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As a part of Omega week the Beta Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc kicked off the week’s festivities with an event to inform students on the dangers of date-rape and what they can do to prevent it.
Marquis Williams, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and organizer of the event, “Take Me Out: Blind Dating Game” said that the purpose of the event was to inform students of the risks associated with dating and date-rape.
Education Training and Research (ETR), a non-profit organization that works to helps educate families and students of social problems, says that date-rape occurs when a woman or man is forced to have sexual activity against their will, usually under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Senior elementary education major Myeshia Webb participated in the event as a speaker on behalf of her organization, OneSU, and spoke about how important events like these are for students.
“It’s extremely important because date rape is a very, very prevalent thing on college campuses,” said Webb.
In her speech to the audience of about 40 Southern University students, Webb gave advice and statistics about what students should look out for in order to minimize the risk of becoming a victim to sexual violence.
“Always be aware of your surroundings, always be conscious of what’s going on,” said Webb.
Webb added that it’s also not all on the victim so beware of your limits and those you keep around you.
Sophomore and mechanical engineering major, Tamasha Nwankwo, from New Orleans, Louisiana attended the event and spoke briefly on why she decided to attend.
“I think it’s important to attend so when we go out and entertain people we can know what to see and what to watch out for,” said Nwankwo.
Dr. ValaRay J. Irvin, a licensed psychologist and Director of the Southern University Couseling center for 18 years says that events like, “Take Me Out,” is an excellent way to inform students on the dangers of date-rape.
“On college campuses across the country we typically say to individuals that one in four college students will experience some form of acquaintance, date rape,” adding that most victims of date-rape are already acquainted with their attacker.
Dr. Irvin also added that some common problems with date-rape drugs is that they are taste-less, odor less and that often coincide with memory loss.
“If a student thinks that they have been a victim of sexual assault the first thing they should do is go to their student health center where one can have a physical exam called a rape kit,” said Irvin.
According to Dr. Irvin Southern University has a team of individuals who are part of a sexual assault response team that will assists students who have been victims of sexual assault.
As part of her job at the accredited counseling center, Dr. Irvin also offers therapy for students who may have become a victim of sexual assault.