Staying aware

 Sitting on a brick wall at the convergence of Beach Drive and West Campus Drive, Caitlin Cascella stared straight ahead as she waited for her bus and listened to her iPod.  It was dark and the cold. She wanted to catch the bus to make sure she got home safely.

“I wouldn’t walk home alone, I would stay on lighted paths as [police] suggest, but I do feel like they are improving the safety issue on campus,” Cascella said.

In light of the two recent sexual assaults that occurred near the USC campus in September, in which one the predator used the false guise of an escort, Cascella’s concern shows the presence of mind that can help prevent her from becoming a victim.

The attempted sexual assault that occurred Sept. 5 at El Camino College calls attention to the upcoming dismal anniversary for CSULB — the four reported sexual assaults of fall 2006 that began with the rape of one female student.   

University Police chief Stan Skipworth pointed out several distinguishing attributes students should look for in order to confirm that a campus escort is, in fact, a Community Service Officer(CSO) and not an imposter.

CSO’s wear black polo shirts the marks on their black polo-shirts with “Community Service Officer,” written in gold lettering on the back with “CSULB” written underneath. University Police have also issued identification cards to CSO’s, who wear them around their necks and on their belts.

CSO’s also wear a red light on their right sleeve that flashes at night, and the escort service’s two vans have logos properly identifying the vehicles.

If a person still has doubts about a CSO’s identity, University Police welcome them to call (562) 985-4101 for confirmation, Skipworth said.

So far this semester CSO’s have seen an increase in the number of students seeking escorts and expect an average of over 350 a night, Monday through Thursday, for fall semester, said University Police Cpl. Ami Rsaza, who directs the CSO’s.  They averaged over 400 escorts per night Sept. 8 through Sept.11 and had this semester’s busiest day on Sept. 15 with 489 escorts.

Rzasa, who also heads the police’s Rape Aggression Defense(RAD) training course, said students can protect themselves by minimizing the opportunities for attacks to occur. 

She said students can do this by constantly minding what goes on around them. Suspicious people approaching, a building they can enter if needed and the traffic of the street in case they need to cross it are elements students should be evaluating.  This can give students a chance to avoid situations they feel may be dangerous.

“Take advantage of your options,” Rzasa said.  “Listen to your intuitions.”

Students can also reduce the risk of attacks by using the escort service and walking with friends, Rzasa said.

 Another way students can become proactive about preventing attacks is to take a self-defense course.  University Police offers RAD for women, which begins Oct. 6 and combines lectures and teachings of physical defense techniques. The Women’s Resource Center also offers Sept. 30 a self-defense workshop for women. 

Rsaza said that it is important to remember most sexual assaults have occurred between acquaintances. 

“It’s not necessarily somebody dressed in all black with a ski mask on,” she said.

Despite all the services and self-defense techniques, there is still a risk of students becoming victims of sexual assaults.  In these moments, the student has a choice of fighting back or not. 

“That choice is hers,” Rzasa said.  “Whatever choice she makes is going to be the right choice she makes.  Or him.”

Students seem to have absorbed the proactive measures they can take to protect themselves.

“I would look for something that says the school name on [CSO’s] at least,” said Criseida Serpas, a senior fashion merchandising major.

Janine Glascott, a junior exercising major, said she uses technology to her advantage. “I have the police number in my [cell] phone just in case and I always try to stay in lighted areas.”

Back at the bus stop, Cascella made sure that she kept herself safe, even if that meant cutting an interview short.

“I actually got to leave,” she told me.  “I got to catch my bus.  Otherwise I’m walking home at night and I don’t want to do that.”

For more information on RAD, contact Rzasa at ARZASA@csulb.edu. For information on the Women’s Resource Center’s September self-defense workshop, call (562) 985-8576.