As a junior in college, Sarah* was well-known around campus as a responsible student with a solid group of friends. Every weekend, and even on some weeknights, she’d stop by the off-campus house of a group of guy friends to hang out. She trusted the guys and considered them all friends, so there was never a reason for Sarah to think anything bad could ever happen to her at one of their parties.

But it did. Whether her judgment was clouded by a few drinks or the comfort of trusted company, Sarah let her guard down, and one of her “friends” took advantage.

Just like that, Sarah became a statistic and the victim of sexual assault. She wasn’t walking alone down a dark street. Most girls aren’t. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), approximately two-thirds of assaults are committed by someone the victim knows.

Sarah is not the exception, she is the rule. And she could be you.

RAINN’s website lists alarming facts about sexual assault. Every two minutes, an American is sexually assaulted, and 80 percent of those victims are younger than 30. A government report released in June showed that sex crimes on college and university campuses have doubled in the last decade despite a reduction in overall crime. And those are just reported cases; there are many women, like Sarah, who don’t report assaults. RAINN approximates that about 60 percent of sexual assaults go unreported, making it one of the most under-reported crimes in the country.

Sexual assault has taken center stage in recent months, thanks to the White House’s April release of guidelines designed to help colleges prevent incidents on campus. No doubt feeling the pressure, officials are scrambling to develop measures that prevent sexual assault on their individual campuses; there was even a weeklong summit focused on combating the crime at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire over the summer. But until action is taken to change the culture on campuses, women (and men, as sexual assault affects both genders, albeit females more often) must use precautions while exploring the social scene.

Here are some tips to stay safe on campus this year:

• Many sexual assaults experienced by college students occur in situations involving alcohol, as it did in Sarah’s case. Underage drinking at college parties is another dangerous epidemic. If you are of legal drinking age, know your limits and how many drinks it takes for you to get a buzz. Always keep your drink covered with your hand, refill it yourself, never accept a drink from another person and never leave your drink unattended. As cool as it may seem, don’t ever drink to get drunk. And always make sure you eat before heading out for the night; drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea.
• When attending parties on or off campus, always travel in packs. Plan to attend and leave with a group of friends. Don’t hang out at strangers’ houses or at parties where you don’t know anyone. Pick a meeting place if you get separated and have a backup plan in case of an emergency. It is highly recommended that you designate someone in the group to drink less (or not at all) to ensure everyone gets home safely.
• Always makes sure your phone is readily accessible and you have the numbers of a cab company, city police and campus police programmed in your cell phone.
• In Massachusetts, individuals need a Firearms Identification Card (FID) to buy and carry pepper spray. These cards can be obtained by filling out the appropriate paperwork at your local police station. Self-defense is the only acceptable use for pepper spray, so use it in emergency situations only. If you can’t get an FID card, purchase a keychain alarm, which emits a sharp scream that can be heard from blocks away. In a pinch, walk with your keys in your hands; they can give you an edge in defense if needed.

Many college campuses offer programs to educate students about safety. For example, Clark University offers Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) training (visit rad-systems.com for trainers near you) along with the Clark Anti-Violence Education (CAVE) program (clarku.edu/cave). Check with your campus safety office to find out if your institution offers similar programs and get involved.

If you have been a victim of sexual assault and heed help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE or visit rapecrisiscenter.org

*Name has been changed to protect her privacy.

By Kimberly Dunbar