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Vol. 26 Issue 82 fi usm.com Wednesday, April 8, 2015 SEXUAL AWARENESS Student thoughts on recent sexual assault alert ADRIAN SUAREZ AVILA only around when no one needs areas in the MMC that could 2012 and 2013, respectively. her to the correct department at News Director them or at least when some idiot use extra lighting and added Within public property at the the University for further help. adrian.suarezavila@fi usm.com is driving over the speed limit.” improvements to ensure student MMC, the amount of forcible As part of CAPS, there Waving her hands in the air as safety. sexual offenses were three, four exists the University’s Victim In light of a sexual assault she spoke, she went on. Student Government and zero in 2011, 2012 and 2013, Empowerment Program. case in the Modesto A. Maidique “We have the It’s On Us Association at the MMC respectively. According to its website, Campus that was reported over campaign and all this stuff, but President Alexis Calatayud and Some students expressed the mission of the Victim the weekend, University students people still don’t get the message Vice President Tiffany Roman that they were unaware of the Empowerment Program is to shared their thoughts. that these things are not right,” Biffa were present at the event resources available to them in the provide confi dential services The email, sent by External she said. “We need stricter laws and helped identify various areas case that they are affected by an to University students, faculty, Relations, reached the University regarding sexual assault--that that were poorly lit. issue regarding sexual assault. staff and visitors who may have community on Saturday, April 4. simple. At the moment of publication, Among the resources available been victimized through acts of According to the email, no Jesus Pratt, a sophomore no information has been made to students are the Offi ce of violence and to help guide them arrest of the perpetrator was made mechanical engineering major, available regarding the exact Counseling and Psychological through the healing process. and it is alleged that the two also shared his sentiments on the location of the assault. Services. In addition to providing individuals involved in the case recent assault case. Among the areas that were In the offi ce students can ask these services, the VEP also knew each other beforehand. “To consider that the two identifi ed as being poorly lit at last for advice and take advantage of hosts a variety of events in the The University Police people in the case knew each year’s event were the corridor near services that help them deal with University to provide students Department cautioned students to other just makes things so much the Graham Center fountain in the emotional or mental health issues. with educational tools that help be aware of their surroundings, more interesting and even worse, MMC, the parking lot adjacent to The offi ce also offers services them protect themselves from acts avoid areas that are poorly lit really,” Pratt said. “They say that the Graham Center Ballroom, and that deal with stress counseling of sexual harassment and other when alone and ensure that these assaults are usually done by parking lot 9D, which is located and services that allow students forms of violence. friends and family know about people who know each other and behind the Management and New to simply talk to someone after a According to Ralph Torres, their whereabouts. this case just proves it.” Growth Opportunities (MANGO) tough situation. who works with investigations in Camila Irrazabal, a freshman Pratt went on to share building. University students can visit the University Police Department, biology major, believes that the Irrazabal’s feelings that the According to the Annual the CAPS offi ce during the day the investigation to fi nd the University needs to do more to University needs to do more in Security & Fire Safety Report at any time that best fi ts their perpetrator is ongoing. ensure that incidents like the one order to prevent these types of for 2014-2015 created by the schedule. Appointments can be Those who know of any that took place over the weekend crimes from happening. University Police Department, made, and walk-in counseling information that may aid in don’t happen again. Last year, University police there were three, four and two sessions are also provided so that the investigative efforts are “It’s simply ridiculous,” held the campus safety walk, reported acts of forcible sexual a trained psychologist may meet encouraged to call FIUPD at Irrazabal said. “The police are which sought to identify various offenses in the MMC in 2011, with a student and refer him or 305-348-2626. Step on the Silence: University event to raise awareness ADRIAN SUAREZ AVILA According to Cedeño, the target audience it’s perfect timing to have this event and bring to promote awareness of sexual assault News Director is the general University community. to light these conversations that are usually prevention and safety. It also aims to unify adrian.suarezavila@fi usm.com Although he encourages everyone to go, [swept] under the rug.” women, men and children in an effort to draw he admits that the event is ideally for men, The event is just one out of a variety of attention to these issues. Today men will take to the Graham Center and specifi cally to allow them to complete the events hosted throughout the month in order According to its fl yer, the Take Back the Lawns. .in heels. message that the event’s name communicates: to provide information on sexual assault. Night march and rally provide a forum in In an effort to draw attention to sexual walk a mile in a woman’s shoes. Titled, “Take Back the Night - Under SEE HEELS, PAGE 2 assault, the University’s Women’s Center, Although not a mandatory portion of the the Same Moon,” the series’ intention is alongside the Interfraternity Council, will be walk, men will be asked to wear heels as hosting an event, titled, “Walk a Mile in Her they complete the walk, which will start at Shoes.” the Graham Center Lawns in the Modesto APOLLO’S GODDESS Jonathan David Cedeño, a senior women A. Maidique Campus, continue through and gender studies major, is the head of the Green Library Breezeway, the Graham planning for the event. Center, and fi nish in the GC Lawns. Cedeño admits that while women don’t usually walk in the event, several nonetheless attend in order to see the walk and take part in the various activities that take place at the It’s awesome that men are event. leading this effort, and with what He added that he intends the event to open happened over the weekend people’s eyes regarding sexual violence. with the sexual assault case I “Gender stigmas are still very...apparent believe it’s perfect timing to have in our society and I want people to know that this event and bring to light these it’s not okay to sweep things under the table,” conversations that are usually Cedeño said. Students shared their thoughts on the [swept] under the rug. event. “It’s a fun way of drawing attention to an important issue,” said Alessandra Duke, a junior health administration major. “I attended Lisa Fermin last year and I’m looking forward to seeing Junior what the gentlemen have to put on this year.” Chemistry MEGAN TAIT/THE BEACON Other students also commented. As the coordinator, Cedeño’s duties “This is the fi rst time I hear about the Kaitlyn Woods, a sophomore studying hospitality management and member included coordinating who will be speaking event and I’m taking time off of my day to of Alpha Xi Delta, celebrates after she is crowned winner of the Apollo’s at the event, the general logistics of the walk, attend,” said Lisa Fermin, a junior chemistry Goddess Gala. Hosted by Tau Kappa Epsilon, contestants from different and the promotion of the event in order to major. “It’s awesome that men are leading organizations raised money for St.Jude’s Children’s Hospital during the week. ensure that a large amount of members within this effort, and with what happened over the Woods was will serve as the TKE philanthropic representative for the year. the University community attend the event. weekend with the sexual assault case I believe 2 The Beacon – Wednesday, April 8, 2015 NEWS fiusm.com NATION & WORLD Sexual Health talk BRIEFS comes to the University Pause in bombardment urged in Yemen for FIORELLA CANTERO most common sexually will be displayed at her evacuations, aid deliveries Contributing Writer transmitted infection in the presentation titled, “Get [email protected] United States.” The Facts, Not HPV!” As a Saudi Arabia-led air coalition while consolidating their grip on a The event will be Caceres thinks this is continued to strike rebel targets across southeastern provincial capital.