For most students, the sexual assault at Drake Stadium on April 24 was a little too close to home. The assault happened at 8:30 p.m., a time of the day most students feel safe traveling on campus alone. This shocking event may have been an isolated incident, but it leaves students wondering what steps they can take to feel secure in the Westwood area.
UCLA is a safe place. We have our own police force and community service officers, and we live in one of the nicest areas of Los Angeles, but we shouldn’t become overconfident about our safety. Even though events such as the recent assault at Drake may be flukes, it is better to err on the side of caution when it comes to personal security.
Again, the issue of sexual harassment and assault surfaced when a number of female students complained to a CSO of an older male student watching them at Bruin Cafe last Wednesday, causing unease about their safety on the Hill. Although this student has no record and cannot be arrested, he may be restricted from access to the dorms in the future.
The recent incident at Bruin Cafe calls the secure feeling most residents have while living on the Hill into question. Although the issue was handled appropriately, the problem at hand remains. We need to realize that just because our chance of being attacked in the big city of Los Angeles may seem less likely than being struck by a lightning bolt, we shouldn’t let our guard down.
“I think the general attitude on campus is that there is no problem regarding women’s safety or sexual assault on campus, which is the source of the problem,” said Ashley Tucker, a fourth-year political science student.
Last Tuesday night, three students were held at gunpoint for their property. In this situation, not even a group was safe from attack. This goes to show that no amount of precaution is too much. As responsible students, we need to take charge of our safety and make an effort to avoid dangerous situations. Being mindful of the time of night you choose to travel could prevent situations like this from arising.
Just as most drivers wear a seat belt when driving, students should be cautious about walking alone no matter the circumstance. Although avoiding walking from the apartments to the dorms inebriated and alone may seem like a no-brainer for most students, our safety can be compromised by walking alone ““ even during the day ““ especially in unpopulated areas.
College-aged women are four times more likely than the average population to be sexually assaulted. Though it is not healthy to live in fear of sexual violence, it is important to realize it is a threat, and we should be cautious when traveling alone. This can be hard for women, especially ambitious women who attend UCLA. I have rejected offers for company to walk back from the apartments with me, in part because I want to be able to feel autonomous and capable of walking home alone at night.
Carrying pepper spray or taking a self-defense class are proactive ways for women to feel empowered and safe while walking alone. The Center for Women and Men is offering a self-defense class May 31, and the Panhellenic Council held self-defense classes Tuesday and Wednesday.
Calling a CSO or taking an evening van back from the library are helpful tools students can use to avoid potential threats. Starting a group that could walk from Powell to the apartments twice an hour could be implemented during midterms and finals. With these walking groups women wouldn’t feel like they are begging for assistance but could still find a way to remain smart about protecting themselves at night.
While it is discouraging to recognize that we live in a society in which this kind of activity exists, women need to recognize that there are ways in which we can empower ourselves to avoid dangerous situations and protect ourselves from these crimes. The blame should not be placed on the female on whom the crime has been committed.
Clearly the perpetrator at Drake was in the wrong, but there are ways female Bruins can feel empowered to stay independent in spite of the existence of sexual violence. Using a van pool or taking the initiative to organize a group of students to walk home together may not solve the injustice of sexual violence, but it can keep students safer.
Though sexual crimes may not be on the forefront of most Bruins’ minds while walking alone, women and men should take responsibility for their well-being and make sure to take the proper precautions.
Want to take back the night? E-mail Mier at smier@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.