The Tempe Crime Prevention Task Force and ASU Police held several sexual assault prevention classes throughout the summer.
“Educating the public is a key initiative in preventing sexual assaults,” ASU Assistant Police Chief Jim Hardina said.
Because alcohol is often a factor in sexual assault cases, officers are using class presentations to remind students of drinking laws.
“The more aware students are about the issue, the better they are at making an educated decision,” he said.
Hardina said police want to make sure students are aware of realistic dangers and realize good decision-making can improve their personal safety.
Tempe Police Sgt. Jeff Glover said many students don’t realize drinking too much alcohol can lead to a number of issues, including driving under the influence-related collisions, disorderly conduct and rapes.
In addition to diminishing a person’s decision-making ability, alcohol can embolden an attacker.
“That’s going to create a situation where bad things can happen,” Glover said.
Sexual assaults in the Tempe area have risen slightly in recent years, Glover said.
According to Tempe Police, many assaults are committed by acquaintances.
Police said most assaults occur between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekends when people are out with friends.
Glover urged people to drink in moderation because alcohol dulls people’s instincts and decreases their ability to protect themselves.
“It’s OK to go out and have a good time with your friends and it’s OK if you’re of age to partake in alcoholic beverages if you so choose,” he said, “Don’t do it to a point where you lose control of your surroundings.”
Tempe officers arrested a man last week on suspicion of attempting to rape a woman near Mill Avenue while drunk, Glover said.
The woman had a few drinks while out with friends but was not intoxicated, he said.
She was walking alone around 3 a.m. after being separated from her friends when the man allegedly attacked her, Glover said.
In another recent incident, an adult woman drank six alcoholic beverages within three hours at a party, passed out and was assaulted, according to Glover.
ASU Wellness and Health Promotion Director Karen Moses said alcohol consumption is a significant factor in sexual assaults on campus.
Moses said she encourages students to never mix alcohol with sex and to never walk home alone or with a new acquaintance.
“If you meet somebody at a bar that you’ve never met before, that might not be the best person to walk you home,” Moses said.
Both Tempe and ASU police have increased their joint patrol on several areas such as University Drive and Mill Avenue.
Glover said the best way for victims to help prevent future assaults is to report their experience.
“Reporting a sexual assault takes a lot of courage but it is important for students to speak up because we don’t want it happening again,” he said.
Reach the reporter at Raquel.R.Velasco@asu.edu
