Welcome back fellow students and staff! I hope that everyone enjoyed their Holiday vacation and was able to spend well deserved time with family and loved ones. I myself am enthusiastic about my return home from the frozen, snowy, flat, uninspiring Midwest. To those Midwestern folks out there… no offense, but you live in a very droll part of the country. I came home after three very tedious and consumer filled weeks to a beautiful, fresh, mountainous and surprisingly warm southern Oregon. I have a new outlook on our abundant and stunning region. I’m waking up grateful, refreshed, and ready for the New Year. Hello 2010!
Despite my enthusiasm for our most delightfully quaint little town, there have been some concerns regarding safety that I feel obligated to discuss. I’m sure by now you are all well aware of the recent reports of sexual assaults around town that have been surfacing. This issue is one that we all must pay very close attention to. The rapes are not only occurring on campus, in which silently the number of victims rises every month. They occur everywhere; in your home, in your neighbor’s home, in the streets, at our schools, in the workplace. Everywhere.
Rape is no new perpetrator to us. However, a raise in awareness is especially due at this time. A blatant rapist is on the loose, attacking women in broad daylight in the streets. This is more dangerous in a way because we cannot keep from walking in town in broad daylight, whether it is to our cars, into a building, etc. We need to be superfluously cautious right now until this perpetrator is caught and put to justice.
We cannot bring enough awareness to this issue. Sexual assault is prevalent and extremely destructive. In most situations, the assaults are shushed and minimized due to the appearance of face value. This happens with small towns, within families, and even at schools. Not only does this way of dealing with rape contravene an active solution, it disrespects the victims and aides in the possibility of an increase in assaults. We, as students, need to become involved. The next victim could be someone that you know personally or truly care about. It could even be you.
If you have been assaulted, the most important thing you need to do is to take care of yourself. Please know that it wasn’t your fault. Seeking medical attention even if you are not ready to report the assault is necessary for your health. Finally, though you may not be ready to come forward, you must deal with your feelings in a way that works best for you. Be it counseling or talking with friends or loved ones. Whatever approach you take to healing is very important to your well-being. Remember that if you have been assaulted, someone else could be next, so please, please speak up.
Our town is superb and for the most part quite safe. If we remain aware of the potential risks of danger and keep ourselves informed, I believe we can keep it that way. So have fun, stay informed, be extremely aware, and have an outstanding and influential term.
