KATRINA GULSTA
BYU's safe environment often lulls students into a false sense of security, making them prime targets to be the victims of any crime, including rape, University Police say.
In an effort to increase rape awareness among all students, BYU offers rape education, self-defense and counseling services.
Although the number of reported on-campus rapes and sexual assaults have not gone up, students need to be alert to possible crimes, said Ryan Judd, University Police sergeant. 'BYU is not immune to crime. It is not immune to sexual assault.'
The University Police provide a date rape presentation on the first day of the Health 129 class, but now the lecture has developed into an entire rape defense class for women.
The Rape Aggression Defense course, RAD, teaches techniques specifically designed to defend against sexual assault.
The semi-annual talk in Health 129 taught basic rape information but lacked the substance sought by many women, Judd said.
'They wanted something in addition to the statistics. The RAD program offers that,' Judd said.
RAD includes a hands-on, full-contact training program, as well as a rape awareness program, and is used at 250 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.
BYU plans to offer at least one, half-credit RAD class a semester.
'The RAD class has proven to be very popular. We anticipate that we will have to expand it,' said Brian Andreason, University Police officer.
BYU also offers counseling for sexual assault victims through the Counseling and Development Center, McDonald Health Center and the Comprehensive Clinic.
Victims are encouraged to seek counseling, said DeMoyne Bekker, clinical director of the BYU counseling center.
'In general, it is difficult for a young person to come in and admit what has happened to him or her,' Bekker said. 'They need to be assured that the information is confidential and our counselors are well-trained professionals.'
Students' records are kept confidential unless written permission is given for a release. Most of the counselors are licensed by the state, which also guards confidentiality by state law.
'Many victims say, 'Well, everyone will know, and I don't want them to know.' But, that isn't the case,' said Michael L. Maughan, psychologist at the Counseling and Development Center.
The Counseling Center provides individual and group counseling for sex-abuse victims, enabling students to choose from a variety of treatment groups.
On the victim's first visit to the Counseling Center, an intake interview is conducted with a professional counselor to determine what service would be the best. Afterwards the student evaluates the options and decides on individual or group therapy.
Counseling services are free to full-time students. Part-time students, spouses and dependents can receive help through the McDonald Health Center, whose fees vary according to the patient's insurance company.
If a student is attacked on campus, he or she is encouraged to notify the University Police, while an off-campus assault should be reported to the local police.