USU office describes sexual assault prevention work during the 'Red Zone'

Utah State University's Survivor Support, Advocacy, and Violence Intervention (SSAVI) Office is wrapping up its prevention outreach during the "Red Zone," the Herald Journal reported. The term refers to the period from the first day of classes to Thanksgiving break, when, according to Johns Hopkins University, more than 50% of campus sexual assaults during the school year happen. ^[1]

Ashleigh Totten, SSAVI's victim advocate and outreach and prevention coordinator, said much of the office's outreach targets first-year students, who may face new situations without a strong support system. She said USU focuses on large parties and events in the first weeks of classes and encourages freshmen to get involved in clubs, which she called protective factors. ^[1]

Totten said barriers to seeking help include people not realizing that what happened to them was wrong and victim blaming. She said meetings with university leadership, including USU President Brad L. Mortensen, have been positive for prevention efforts. SSAVI has held events this year, including wearing purple on Wednesdays in October for domestic violence awareness month, and its resources are available on its website and at the Taggart Student Center. ^[1]