Sexual assault is an issue on any college campus, but at a college known for its socially conscious student body, awareness of it is especially crucial.In the 2004-2005 school year, there were 3 sexual offenses reported on campus. In the 2005-2006 school year, there were 8.

The main reason for this large increase in figures was the introduction of anonymous reporting, an online method of reporting instances where no identifying information is asked of the student. Anonymous reporting was introduced last year as an alternative to talking to an RA or reporting the incident straight to the health clinic. Though this new option has allowed many students to speak out that may have otherwise kept quiet, the number of instances is still too high.

“We need to educate and make the numbers go down, but I’m glad they’re honest and where they are,” said Aaron Fetrow, Dean for Campus Life. “It’s another way to raise awareness.”

Awareness is one way to lower statistics, but it can be difficult to achieve. There are a variety of programs on sexual awareness offered on campus, but attendance is generally poor.

“There are things we put out there, but people aren’t buying in,” said Security Coordinator Keifer Bradshaw. “I feel if students took heed, we could make a difference.”

Bradshaw has been offering a class all semester on a style of self-defense called RAD. The class began two years ago when a group of male students came to him asking if there were any self-defense groups on campus for females. Bradshaw researched the program, became a certified instructor, and began teaching.

“RAD builds confidence in the victim,” said Bradshaw. “That’s crucial.”

RAD is based on awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and avoidance, while teaching basics of self-defense. Bradshaw is the only person on Guilford’s campus certified to teach the system. Though he has been offering the course all semester, only one Guilford student has been showing up consistently.

“I’m kind of frustrated in the participation level,” said Bradshaw.

Lack of participation is a common thread among Guilford’s sexual awareness programs. After an incident is reported, if Public Safety feels there’s a threat to the community, they’ll post fliers informing the public. Campus statistics are also on public record and can be viewed via the Public Safety webpage anytime. However, prevention is more important than what is done after the fact, and that is where students’ attention falls short.

“Our students want to protect. They’re proponents for social change,” said Fetrow. “But then our students are as apathetic as the day is long. It makes no sense.”

The Men’s and Women’s Groups Against Sexual Assault are groups on campus that meet weekly to discuss issues and plan events to raise awareness. They put on programs such as “Let’s Talk About Sex And the City,” where students viewed an episode of the HBO show “Sex and the City” and discussed its prevalent themes.

“Something we’ve been struggling with all semester is how to make people who don’t normally come to these events show up,” said junior Danielle Perry.

Some feel that students’ lack of interest isn’t a reflection of apathy, but more of a denial of truths that are hard to hear.

“It’s like with any issue. People hear what they want to hear when they want to hear it,” said junior Liz Reilley.

“The misconception that Guilford is a safe space is the biggest problem,” said junior Ana Martinez. “People want to believe that their potential attacker is someone in a ski mask; someone they don’t know. It’s protective thinking.”

Nationwide, about 2/3 of reported rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. On campus, 5 of the 8 sexual assaults reported last year included attackers the victim knew. Prevention does not just mean preventing outside attacks, but knowing how to prevent possible assaults by friends.

“To still think about the statistics that exist that a good friend could do that to me. it’s scary,” said Martinez.

The next event the Men’s and Women’s Groups Against Sexual Assault have planned is a take back the night style speak-out at 10 PM on Thursday, November 30th, in front of Founder’s Hall.

“The idea is that people can speak out about the issue,” said junior Katie Yow. “People can speak as they feel moved in a supportive environment.”

Sexual assault is an issue that students must deal with as soon as they arrive. This year, all first-years were required to take an alcohol awareness class, which taught them about the possible risks of alcohol related sexual assault.

Campus Life, Public Safety, and the Sexual Assault Groups can do their best to raise awareness and teach prevention, but processing and making full use of information ultimately comes down to the individual students.

“It’s one thing to sort of put stuff out there in peoples’ minds, but it’s another thing to say ‘Okay, how are you going to apply this in your life?'” Said Area Coordinator and Residence Life Program Manager Sandy Bowles.

“Mindfulness is the first step to prevention, and awareness is part of that,” said Yow. “It’s important that people don’t just know that sexual assault happens, but that they can do something about it – that’s the best step.