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We’ve all been in the same predicament. You know the scene: You return to your dorm late at night and, based on the inadequate number of parking spaces on campus, you head for your last resort, the Steam Plant lot. Now that you are at least a five-minute walk from your dorm, you realize that you’re alone on this dark night on a university campus.
For you tough, macho guys out there, this doesn’t seem like such the perplexing problem. “What’s the big deal?” you ask. The big deal: Research indicates that one in three women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime (http://www.cs.utk.edu). Consequently, a woman is more scared of such a situation than is a man.
It is important to recognize that so many women are sexually assaulted on a daily basis. No one can dispute the facts. It is alarming to hear that, in the United States, 1.3 women are raped every minute, which results in 78 rapes each hour and 1,872 rapes each day. However, the greater problem lies in the concept of fear these women are forced to face head-on every single day.
It is suggested that young women living in a campus community not be out alone after dark to decrease the chances of an assault occurring. It’s sad that women are afraid to go out past 4 p.m. for fear of returning past dark. More importantly, it’s just not realistic that women are going to stay inside each night. Some have jobs, some have obnoxious roommates and some just have lives and care about hanging out with friends or going to a movie. It’s not fair to deny any human being these rights.
I am forced to walk from the Steam Plant alone each night. In the past year and a half, I have gotten into the habit of a routine. After purposely parking underneath a streetlight when possible, I make sure I have my cell phone turned on and my keys in hand. Looking over my shoulder every 30 seconds or so and holding my key between my fingers, I begin my fast-paced walk. Most nights I call my parents or a friend to talk to while I walk. My dad has often joked, asking how he would possibly be of any help to me if I were attacked since he’s three hours away. I tell him it is a security issue to know he’s there. Of course my scenario of walking alone is somewhat exaggerated by the fear that has been produced in me. The fear itself, however, is no distortion of the truth.
There is no comfort in the reality that 38 percent of college women reported that they were assaulted in a year, one in four college women have either been raped or suffered attempted rape and, most frightening, “35 percent of men indicated some likelihood that they would commit a violent rape of a woman if they were assured of getting away with it (www.cs.utk.edu).” How is anyone to feel safe anymore?
Of course, one must take precautions when walking alone after dark, especially if she is a woman and on the grounds of a university. My issue is not how to stay safe, but rather that women all over the country are being forced to fear for their safety.
Angela Fiandaca is a sophomore journalism major.
