Students can arm themselves with information from NIU to help lessen the chances of becoming a rape victim.

Last year, 29 sexual assaults were reported at NIU, said Bev Beetham, Sexual Assault Task Force Chairperson. Of those reported, 16 occurred on campus and 12 assaults happened off campus.

“There’s never going to be a time when there’s not that scared feeling,” said Karen Wilkinson, president of NIU’s Panhellenic Council. But if students are provided with more information about sexual assault, the number of incidents might decrease, she said.

Although some might think Greek Row has a soiled reputation with regard to sexual assault, Wilkinson said its reputation is “totally unfounded, especially since they do so much to promote sexual assault awareness.”

Dawn Sturma, activities adviser for greek affairs, said a rape by a fraternity member is easier to identify because of the visibility of greek letters and organizations.

Sturma said the InterFraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council helped sponsor a “No Never Means Yes” campaign and posters for Sexual Assault Awareness Week.

In addition, Phi Kappa Sigma helped University Resources for Women distribute balloons and other itmes designed to promote sexual assault awareness, Beetham said.

“People are aware (that sexual assault occurs on campus), but people cannot be aware enough of sexual assault,” Wilkinson said. “We have to ensure protection for each other.”

All NIU sororities have a “sober monitors” program to make sure there is someone not drunk at fraternity and sorority functions, Wilikinson said. More than half of the 29 assaults reported last year involved alcohol, Beetham said.

Students also are encouraged to use the Late Night Ride Service instead of walking home alone, especially when there is alcohol involved. The service runs Thursday through Saturday between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.

In addition, resident assistants also encourage students in the residence halls to take advantage of the service, said Roseanne Fazio, Grant North Towers residence hall director.

She said the residence halls take “a lot of preventative measures against rape.”

“All RAs are trained to direct students who are victims of rape and send them to services which can help them,” Fazio said. “We want students to be aware that rape occurs.”

Rape is the topic of most halls’ first floor meetings and there are additional educational and informative programs sponsored by the residence halls throughout the semester, Fazio said.

Sturma said greek organizations were provided with rape information packets designed to inform and educate members about sexual assault and preventative measures that should be taken by all students.