Campus News - Spartan Daily

April 13, 2005

Center holds 'Sexual Assault Awareness Month'
By Erin Caballero
Daily Staff Writer
April 13, 2005

Every two and a half minutes in America, a person is sexually assaulted, according to the Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN). To raise awareness, the San Jose State University Women's Resource Center will present "Sexual Assault Awareness Month."

Santa Clara County District Attorney Rolanda Pierre-Dixon will hold a talk titled "Domestic Violence: What You Need to Know," from noon to 1 p.m. today in the Costanoan room of the Student Union. Pierre-Dixon will discuss her experience as a district attorney, along with the signs of an abusive relationship.

According to the University Police Department's Web site, men and women can do many things to prevent being sexually assaulted. Individuals should walk in well-lit areas, be aware of their surroundings, look around their vehicles and in the back seats before getting in and keep an eye on drinks, whether a gin and tonic or a Diet Sprite.

The UPD recommends carrying a noise-making device and taking self-defense classes. Setting limits and being prepared to defend yourself by all means necessary are essential to prevent the vast majority of attacks.

To further assist SJSU students from being sexually assaulted, SJSU and Rape Aggression Defense Systems are coming together to host "Rape Aggression Defense training," a self-defense class for women only. It is a 12-hour course held every weekend - Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon - on a per-request basis or every semester. Students must be at least 13 years of age, and parental consent is required if the student is underage. The class costs $5 for SJSU students and $10 for nonstudents; to pay for the class, potential students can go to the Associated Students House.
" We teach them to give them more options - every situation is different," said Administrative Sgt. Jenny Pak.
The first four hours of the class are a series of lectures that cover the basic concepts of self-defense. The next six hours of the class are the physical application of what was learned previously. Students learn basic kicks, punches and blocking moves to thwart a potential rapist and escape.

Also, students learn other skills, such as escaping manual strangulation or how to deal with an armed suspect. Since there is no "pass-or-fail" test to deal with, students spend the last two hours reviewing skills and testing their newly acquired skills. To prevent bodily injury, the instructor will wear a thickly padded suit, much like what dog trainers and bomb experts wear.

Victim of a sexual assaults shouldn't shower or change clothing, as this can damage possible physical evidence that can be used to press charges. To report sexual assault, victims are advised to call campus police at 924-2222 or call 911.

" Overall, I feel that the campus is a safe place to be, even at night when it's dark, because there are usually other people around at the same time," said Debbie Webb, a sophomore majoring in nursing. "If something should happen, we do have the blue police lights," she said.