Last week in the Court of North Carolina, I saw thousands of tiny red and white flags flickering in the wind, sending out a message that is hard to put into perspective.
A quarter of those flags represented a college student who had been sexually assaulted.
It is important to realize that it is never the victim’s fault for being sexually assaulted. With that sentiment in mind, here are ways to lessen the risk of you becoming a victim of sexual assault.
Knowing your rights may be a way to stay safe. Pepper spray and Mace are allowed on campus when used legally, as is a knife less than five inches in length, according to the Code of Student Conduct. But be wary when using these — the attacker may know how to use these better than you.
While all of these self-defense mechanisms and tactics are legal, it is of the utmost importance to not abuse them.
When dealing with a potential weapon, Tom Stafford, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said we must, “number 1, know how to use it so it does not create a problem. Number 2, use only when necessary.”
Also, learning a form of self defense can also help a person stop or slow down an attacker. N.C. State’s Women’s Center offers self-defense classes two to three times a year. State also offers physical education classes, such as self defense (PE 239) and beginning karate (PE 235).
Remembering what people learned in kindergarten is also important. Stafford suggests using the buddy system at night and said “if it doesn’t look right, then report it.”
Whenever I work late at the Technician office, I always have a walking buddy even when my car is across the street. Even though I’ve never seen anyone suspicious while walking to my car, I don’t want to be alone the first time that I do.
Both men and women must be careful while walking around campus late at night. We don’t live in a place called Perfect you see in Walgreens’ commercials. We live in world full of crime, but there are ways to try to prevent oneself from becoming a victim.
I don’t particularly want to see people carrying flame throwers and brass knuckles (which is very much so against school policy) around campus, but it is important to be aware of your environment and do what is within legal limits to prevent an attack.
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