The University of Rhode Island Student Senate met to watch a presentation from an
organization that helps prevent sexual assault on campus, announced open seats on the senate and passed a bill.
The presentation was by i-STAND. The organization’s mission is to correct misconceptions about domestic violence, according to Keith LaBelle, the assistant director of i-STAND. In the last three years, LaBelle has taught bystander intervention training for students.
With the training, they become i-STANDers and retain the skills for the rest of their lives,
according to LaBelle.
“I think education is the key to [sexual assault] prevention,” LaBelle said.
The most dangerous time for women is during the first six weeks of their first year of college, also known as the Red Zone, according to LaBelle. More than 50% of sexual assaults nationwide happen during the Red Zone, which is from August to November.
Most misconceptions of sexual assault are shown in the media, according to LaBelle. On TV, people see actors with black eyes and broken bones from domestic violence. In reality, there’s an increase in dating domestic violence where there aren’t any arrestible offenses.
LaBelle’s presentation included statistics about sexual violence. 87% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows, according to LaBelle. 70% of women who are raped physically struggle at first but are overpowered either physically of psychologically, 6% of men commit 90% sexual assault crimes and most sexual assault crimes aren’t reported.
After the presentation, Sen. Lynn Sawyer announced there are 12 seats open on the senate. These include the College of Education, College of Nursing, three at large, two off-campus and five for jury.
A bill was passed to have the Transfer Student Association as a senate recognized organization.
The senate will meet again on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Union Room 300.
