VCU Police volunteer during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Mason Brown Staff Writer

Forcible sex offense numbers

(including sexual assault and forcible fondling)

2011 Forcible Sex Offense total: 11

Sexual assault: 1 on campus, 3 Richmond

Police (RPD) handled

Forcible Fondling: 4 on campus, 3 off campus

2012 (1/1/12 - 4/9/12)Forcible Sex Offenses total: 3 to date

Sexual assault: 1 on campus, 1 Richmond

Police (RPD) handled

Forcible Fondling: 1 on campus

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Calendar

April 18 Sexual Assault Prevention Presentation hosted by female students housed in Low Rise Residence Halls - Officer Rebecca Ellison will be facilitating a safety presentation advising the students of the VCU Police and the resources that are available to them as well as providing them with crime prevention information.

April 20 Sexual Assault Prevention Information Table, Shafer Dining Center- Officer Matt Ruland and Officer Ellison will be manning an informational table about the VCU Police and the resources that are available to students, staff and faculty and providing crime prevention material.

April 23 "Where is the Line?" Celebration Event, Larrick CenterVolunteers from VCU Police will be assisting the "Fear to Freedom" Personnel with putting together 500 kits for adults and children. VCU Police will also provide an escort for the VCU pediatric ambulance to the emergency room drive for delivery of the kits.

April 26 Sexual Assault Prevention Information Table, Jonah Larrick Student Center - Officers Ruland and Ellison will be manning an informational table about the VCU Police and the resources that are available to students, staff and faculty and providing crime prevention material.

VCU students received a crime alert about a sexual assault that took place minutes away from campus on March 28. The alert was a reminder of the reality of sexual assault on campus.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and VCU has teamed up with VCU Police and global nonprofit group Fear to Freedom for events to raise awareness through events being held on campus throughout the month.

Fear to Freedom, an organization dedicated to helping aid and recover victims of sexual assault, has helped arrange two events for the campus this month: “Take Back the Night,” a march and rally against violence and “Where’s the Line,” an event that lets students and volunteers assemble aid kits for victims of sexual abuse.

According to global nonprofit Fear to Freedom, one in four girls will have been sexually molested, often before the age of four.

On Monday, April 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Larrick Student Center on the MCV campus, the Fear to Freedom will host the event “Where’s the Line.” Students and volunteers will assemble 500 kits containing toiletries, clothing, toys and sexual assault information and resources for victims. The kits will be delivered to VCU Medical Center to be given to adults and children who are there as a result of sexual assault.

VCU Police will also be on hand for several events, distributing information and answering any questions students may have. VCU Police chief John Venuti said the event is an opportunity to get information to the students.

“The goal of the VCU Police Department during the month of April is to raise awareness and prevention of sexual assault as well as prevention and awareness of intimate partner violence,” he said.

Several VCU police officers and Venuti plan to volunteer for events throughout the month.

Events include an event at Shafer Dining Hall on April 20, where officers Matt Ruland and Rebecca Ellison will host an informational table with resources that are available to students, staff and faculty.

VCU Police will also be on hand during the “Where’s the Line?” event and providing escort of the kits for delivery. All of the events attempt to raise awareness on what to do as a victim and ways to prevent sexual assault.

At VCU, the number of forcible sex offenses – which include sexual assault and forcible fondling – has gone down since last year. In 2010 to 2011 academic year, VCU had 10 offenses, with five on campus. Since January there have been three total, with two on campus.

According to Venuti, keeping friends close is a good way to help them help you prevent sexual assault.

“VCU police recommend, when attending social events, to go with friends and to leave with friends,” Venuti said. “Don’t leave your friends behind. If consuming alcohol, make or bring your own and don’t take any open beverages from anyone. Consume alcohol in moderation so that you can care for yourself and your friends. Don’t isolate yourself, and let a sober friend know where you are and who you are with.”

He also encourages female students, faculty and staff to participate in the Rape Aggression Defense training, or RAD.

April is also dedicated to aiding victims of sexual assault and educating people on what sexual assault is and what to do if one becomes a victim.

Venuti said calling for help from police or one of the many resources available is the best option if students, faculty or staff have questions about something that happened to them, or if they think they have been assaulted.

“I want students to know, if they think they have been sexually assaulted, to call the VCU Police,” Venuti said. “If they are unsure about contacting the police, call someone and let them help you. ” CT