by Kyra Brown, Red Zone Awareness Ambassador

Did you know that during the Fall semester, the rate of someone being sexually assaulted on campus skyrockets? This period is known as the Red Zone, and it is important to be aware of what this means if you are a college student. From the start of the fall semester until around Thanksgiving break, college students—particularly first-year women—are at a much higher risk of sexual assault. Most of these incidents occur during Halloween weekend. Freshmen are particularly vulnerable because they have been thrust into a new environment and may not know how to navigate out of bad situations. The Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault (LaFASA) helps those who have experienced trauma, and it is their mission to bring healing and stop sexual assault altogether.

Sexual assault on campus is not made up of random isolated incidents. Too many students believe that if it doesn’t affect them, then it is not a problem. This is far from the case. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 1 in 3 women has experienced some form of sexual assault. This is a drastic issue that cannot be ignored. College students must know that this issue impacts them, even if indirectly. No college is immune to campus-related sexual assault.

Sexual assault is a crime and everyone, man or woman, should be aware of the serious effects that it has on survivors. Survivors should know that there are resources available to help them navigate their journey in the aftermath. LaFASA’s website provides access to numbers that you can text and call to speak to someone about your experiences. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to someone over the phone, find someone you trust to confide in. It does not matter how you get help…you can take back control of your life when you choose to seek help.

In conclusion, sexual assault should not be discounted or taken lightly. It is a problem that affects a countless number of people every year, especially on college campuses. LaFASA works tirelessly to make sure that these numbers do not rise and victims get the help you can need. To contact LaFASA, visit the website https://www.lafasa.org or call 225-372-8995.