UBG lecture informs on sexual assault

By Regan Tekavec

Mirror Business Manager
February 22, 2008

Steve Thompson, renowned speaker on sexual aggression, addressed the Augustana campus yesterday in a presentation aimed to raise awareness and to inform students about how to protect themselves from sexual assault.

Sponsored by Union Board of Governors Lectures, Thompson’s program, “No Zebras - No Excuses, The Realities of Sexual Assault,” gave students tips on self- defense as well as simple actions for keeping the entire campus safe.

Thompson knows firsthand the horrors that sexual aggression can breed. While working toward a graduate degree and teaching martial arts at Indiana University, several women on campus fell victim to rape and sexual assault incidents. Thompson, a black belt, developed a program on sexual assault avoidance.

A few weeks into the program, a rapist preyed on one of his students. This forced Thompson to devote himself to discovering the psychology and physiology behind sexual assault. Currently a professor at Central Michigan University, his presentation combined 28 years of research with knowledge gleaned from countless interviews with survivors and sexual delinquents.

“We thought that sexual assault was a topic that we needed to bring to Augie because people just aren’t aware [of the issue],” UBG Lectures co-governor junior Emily Schirmer said.
“The mentality of ‘it could never happen to me’ is prevalent here on campus.”

Schirmer also voiced the concern that people on campus rarely lock their doors and often walk alone across campus at night.

According to Campus Safety director Rick Tupper, Augustana has recently experienced episodes of sexual aggression. He has received reports of a male subject entering houses, attempting to take advantage of intoxicated male victims.

“Campus Safety is working with the Sioux Falls Police Department as this investigation continues,” Tupper said. “Any type of speaker or presentation assists with making people aware.”

UBG Lectures co-governor junior Clarissa Thompson cited the recent incidents on campus as a reason for bringing Steve Thompson to Augustana.

“UBG Lectures wanted to address a problem that has been showing up on campus and to try to enlighten the students about what they can do to prevent it or make it stop,” Thompson said.

Thompson said that the speaker approached a somewhat controversial topic well.

“Steve Thompson just seemed like the right personality for our campus. Strong, confident and energetic, he seemed like a good fit.”

Tupper offers the following advice for students to keep themselves safe on campus: keep doors locked even when at home and always watch drinks while at a party. In addition, students should watch out for friends who are drinking and report anyone who looks suspicious.

“We cannot protect everyone all of the time,” Tupper said. “It takes everyone playing a role to keep a community safe.”