Rape Prevention Month wraps up this week

With national Rape Prevention Month drawing to a close the Sexual Assault Prevention Awareness Center hopes its last week of planned activities will further educate the community about the issues of sexual assault and rape.

"We hope to be used as a support system." said LaTresa Wiley, crisis line coordinator and SAPAC counselor.

Activities planned for this week include a benefit concert, the counseling program "Friends and Family Helping to Heal" and "Take Back the Night," a rally and march to protest violence against women.

Last year, 5 rapes and 7 forcible fondlings were reported to the Department of Public Safety.

SAPAC hopes to use the final week of Rape Prevention Month to help eliminate misconceptions people have about rape.

"Society puts the thought (in people's minds) that the victim could have done something different." Wiley said. "Let's get away from placing blame on victims of assault and (start) placing it on the perpetrator."

Along with this delusion is the misconception that rape only happens to certain people, said SAPAC Director Virginia Chitanda.

"Many people feel that it can't happen to me," Chitanda said.

Chitanda added that many people feel they do not look like a target and can identify anyone that will attack them. But most rapes are committed by acquaintances of the victi, not strangers.

SAPAC has peer-education programs, a 24-hour crisis line and trained counselors to help victims of sexual assault.

"Every single case is different, so we work with women on an individual basis." Chitanda said. "We give them back control and facilitate what they want to achieve so they continue to be who they are."

Nursing first-year student Emily Mulla said SAPAC and this week's activities will be useful considering the number of reported sexual assaults on campus.

Mulla says that she was a little naive when she first arrived on campus, but after sexual assaults occurred outside her residence hall she is a lot more careful.

"In the beginning of the year, I felt safe, but now I don't even walk alone past 10 p.m.," Mulla said.

In order to prevent sexual assault, DPS Captain Terry Seames said "students should not walk alone," and instead should "walk in pairs and (walk) in well-lit areas."

SAPAC's benefit concert featuring Lisa Hunter and Plaidipus is scheduled for tonight at 8 p.m. at the Union in the U-Club. For more information call 763-5865.

04-13-98