To kick off the second week of the semester as well as the NFL season, Elizabethtown College’s Office of Student Wellness (OSW) held an interactive football-themed event from Sept. 3 to 5 to raise awareness about sexual assault. “Let’s Talk About Consensual Sex: Red Zone” set up shop at various locations around campus, where the peculiar sight of bright tangerine T-shirts and thunderous pop music caught the eyes and ears of students. Curious passers-by near the Dell and BSC were encouraged to win a free T-shirt if they could answer questions pertaining to the common, but nonetheless serious, issue of collegiate sexual assault. After proving their mental mettle, participants flexed their brawn by playing a game in which they attempted to throw a perfect pass to inflatable wide receivers. Despite the carefree vibe, the true purpose behind this lighthearted amusement, as the OSW stresses, is anything but a game.
The primary focus of the “Let’s Talk” event was to increase awareness of the Red Zone in which colleges across America are now entrenched. “It’s so important to raise awareness since the first six weeks of school are when the most sexual assaults take place,” Marissa Ferris, a senior who hatched the idea for the event, said. It is a shocking yet unsurprising statistic that the fall semester is when the majority of college rapes are reported. This period from August to September is amok with sexual misconduct as students lower their inhibitions while adjusting to new environments and meeting new people. Anybody familiar with the NFL may recognize the term “Red Zone” refers to the last twenty yards before the goal line, when adrenaline is palpable and the offense will do anything to score. With a slightly different context of the word “score” in mind, it’s easy to see how the other Red Zone earned its namesake. By harnessing this connection to the NFL, the Let’s Talk event created an environment that was as recreational as it was educational. Ferris stresses how a relaxed setting is crucial to discussing a topic that can be as disconcerting as sexual assault.
“We wanted to make the event seem fun and approachable since we were trying to inform students of a topic that is not so light. When students saw there was a game involved and they had a chance to win a T-shirt, they were instantly hooked. Since we had their attention with something fun, we were then able to ask them a trivia question to really get them thinking about sexual assault, that we might not have been able to do if we were just going about this in a more serious manner.”
So what’s the tale behind the title “Let’s Talk,” anyway? One half refers to how better communication between those engaging in sexual activity can help prevent misunderstandings. Much confusion arises when nonverbal cues are treated like vocal demands, such as interpreting the lack of a spoken “no” as a green light for a hook-up. Etown students who participated in the event learned how the definition of consent can vary wildly between individuals, and that although two people may share the same bed, they don’t necessarily share the same boundaries. Paper slips handed out along with the T-shirts also conveyed the importance of being an active bystander. “Step in”, the miniature flyers urge, “if you feel help is needed.” This was one of the event’s more lasting ideas — how responsibility does not just fall on those who act, but also on those who do not.
The other half of the title refers to how important it is for students to communicate about sexual assault with those who can offer help. It’s a philosophy that getting the word out to Etown students to make them aware of available resources is a crucial step towards a safer campus. Part of this effort is reflected in each of the aptly red-colored flyers spread throughout the college. However, by distributing the T-shirts, the OSW aims to extend the program’s reach even further. Emblazoned with the acronym, “C.A.R.E.” (Competent, Active, Reversible and Explicit), wearing the shirts will make each student become a walking neon billboard.
Etown’s OSW hopes that the shirts and flyers will show everyone that a source of help is always within walking distance. Some of these invaluable resources on campus include Counseling Services and the Chaplain’s Office. Unfortunately, many students are still unaware that these services are highly confidential and think dealing with sexual assault strictly involves law enforcement.
“Let’s Talk About Consensual Sex” is only the beginning of a semester-long effort. On Sept. 25, an event for RAINN Annual Day of Action will be held in the BSC. From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., local organizations such as SARCC of Lebanon and YWCA Lancaster will be present. With more events like these, students will be able to deal with, and ultimately prevent, sexual assaults on campus. And, as the semester picks up, no time is more important to nudge Etown in the right direction than in the middle of the Red Zone.
