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Community groups combat sexual assault

In the last six months, an average of one UA student sought counseling for sexual assault every three days, according to information obtained from the University of Arizona's Oasis Center.

Campus organizations this week will try to reduce that number by providing students with rape educational materials during the University of Arizona's sexual assault awareness week, which begins today on the UA Mall.

The UA Oasis Center, along with several other programs, will be on the Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with informational pamphlets and activities on the issue of sexual assault.

Irene Anderson, director of the Oasis Center, said the purpose of this week's activities is to let students know what resources they have on campus and in the community.

Matt Sanders, assistant director of the center, is coordinating the week's events.

"It's basically an outreach on the (UA) Mall," Sanders said.

Members of the Women's Resource Center, Tucson Rape Crisis Center and Women's Health Advocates are some of the groups that will be represented on the Mall.

Sanders said throughout the week, representatives from each group will be holding group discussions on many issues, including acquaintance rape.

"We want students to drop by and participate in discussions," Sanders said.

He said they will be showing videos of talk show footage about the subject of sexual assault, along with informational videos about date rape throughout the afternoon.

Becky Knox, program and services coordinator for the Women's Resource Center, said the group provides programs and educational services for health-related issues. They also provide a free self-defense class.

The classes are also offered throughout the semester at several UA residence halls, Knox said.

While the Women's Resource Center is available to all students, the Women's Health Advocates is aimed at UA sorority members. Each sorority appoints a representative who receives counseling training through the Oasis Center. The representatives are available to give advice to members and provide a confidential forum for discussion.

For students interested in getting involved with rape education, there will be a sign-up sheet for a Campus Acquaintance Rape Educators class available at the booth. The class, which meets weekly during the fall semester, is a two-credit course.

Junior Lily Santiago took the class last year and, along with Sanders, is in charge of this year's instruction. Santiago, a family studies and community health education major, is also the director of CARE.

Sanders said the class is valuable for students who want to become health educators and anyone interested in women's issues.

Many students who take the class go on to be educators in residence halls on the issues of sexual assault and date rape, she said.

The class will be held on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.