Spring Break
Miami coordinator, groups increase efforts to prevent sexual assault
Brianna Mulligan
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Campus
On Aug. 1, 2007 Nicole Hall started her position as the first coordinator of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program at Miami University. Since then, Hall, with the help of Miami, has made a number of efforts to increase sexual assault prevention education and decrease incidents
of assault.
In 2007, only three attacks were reported while there have been none reported thus far in 2008, according to Captain Jason Willis of the Miami University Police Department (MUPD).
According to Willis, three is a small number but does not vary greatly with years past. In 2006, Willis said that only two incidents of sexual assault were reported, while in 2005 there were six.
"There is definitely not a trend where we see the numbers on the rise, it's more of a staggered reporting," Willis said.
Since 2000, 34 assaults have been reported to MUPD. The most sexual assaults were reported in 2001 and 2003, each with seven.
Willis does not believe there are any specific reasons more assaults take place during certain years, but believes that MUPD has been successful in prevention efforts.
"With our community relations effort, we really try to cover sexual assault prevention," he said. "I believe we do a good job of preventing sexual assault and dealing with victims."
Hall's new position is one way the university is working to combat sexual assaults.
According to Hall, her job was created to help centralize the sexual assault prevention efforts on Miami's campus.
"Basically, I keep in touch with the resident life (office) and how they train the Resident Assistants (RAs) during orientation," Hall said. "I train the judicial board who deals with sexual assault issues and work with Panhellenic (Association). I centralize the training to make sure (I know) what the message is."
Hall also works with both the Oxford Police Department (OPD), MUPD, the Women's Center and Miami's counseling center. She also acts as a victim's advocate, providing victims of sexual assault someone to talk to during recovery.
of assault.
In 2007, only three attacks were reported while there have been none reported thus far in 2008, according to Captain Jason Willis of the Miami University Police Department (MUPD).
According to Willis, three is a small number but does not vary greatly with years past. In 2006, Willis said that only two incidents of sexual assault were reported, while in 2005 there were six.
"There is definitely not a trend where we see the numbers on the rise, it's more of a staggered reporting," Willis said.
Since 2000, 34 assaults have been reported to MUPD. The most sexual assaults were reported in 2001 and 2003, each with seven.
Willis does not believe there are any specific reasons more assaults take place during certain years, but believes that MUPD has been successful in prevention efforts.
"With our community relations effort, we really try to cover sexual assault prevention," he said. "I believe we do a good job of preventing sexual assault and dealing with victims."
Hall's new position is one way the university is working to combat sexual assaults.
According to Hall, her job was created to help centralize the sexual assault prevention efforts on Miami's campus.
"Basically, I keep in touch with the resident life (office) and how they train the Resident Assistants (RAs) during orientation," Hall said. "I train the judicial board who deals with sexual assault issues and work with Panhellenic (Association). I centralize the training to make sure (I know) what the message is."
Hall also works with both the Oxford Police Department (OPD), MUPD, the Women's Center and Miami's counseling center. She also acts as a victim's advocate, providing victims of sexual assault someone to talk to during recovery.
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