Red Zone event addresses heightened risk of sexual assault

Zoraida Pastor/ Contributing Writer

During the first six weeks of the fall semester, students are more likely to purchase books, attend campus events and also get raped.

Various University departments will be hosting the Red Zone on Sept. 4, an event dedicated to educating students on the “Red Zone,” the six-week-period when students are at the highest risk of being sexually assaulted, according to Marianela Fajardo, clinical social worker at the University’s Counseling and Psychological Services, specifically Victim Services.

The Red Zone will host many different speakers.

University Police will be signing up students for a self-defense class, the Wellness Center, Counseling and Psychological Services and Victim Services will be educating students on drinking safely and responsibly, according to Fajardo.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, rape is defined as “the unlawful sexual activity and sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the will of a female or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent.”

Fajardo explained that one of the reasons as to why the risk of rape increases during this time period is because “students are in a new environment [and] it may be the first time they are away from home.”

The University’s Victim Advocacy Center is an on-campus resource available to victims of sexual assault, dating violence and stalking, among others.

Fajardo explained that the center provides “counseling, advocacy, medical care and [aid in] filing charges.” She also shared that to “receive services, students don’t have to report the crime.”

According to Fajardo, there is a higher risk of rape for freshmen.

“[We] host the event to raise awareness and to hopefully eliminate or reduce the risk of rape,” Fajardo said.

Red Zone will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Betty Chapman Plaza outside of the Graham Center.