By Maddie Amos, Director of Grants and Partnerships
The Red Zone describes the first few months of the Fall Semester when students are going to or returning to college.
Here are some responses from members of the Fear 2 Freedom community reflecting on these statistics.
What can parents do?
Have open conversations with your children. Here are some great starting points from NSVRC:
“I want you to have fun in college, but I also want you to be safe and respect others.”
“Sexual violence is going to be a topic that you encounter in college, whether it be in a class you take or a training, and you’re going to have friends and peers who are survivors, whether they share that with you or not.”
“You know the #MeToo movement? A lot of folks are beginning to listen to survivors and are starting to understand how prevalent sexual violence is. I’d like to talk to you about how this may show up during your time at college.”
Teach your children about consent and healthy boundaries. Here are some pieces inspired by NSVRC’s website:
“Consent is critical! Be awesome and check in with your partner(s) to make sure everyone is comfortable and happy.”
“Only an enthusiastic ‘Yes!’ means consent. Staying silent, freezing, and turning away are all signs that you need to stop and check in with your partner(s).
“You deserve to be with someone who respects you. You should feel safe in your relationship and ensure your partner feels safe, too.”
“When you do start a new romantic relationship, make sure you and your partner are on the same page, especially once things get sexual. Ask what the other person’s into, what they’re looking for, and what they don’t want. These open conversations will help everyone feel more comfortable.”
Research what your child’s school does to prevent sexual assault. Here is a list PCAR shares as good questions to ask the administration:
The Clery Act is a federal law that was passed in 1990. The Clery Act requires universities and colleges that receive federal financial aid to disclose information about crime on and around the campus, including incidents of sexual assault. You can research your child’s school’s Clery stats by searching “[school name] + clery.” The report is typically entitled the “Annual Safety and Security Report.”
Keep in mind that most students do not disclose sexual assault, so these numbers are generally low. However, consistent reports of “0” sexual assaults should raise questions about the campus climate.
You can get in contact with your child’s Campus Police, Student Affairs, and Residence Life to learn about resources for sexual assault prevention and support.
Familiarize yourself with the school’s Title IX process. This varies from campus to campus.
Research local and on-campus resources that your child’s school provides. Here is a list of a few PCAR shares:
Use RAINN’s Find Help Near You tool to find local resources.
Contact the on-campus counseling center to find out what resources are available.
Most importantly, start open and honest conversations with your student(s). Give them a safe space to speak open and honestly with you. Try your best to make them comfortable talking to you so if something does happen, they know they can come to you.