Commentary Rough Draft

Zach Wujcik
10/20/09
ENC 1101

Dangers of Sexual Assaults on Campus

Replacing ones safety never seems to grow back the same. Students should feel secure walking down the sidewalk going home from class. However, most do not feel that way. But still do very little to gain knowledge of their own safety. According to an article in the Central Florida Future News, a male was assaulted near the towers by two drunken men. The ironic part of the story is that a similar incident happened to the same male in that week again. It is imperative that security did not act properly on the matter. How could it possibly happen again to the same person? Students of both genders need to protect themselves in a proper matter because it could happen to anyone. The safety of walking alone on a college campus has nationally been an issue. It should be our job as a student body to inform people on the danger and prevent bad situations from happening.
College lifestyles and sexual assaults have always been seen in the same environment. As long as we can remember college safety for students/faculty skates on thin ice. Policies and guidelines have been in effect in ensuring that safety. But assaults remain active among college campuses. According to Kathleen Hirsch in her novel Fraternities of Fear: Gang Rape, Male Bonding, and the Silencing of Women, “At least 1 in 4 college women will be the victim of a sexual assault during her academic career.” (2) It should be the student body’s objective to make sure that this statistic becomes less. It is startling that 25% of college women will be some sort of victim of sexual assault. UCF has taken initiative in the last year to protect its student’s safety. The Central Florida Future has reported that on-campus crime has been down 22% so far in 2009. Police has inspected that increase in security has been the reason. There are around 62 officers for the university and their duty is to serve and protect the campus. On 2/19/09 UCF passed regulations to increase the punishment on sexual abuse. There are many regulations being in place to make UCF a safer campus. But college campuses as a whole are still feeling the effects of sexual assault.
UCF has installed many programs to ensure the safety of its students. However, most students are skeptical that these programs are successful. S.E.P.S is an escort service that shuttles students to their respected destinations around campuses. On paper the concept seems like a grand idea. Numerous students who I’ve talked to that have used the service describe it as “too slow” or “would rather walk.”The program seems to have lots of potential. But having a ride service until 12:30 and still having students wait too long for a ride seems inexcusable. More shuttles for longer hours will create a higher demand for the service and most importantly increase the safety of transporting students. The service would feel liable if something were to happen to a student who has been sitting waiting for the shuttle to give them a ride. It would be a great aspect to eliminate that situation from happening. If a student is walking on foot UCF has also provided a service of emergency telephones. There are 65 located all across campus. If a student or faculty member was in some sort of danger they have the option to run to the nearest emergency telephone for help. The dispatcher then communicates to the person to receive the information then help them to safety. The question is would this be enough to save someone’s life? In most cases I believe the answer people would say is no. The emergency telephones are no different than calling 911 on your cell phone but in a stationary place. In specific dangers a person needs to act off instinct in certain cases of life vs. death. It should be certain that students understand this mindset so they can understand the threat then execute what needs to be done.
There can always be improvements to student safety. For example, UCF has increasingly population of students. The police department is determined to keep the peace. S.E.P.S provides a driving service for them and emergency telephones when an individual may be in danger. Though the programs may need to become improved they still just scratch the surface. Many colleges including UCF have programs that are an outer source to help its students. But I believe we should be reaching directly to the student on the basis of the information on sexual assaults. When it comes to a situation it will be how an individual handles themselves in the element of survival. A calling service or shuttle service may come in handy but the natural act of survival is what needs to come into play. I believe that colleges should set up certain seminars like classes that will inform students and faculty on the issue of their safety. This would gain knowledge to students on how to react in a specific situation. Or a more technical way would be the use of the internet. Students already are required to complete courses in alcohol edu. The awareness of assaults on campuses will reduce fewer incidents from happening and overall make college campuses a safer place.
The importance of one’s safety lasts forever. It should be our prerogative to make sure our student body is protected. Imagine walking to your car late at night. Then suddenly someone appeared out of nowhere and attacked you. Would you know how to properly react to this situation? If not, there is nothing knowing what could happen to yourself. Most individuals wouldn’t want to risk that situation. It should be our duty as a whole to ensure that safety. Then pass it on so that we can prevent more incidents from occurring.