ERIC M. JUKELEVICS/Arizona Daily Wildcat

LeeAnn Crickenberger, political science senior, asks the audience for questions during a panel discussion about rape on the UA Mall yesterday. The panel consisted of representatives from the Oasis Center, University of Arizona Police Department, Associated Students of the University of Arizona and a rape expert.

Forum comes in response to rash of UA area sex crimes

UA officials and students met on the Mall yesterday to discuss ways to counter a recent increase in sex crimes near campus.

The five-person panel of representatives from organizations that deal with sexual assault-related issues, agreed that students need to be more aware of the potential for sex crimes.

Sgt. Michael Smith, spokesman for the University of Arizona Police Department, acknowledged the rise in sexually related crimes that have occurred in the University of Arizona area. The crimes have ranged in scope from sexual assault to indecent exposure.

"We don't have the statistics yet for this year, but yes, we can tell there is an increase," Smith said.

Tucson Police Department officials recently linked the rape of a UA student on Oct. 3 and a Tucsonan on Oct. 31 to the same suspect. The attempted rape of two UA students Oct. 18 was not related.

Smith said that although UAPD is closely involved in the Tucson Police Department investigation of the two UA area rapes, the participation of the campus community is crucial in the search for the suspect.

"The power of the whole thing is 50,000 eyes and ears looking out for the suspect," Smith said.

LeeAnn Crickenberger, the political science senior who led the event, said a lack of discussion on campus could be one of the contributors to the rising problem.

"The biggest problem is, we as a community have not discussed how to not be a rapist," she said.

Alvin Lewis, a Pima County Community College professor who has conducted clinical studies on rapists and victims, gave a general description on the mentality of a rapist.

He said they are normally between 20 and 35 years old, insecure, possibly formerly abused and possibly using alcohol or drugs.

"Normally they get sexually abused and then go on to do it themselves," Lewis said.

He also said rapists are normally not intelligent.

Ryan Mojahed, a physiological sciences sophomore representing Campus Acquaintance Rape Educators, said a class on the subject of rape prevention is available for both men and women.

CARE, run by Associated Students of University of Arizona, teaches the class every semester. The class is worth two credits toward graduation.

"It's also a resource for those who want to talk," Mojahed said. "Some of the guys that take it are just blown away by what they learn in the class."

Mojahed said the class also teaches women to be more defensive against an assault.

"We try to teach girls to act outside the box - not acting so delicate," he said.

People with any information in regard to the two area rapes are asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME.