October - Wingspan

8Wingspancampus newsTwo campus events highlightdate violence, alcohol abuseBy Kolby VerbeckOnline EditorLaramie CountyCommunity College’s campussafety and security and healtheducation personnel on Sept.16 sponsored events aimed tohelp students prevent datingand sexual violence and raisedawareness of the risks involvedwith consuming alcohol.A speaker from Safehouse,a nonprofit organization thatprovides services to victims orsurvivors of domestic violence,stalking and sexual assault, addressedthe cycle of violence ofdomestic violence. Safehouseprovided statistics for studentsto understand the impact ofdomestic violence.For example, on average,a victim will take abuse eighttimes before actually leavingthe abusive situation. A personmight call law enforcement sixtimes, then leave temporarilyor complain to a friend untilshe actually removes herselffrom the situation.Concerning sexual assault,it was noted a victim usuallyknows the attacker, said AmyPerea, LCCC health educationcoordinator. Victims canreport sexual assaults, but theagency will not report themto law enforcement unless thevictims seeks it, she added.“I’m surprised at how manystudents tell me they knowsomebody or went out withsomebody that used to pushthem around or smack them,and, to me, that’s just shockingat such an early age,” Pereasaid.The organization also providescounseling for victims.Alcohol awarenessand safety notedIn 2005, about 10.8 millionpeople ages 12–20 reporteddrinking alcohol in the pastmonth. Nearly 7.2 million werebinge drinkers, and 2.3 millionwere heavy drinkers, accordingto the Center for Science in thePublic Interest.Every year, 599,000 studentsbetween the ages of 18 and 24are unintentionally injuredunder the influence of alcohol,“Alcohol abusecan put victims ina situation to beassaulted.”Amy PereaLCCC health educationcoordinatorwhile more than 696,000students between the agesof 18 and 24 are assaulted byanother student who has beendrinking, according to theorganization.“Alcohol abuse can putvictims in a situation to beassaulted,” LCCC’s Perea said.She added “It’s not just beingassaulted but also minor injuries.”Drunken people oftenfall down, hit their head orstumble over objects. All theseare alcohol-related injuries butare not reported, she said.Encouraging students tomake good decisions washighlighted during the presentation.For men, not knowingwhen to stop after a womansays “no” is a crucial decision.Women were encouragedto make good decisions andbe cautious of whom theygo with. Date-rape drugs arealso prevalent at college-agedparties; however, alcohol isthe No. 1 date rape drug, Pereasaid.Safer drinking practicesto prevent ingesting daterapedrugs and partying withknown friends are alternatives,she suggested.Most people think if theyare at a house party, they aresafe. But, on average, seven toeight shots are used in a mixeddrink at a party, Perea said.The concern used to be ifpeople set their drinks down ata party, a date-rape drug couldbe put into their drink. Nowit’s common to find that the“Jungle Juice” punch is full ofdate-rape drugs, and then theperpetrator has all kind of victimsto choose, Perea added.Drunken college partieshave been around for decades,but today alcohol poisoninghas become a prominent issue.Alcohol poisoning occurswhen somebody consumes alarge amount of alcohol intotheir system. The reasonspeople drink in college are tobe social, to enjoy the feelingof being impaired, to be selfconscious,and to forget theirproblems, according to theBacchus Network, a university-and community- basednetwork focusing on comprehensivehealth and safetyinitiatives.The brain begins to shutdown involuntary functionsthat regulate breathing andheart rate, sometimes resultingin death.The amount of alcohol thatcauses alcohol poisoning variesby persons, so it is impossibleto predict the limit of anindividual person, accordingto the Bacchus Network.Typically, when someonedies from alcohol poisoning,the person has stoppedbreathing because the depressantlevel of the alcohol was sohigh or the person has chokedon his vomit.What to do if you think yourfriend has alcohol poisoning?The symptoms are as follows:• Unconscious or semiconsciousand cannot beawakened;• Cold, clammy, pale orblueish skin;• Slowed breathing (lessthan eight times aminute, or irregular,with 10 seconds or morebetween breaths);• vomiting while sleepingor passed out and notwaking up after vomiting.If a person has thesesymptoms, he or she may besuffering from acute alcoholintoxication.• Call someone eithera staff member, ambulance,public safetyofficial or anyone whocan help.• Do not leave the personalone. Turn the victimon his side to preventchocking in case ofvomiting.• Be “safe rather thansorry.”October 12, 2009lccc.wy.edu/wingspanWarning signs of domestic abuse• Controlling behavior;• Quick involvement;• Unpredictable mood swings;• Alcohol and drug use;• Explosive anger;• Isolation from friends and family;• Force used during an argument;• Hypersensitivity;• Belief in rigid sex roles;• Accusations of others for problemsor feelings;• Cruelty to animals or children;• Verbal abuse;• Former partners abuse;• Violence threats.• Examples of what men andwomen may think toward theirrelationships are as follows:Laramie County Community CollegeDiscover yourinspiration.– Chelsea Beauprez, StudentMy college is more.Sign up for classes today!In men:• They have the right to controltheir female partners in any waynecessary.• Masculinity is physical aggressiveness.• They possess their partner.• They should demand intimacy.• They may lose respect if theyare attentive and supportivetoward their girlfriends.In women:• They are responsible for solvingproblems in their relationships.• Their boyfriend’s jealousy, possessivenessand even physicalabuse are “romantic.”• Abuse is “normal” because theirfriends are also being abused.• There is no one to ask for help.www.lccc.wy.edu • 307.778.LCCC