RebAlerts like the one students received on March 25 are not very uncommon, but there seems to be a disconnect between how we talk about sexual assault and what is actually true. College students are often at high risk for sexual assault but are uninformed about what to do when it actually happens, or what kind of resources there are on campus. Students deserve to know that they have options and they are not alone. As a student body, we should begin to find ways to bring awareness and education to those who need it most.

Isn't Ole Miss one of the safest schools in the SEC?

I had heard this myself. After a quick google search, I found that this common statistic only compiles robbery and arrest rates, not sexual assaults. More than 1 in 9 students said they experienced some form of nonconsensual sexual contact during their college years according to a national study by the American Association of Universities. At the University of Mississippi, that would mean more than 2,362 students. Unfortunately, many survivors never tell anyone about their assault because they fear no one will believe them or that it was somehow their fault.

What constitutes sexual assault?

Sexual assault is defined as sexual contact or behavior that occurs without consent. It can take the form of unwanted touching, grabbing, kissing, forced sexual acts, or even rape. Consent is a very simple idea that unless both people are giving permission or an enthusiastic “Yes!” then there is not consent. People who are unconscious or intoxicated cannot give consent.

What do I do if it happens to a friend?

The first step is to ensure safety, make sure that your friend is in a safe place and is not injured. Communicate with them without judgment and do not let them try to blame themselves for what happened to them. Let them decide if they want to go to the police to report what happened. If they decide not to go to the authorities, offer the support they need.

Can we prevent it?

Most girls grow up learning how to stay “safe” from sexual attacks: Always travel in groups, watch your drinks, and never ever walk home alone. Even with these safety measures, sexual assault happens to someone every 98 seconds according to RAINN.org. The most important way to prevent sexual assault is to be able to spot the warning signs and be an active bystander. If you see someone who looks like they are in trouble, ask them a question or remove them from the person who looks like they are causing trouble. Ask them where they got their shoes or if they want to go to the bathroom, even something small can get them away from someone with bad intentions.

Are there resources at Ole Miss?

Ole miss has many resources with different options for how sexual assault is handled. If you have questions or need to talk with someone at Ole miss you can contact the university’s Title IX coordinator, the Violence prevention coordinator, or the University Counseling Center. The university also offers medical services, including Sexual Assault Nurse Examinations (SANE exams), at the Student Health Center during business hours. These people can help you attempt to process and understand what has happened and will help show you your options, especially if a survivor knows their attacker and feels unsafe in a residence hall or class where they are present or nearby.

What can I do to spread awareness?

April is sexual assault awareness month, and the more light that can be shed on this issue the better. Thankfully, there are student organizations such as Rebels Against Sexual Assault (RASA), that help educate and inform Ole Miss students about resources on campus and steps they can take to prevent sexual assault. The most important way to speak out is to continue conversations about sexual assault and how we can change the culture around it. It is often seen as taboo which makes it harder to talk about, but instances such as March 25 can be used not to instill fear, but to educate and inform.