Mackenzie Thomas
Staff Writer
A study conducted by University of Wyoming psychologists done in the spring of 2018 discovered that one in four students will experience an instance of sexual assault at least once during their time at the university.
Out of the 1,913 participants in the study, 27.1% reported being sexually assaulted while they were students at UW.
On Nov. 2, the university received a report of an alleged sexual assault. The incident occurred within a university housing facility and is currently under active investigation.
This report comes just months after another incident had occurred in the university dormitories in early Sept. In 2017, there were a reported 21 sexaul assault and rape cases at the University of Wyoming. In 2016, there were 19 reported cases and 14 reported cases in 2015.
The most important thing University of Wyoming students can do in order to help prevent or help stop sexual assault is to be an active bystander.
“Trust your gut,” said Faryn Babbitt, the Executive Director of the Albany County SAFE Project. “If something does not appear right, do not ignore that feeling.”
Being a bystander does not mean putting yourself in danger, but it is important to recognize potentially harmful situations and step in. Bystanders can help prevent sexual assault by intervening in a safe way upon recoginition of a harmful situation.
The Albany County SAFE Project reaches thousands of people each year by talking about prevention methods, while also working with victims of sexual assault. The SAFE Project also works with K-12 students in order to help with early intervention.
“If we wait until children are already 18, we miss the mark.” Babbitt said. The SAFE Project works in many schools across Albany County to talk to children about consent and prevention starting at a young age.
The SAFE Project also works alongside the campus police, Albany County law officials and the hospital to provide services to victims of sexual assault. The goal of the SAFE Project is to make victims feel safe and confident that they are receiving the highest amount of care possible.
““If an assault has already happened, listen and offer support to the victim…don’t leave your drunk friends alone,” Babbitt said.
Babbitt said alcohol is the number one date rape drug. If bystanders witness anyone intoxicated in an unsafe or potentially harmful situation, she strongly encourages them to step in.
For those who have been directly impacted by sexual assault, Babbitt said she reccommends contacting full-time campus coordinator Katrina Harnisch. Harnisch is a member of the Albany County SAFE Project who resides on the UW campus, she can be reached at 307-766-3434.
Alongside the campus coordinator for the SAFE Project, there is also a 24-hour hotline available through the SAFE Project that can be reached at 307-745-3556. The Albany County SAFE Project can be reached directly at 307-742-7273.
