Today: Women’s Soccer Team Brings Sexual Violence Awareness

By Emily Kleiman

Every two minutes, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted. The UC Davis women’s soccer team will play for those victims this afternoon. 

College students are more likely to experience sexual violence than any other age group, and 80 percent of all victims are under age 30, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the organization that hosts the national sexual assault hotline and the national online hotline.

As a response to this nationwide problem, the Aggies took the opportunity to get involved in the community and the fight against campus violence. The school will host a moment of silence to honor victims of sexual violence during the women’s home soccer game against Pacific University at 3 pm today at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.

The moment of silence comes three weeks after RAINN Day, a grassroots campaign to bring awareness to college campuses across the country on the issues of sexual assault and rape.

“It’s important for students to not only understand the risk of sexual violence on campus, but also to feel empowered to take action — and get help in the event of an attack,” said Katherine Hull, spokesperson for RAINN. “During RAINN DAY, students open a dialogue about sexual violence on campus and motivate their peers to take a stand against this crime."

Under the Clery Act, which requires colleges and universities to track and disclose the number and types of crimes committed on and around their campuses, UC Davis saw 15 reported occurrences of forcible sexual offenses committed on campus in 2008. Just two years later, in 2010, the number decreased slightly, to 14 reported cases.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, help is available both locally and nationally: 

• · UC Davis Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
• · Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center (SADVC)
• · Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)