What Is The Red Zone?
- It's On Us
- Sep 16, 2021
- 2 min read
TW: Mention of sexual assault
Welcome back to the blog!
Today we will be going over the Red Zone and why it is important to understand. The Red Zone is the period of time between the beginning of school and Thanksgiving Break, when sexual assault cases are at their highest. This tends to be more common at college campuses, but can happen in grade school as well.
So, why do most of the cases happen during the fall semester? During this period of time, thousands of new students are adjusting to a new campus and maybe a new city with new people. These months also have an increased number of socialization events, parties, rushing, and other gatherings. Alcohol and drugs sometimes seem to accompany social events, inhibiting decision making. When going to college, people venture out, try new things, and meet new people. Unfortunately, not everyone you meet is well-intentioned. It’s said that about 90% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the survivor knows to some degree (Solomon, 2018). This could be a new friend, classmate, or even someone you have known for years.
Some are worried about this fall semester because of the lack of socialization the past year and a half. People haven’t been with friends or classmates in a long time, and might over-compensate for the isolation. Kenyora Parham, executive director for End Rape on Campus, calls this semester the “double red zone.” Not only are freshmen adjusting to the new school year, but sophomores who were in isolation the previous year are learning with them. This puts more people at risk, and it’s important to be safe.
With all of this scary dialogue, college is a time for branching out and making memories. This can be done safely with proper knowledge on personal and group safety. It’s important that everyone is properly educated about safe sex and consent. Sex can be amazing and comfortable, but it’s important that both parties involved know the other’s boundaries and what they’re comfortable with. Sexual assault prevention is taught to some freshmen, but it’s not enough. Men and women alike need to have proper training on the bystander effect and what consent looks like.
There are resources available to those looking for more information on how to be safe and/ or how to get help if you are a survivor of sexual assault. If you attend Clemson, click on our resources page for more information. RAINN also has great resources and the link to their website is below.
To all of the survivors out there, we are here for you. You are valid and you have our support. There are resources available for everyone and we hope they suit you well. You are all amazing.
It’s On Us
Link to RAINN website:
This blog is criminally underrated!! More people need to be aware of the red zone and how to be safe!!!