Editorial: Better safe than sorry

04/15/09 - What began as protests against violence toward women in the 1970s has evolved into the adoption of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month marks the eighth consecutive year the event has been honored. A smile from a stranger or something as simple as an unattended drink at a local bar can lead to devastating consequences for millions of women or men around the world.

National and local organizations team up during this month to increase awareness about the dangers of sexual assault and to let victims know that there are resources available to help cope after such a traumatic event.

According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network Web site, someone is sexually assaulted in the United States every two minutes. Sixty percent of rapes go unreported to police, and college women are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted.

For some, help comes too late.

Being vigilant of one's surroundings is vital to avoiding a potential assaulter. Everyone hears the horror stories about date rape drugs, and yet drinks are still left sitting on the bar unattended. The buddy system may have started in kindergarten, but it's still an imperative tool to watch out for friends that may have had too much to drink or might be drugged when in college.

Walking around at night, it's better to have a safe escort than go alone, or even be on a cell phone strolling the campus. Predators look for vulnerability in potential victims, and those who are chatting on a cell phone while grabbing keys out of a purse are the perfect targets.

But another statistic from RAINN states about 73 percent of victims know their assailants. Be careful about inviting strangers back to residences or even exchanging contact information too quickly.

Advocates of SAAM also encourage victims to speak up and bring their rapist to court. Only 6 percent of rapists ever spend time in jail, largely due to underreporting of rapes and gender biases found in the courtroom. But since the statute of limitations on rape is five years in most cases, it is best to report an assault right away. Hotlines like 1-800-656-HOPE, or a 24/7 online hotline at RAINN's Web site provide experts to offer advice for someone who has been sexually assaulted.

The old adage goes, "It's better to be safe than sorry."

Above all: It's important to trust one's instincts. It may be the key to getting out of what could be a bad situation.