Selah Vetter / Staff Writer
Last week,Delta Xi Phi, a multicultural sorority, and the Counseling Services & Wellness Office partnered together to host Red Zone awareness week. On Sept. 19, a self-defense workshop taught students the basics of self-defense.
“We worked to create events that were informative, thought provoking and would make students aware of resources on and off campus,” Mallory Lamm, a university counselor, said.
Red Zone week is hosted in universities across the nation during the months of August to November. These months are when sexual assault and rape rates are highest on campuses.
“Red Zone awareness week focused on bringing an awareness against sexual assault on college campuses and how to create a safe campus culture by learning how to be an effective bystander and knowing your rights,” Lamm said.
Campus police officers Wayne Lovell and Hillary Lemley taught students practical advice and useful moves to combat an attack. The officers walked through different scenarios and what a victim should do. They also taught the students what they should do in different areas of campus.
“It’s best to be proactive and it’s better to act before it happens,” Lovell said.
The officers emphasized that a victim should always try to call 911. The officers also stated that you should state your location, as well as keep the respondent on the line while they dispatch police officers to you.
While associating crime with nighttime is valid, the officers stressed the importance of being alert during the day as well. Alertness, common sense and being prepared to confront an attacker are the three most beneficial steps to stay safe.
Officer Lemley is planning to host self-defense training lessons later this school year for Samford students. She hopes to have interactive lessons where students can practice self-defense moves on police officers.
If you are someone you know is a victim of a crime, contact the campus police immediately. The campus police office is located in Seibert Hall.
For students seeking counseling and treatment, the office of Counseling Services & Wellness Programs is located in DBH 203. The office can be contacted at counseling@samford.edu or 205-726-4083. If you are someone you know is in crisis of rape or sexual assault, the local 24/7 Crisis Center Rape Response Line is 205-323-7273.
