Short skirts, high heels, low-cut blouses: bad situations have the potential to arise regardless of whether an individual is in sweatpants or a revealing outfit. Reported sexual assaults on campus may be small in number, but many may go unreported.
Lieutenant Emily Simerly, Administrative Affairs and Public Informations Officer for the University of Tennessee Police Department, alluded to the frequency of sexual assaults on or near campus.
“Sexual assaults are one of the most unreported crimes in the United States,” Simerly said. “Studies vary, but statistically one in four women may become a victim/survivor of sexual assault in her lifetime. Additionally, the highest (rates) of reported incidents are among college-aged individuals.”
Between 2007 and 2009, there were six counts of reported forcible sex on campus alone, according to the UTPD Security Handbook with Statistics. The statistics available only show reported instances on university owned or controlled property, meaning Fort Sanders is not included in these statistics.
Shelby Herron, senior in psychology, suggested that every student should be prepared for the worst.
“I’ve heard people on my way to class talking about what happened on the weekends,” said Herron. “It’s best to always be on the defensive and watch your drink.”
Students still need to take precautionary methods to prevent dangerous situations and learn how to define sexual assault.
“Reported sexual assault numbers on the UT Campus are very low,” says Simerly. “However, given what we know about sexual assault reporting, actual incidents of sexual assault are much higher.”
Students should not fear potential social situations, but strength in numbers helps prevent sexual assaults.
“Always carry mace around and don’t walk around by yourself at night,” said Herron. “At least with one other person, you’re less likely to be attacked.”
The UTPD records confirm Herron’s advice, as all of the reported sexual assaults involved only one victim.
“In the 18 years I have worked at UTPD, all reported incidents involved a sole victim,” said Simerly. “Many times this individual had been to a party with a group of friends but at some point was left alone and a sexual assault occurred.”
Students can take other precautionary methods to prevent possible negative situations from arising. For example, Simerly also encouraged students to keep an eye on the drinks when out on the town. A study published on Sciencedaily.com in 2009 stated that more than 20 percent of sexual assaults were aided by drugs.
Many victims are slipped date rape drugs such as ketamine and rohypnol. Drug-facilitated sexual assaults result from “roofies” being slipped in a drink, which can result in memory loss, nausea and other negative side effects.
The problem with proving drug-facilitated sexual assaults is that these drugs spend very little time in the victim’s system after being ingested.
Whether at a frat house, bar or apartment, always be on the defensive to prevent possible assaults.
Report any and all sexual assault immediately and seek medical attention. Sexual assault is a crime of knowingly causing another person to engage in an unwanted sexual act by force or threat and without consent. Contact UTPD at (854) 974-3111 as soon as possible if you are a victim or suspect a crime is being committed.
