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By Justin Lafeen
So you thought that only women were affected by the "Red Zone?" Think again. The Red Zone is the time when college women are most at risk to experience sexual assault and/or date rape. It and begins with the school year and lasts until November. As part of Red Zone Week activities, USU Sexual Assault and Anti Violence Information sponsored a panel discussion of six male students to talk about how sexual assault and date rape affect the lives of men. While men are generally viewed as the predators in such incidents, "the brutal truth of sexual assault should not hush the voices of men," said Dr. Scott Bates, assistant professor in the USU psychology department and moderator of the panel. "We can all be part of the solution." The informal discussion format allowed participants to share their feelings on traditional dating and the generally dominant role of men in personal relationships. Jamal Jaber, president of the Psi Sigma Phi multicultural fraternity, voiced his disagreement with traditional dating, saying, "A guy goes and basically buys a girl's company and there is no expressed written consent that you guys are ever gonna go out again, I mean you just spent your money – your $30– on a girl you might never see again -- to me that's bad financial management." Statesman Editor in Chief Jacob Moon, the only married man on the panel said, "Dating is somewhat of a tennis match, and it doesn't matter who puts out the first move, whether it's the guy or the girl. Each person has to be playing off the other. You serve the ball and then if they don't return it then you don't go any further." During the discussion Dr. Bates noted that, "All kinds of sexual behavior – even kissing –is almost always initiated by the man." "Sex can change things very quickly," Greek Council President Amir Malek said of the need for physicality during a relationship, "I would rather find out before I take that oath -- 'til death do us part' -- I would rather know before hand than find out after I get married and be like, that is not what I expected, not what I wanted." The panel also touched on the impact of the dominant family-oriented culture in Utah. Sigma Chi President Garrett Blonquist lamented, "I get really nervous asking girls out on a date [here]. I'm not in the market to get married right now, but that is what the big thing is here in Utah, and I just don't want that to be an issue." Men are traditionally the initiators in personal relationships, but according to Mike Ahmad, Aggie basketball player, "Girls are more aggressive these days. I'm from California, and it's a lot different [in Utah]." The panel was chosen from recommendations from Student Services, in consideration of the panelists' availability and willingness to be a part of a public forum. "Had we randomly selected men from campus, we would have heard a different voice," said Dr. Bates. Four of the six participants were from the USU Greek community. "I think the key thing is that sexual assault has an impact in the lives of men that would never dream of committing a sexual assault, it adds this layer of 'Now what?' and 'Now I'm nervous,'" said Bates. For more information about the Red Zone and related programs, call the USU Women's Center, 797-1728. MS |
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