works for Campus Security. For more information on the classes or would like to report a crime contact campus safety at (715) 394-8247.

For more information on CASDA you can visit their website at www.casda.org or call them at (715) 392-3136. If you need immediate assistance call their hotline at 1800-649-2921