Olivia Russo
LV Life Editor
Margaret Contreras
Editor-in-Chief
The first several weeks of the academic year is often referred to as the Red Zone, a period of time between move-in day and Thanksgiving break when college students – first year students and women in particular – are most likely to experience sexual assault.
Over 50% of sexual assaults that happen on college campuses occur during the Red Zone period, according to a 2021 study by the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, or RAINN.
RAINN also finds that Indigenous Americans have the greatest risk of becoming victims of sexual violence, and women ages 18-24 are three times more likely to be victims of sexual violence.
“A lack of knowledge on people’s part in terms of navigating as they’re becoming adults and learning to live on their own” is one factor contributing to this trend, said Chadwick Best, the University’s Title IX Coordinator.
Larger social gatherings present heightened risk for sexual violence, particularly if alcohol and drugs are involved.
Freshmen women are most at risk for becoming victims of sexual assault during the Red Zone period, but sexual misconduct can affect anyone at any time.
Before the semester started, Best met with the resident assistants to talk through what they can do if their residents are sexually assaulted and how to spot the signs in the event they would need to intervene.
“The vital key component here is training,” Best added. “It’s working with them preventatively to help them understand what consent looks like and what they can do proactively if you see something.”
Best has set aside time to meet most of the incoming freshmen so they are aware what resources they have if anything happens to them, no matter how small it is.
Additionally, the University has various Blue Light towers around campus, near the Citrus Residence Hall, the Mainiero Building parking lot and the Hoover Building. If needed, students can press the emergency button which will contact authorities and send off a large blue light to help whoever may be in distress.
The Jed Foundation, a non-profit that supports teens’ and young adults’ emotional health, offers tips for college students to stay safe including always going out with at least one trusted friend, and trusting your intuition to remove yourself from a situation that feels uncomfortable.
But this may not be enough.
Advocates believe that better sex education in high school could be key in preventing sexual assaults on college campuses.
“They’re not getting it in school, so they come here and they get pressured to go to parties,” said John Bartelt, professor of education.
The most important piece of information that Best, John Bartelt and Linda Bartelt all expressed is the importance of consent and what it looks like.
Consent is for both parties engaging in sexual activities, where they are both clear and willing with their agreement.
Teaching students about the importance of consent can is a key component in sexual assault prevention programs.
Bystander training is also critical. There are three ways bystanders can help if they see someone in harm: They can distract the perpetrator by asking them a question that can disrupt the flow of the situation; they can directly walk up to the perpetrator and call them out for what they are doing; and they can get a friend or someone with authority to call out a would-be perpetrator.
“We need to address the problem before it happens, not after,” said Linda Barteldt, adjunct professor of education. “Let’s train our men to not rape.”
To that end, Hannah Hartung, United Leos project director, who works in student services hopes to have monthly sexual assault and violence prevention trainings for students starting in October.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, contact Counseling and Pyschological Services at 909-448-4105, the Title IX Office at 909-448-4012 or title9coordinator@laverne.edu, the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673.
Olivia Russo can be reached at olivia.russo@laverne.edu.
Margaret Contreras can be reached at margaret.contreras@laverne.edu.
Olivia Russo is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print/online journalism and a minor in criminology. She is the Editor-in-Chief for the Campus Times for Spring 2026. She has previously served as the News Editor, LV Life Editor, a photographer and a staff writer for the Campus Times, as well as a staff writer and photographer for La Verne Magazine.
Magaret Contreras is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is editorial director and LV Life editor of the Campus Times and previously worked as editor-in-chief and a staff writer.
