Students, faculty and staff received an email Friday warning of the dangers of sexual assault and the risks associated with alcohol use on campus.
Valerie Russo, assistant Dean of Students for Training and Resources, said the purpose of the email was to raise awareness about the risks on campus.
“Certainly this is a time of year when we want students to have a sense of what we’ve been seeing on campus, and to remind students of the bigger risks on campus which is non-stranger assaults and when alcohol and other drugs are involved,” Russo said.
Russo said there has not necessarily been an increase in assaults, but this semester there has definitely been a significant increase in the number of reports received by departments on campus.
“We have received an increase of all kinds of reports this fall,” said Bruce Pitman, Dean of Students and vice provost of Student Affairs. “There’s a heightened sense of concern for all people around campus. We have had much higher number of contacts from faculty and staff expressing concern about the welfare of students and I think they are sensitized to issues because of the tragedy that started the semester.”
Pitman said there has been an increase in reports relating to mental health, the potential of violence and sexual assault.
Lt. Dave Lehmitz of the Moscow Police Department said very rarely do they receive reports of sexual assault where the victim did not know the attacker. Lehmitz and Russo said nearly every case reported is a non-stranger sexual assault where alcohol was involved.
The email sent to students and staff referenced the use of drugs including rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine to facilitate sexual assault on campus.
Lehmitz said there has been no evidence that these drugs have been used on campus this year. He said it is difficult to identify the use of such drugs because they exit the body so quickly.
“The No. 1 thing used on this campus to facilitate a sexual assault is alcohol, plain alcohol and the overconsumption of it,” Lehmitz said.
Russo said they just want students to be cognizant of the potential dangers associated with accepting beverages from an unknown source or an already opened container.
“The focus is on awareness,” said Matt Dorschel, director of Emergency and Security Services. “We’re trying to hit this fine balance of raising appropriate concern so that people will make good choices and take appropriate action, and at the same time frame it so that people understand what the risks are.”
Pitman said students are presented with information regarding sexual assault and alcohol use on campus from their first day on campus, and the email is part of an overall effort to keep students aware of the dangers on campus.
Lehmitz said the number of sexual assaults reported to the police this year is about the same as in previous years.
“We usually have about a dozen reports between the beginning of the school year and now,” Lehmitz said. “That’s about where we’re at.”
Russo said there are a number of reports that do not go through the police department, and that the Violence Prevention Programs office has received a significant increase in the number of sexual assaults reported.
“When we see an increase in reports, in my mind that’s good. It’s not an increase in the crime, it’s an increase in people getting services,” Russo said.
Russo said we are fortunate to have a number of resources available to students both on campus and in the Moscow community who are the victims of assault. Gritman Medical Center, MPD, campus security, the UI Counseling and Testing Center and Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse 24-hour hotline are just a few of the resources available to students.
Lehmitz said he advised students to be aware of the amount of alcohol they are consuming, and if necessary make sure a friend is present that is also aware of your individual limits.
“If you see a friend that is obviously showing signs of intoxication maybe don’t let that friend wander off with somebody alone,” Lehmitz said.
Russo said the element needed to commit sexual assault is isolation. She said she advised students to avoid being alone with someone they don’t trust, specifically while under the influence of alcohol.
“Regardless of the situation, no one deserves to be sexually assaulted, male or female,” Russo said.