*Trigger Warning: this article contains topics of sexual assault*
With the upcoming sixth week of the semester, campus life is in full swing. The bars are being raided again and that one lecture is looking more optional than ever. But while harmless tomfoolery is a wonderful UW experience, it’s also equally as important to stay safe. As a freshman, the first semester of college can be exciting. New faces, new places and plenty of unsupervised alcohol consumption. This combination of variables creates what is often referred to as The Red Zone.
As defined by the #MeToo movement, The Red Zone is the time between fall semester kickoff through Thanksgiving where over half of college sexual assaults occur. Sexual assault is far too common on campus, according to a 2016 Campus Climate Survey 27.6% of people who identify as women have been sexually assaulted during their time at UW.
Thankfully, knowledge is power, and Sex Out Loud is here with quick tips to stay safe and resources for survivors. At SOL, consent is a foundational belief.
To help keep yourself safe this semester, it is important to have at least a basic understanding of sexual gos and no-gos. These boundaries can be fluid and evolve over time, but clearly knowing where you stand can help enforce limits with partners.
Communication is key, so SOL recommends using the stop-light method. During sex, one might assume that a green “go” light is on until someone says no. Instead, the automatic assumption should be a red light until given an enthusiastic green. With this method, there is continuous communication throughout sex, which can help prevent cases of sexual assault.
If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault and are in need of help, there are resources available:
- The Dane County Rape Crisis Center (RCC): An advocacy group “for those harmed by sexual violence by centering survivors, promoting societal change, and committing to be an evolving force for social equity.”
- UHS Victim Advocacy & Survivor Services: A confidential option offering counseling, medical help and support groups.
- UW Rape Crisis Center- 24HR crisis line: (608) 251-7273
- Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment (PAVE): 333. E Campus Mall – Suite #3137
Editors note: The Hump Day column is a collaboration with Sex Out Loud, an organization that promotes healthy sexuality through sex-positive education and activism.
