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University of Regina launches anti-sexual assault campaign

The University of Regina has introduced a Red Zone campaign.
Alcohol increases the risk of sexual assault and thats why the University of Regina introduced the Red Zone campaign. (CBC)

Each September the University of Regina's outdoor academic green is transformed into a place to party withmusic, games and drinks.

The student's union organizes the week-long bash. The group polled students this past year and learned the festivities have become less about alcohol indulgence.

"We were very focused this year to have a good balance, because not all the new students can drink."Haris Khan, a representative from the University of Regina Student's Union (URSU). "We wanted it to be open for everybody."

University of Regina spokesperson Costa Maragosexplains that thenew Red Zone campaign was introduced this week to create awareness.

"There's a period of time, and statistically speaking at campuses across the country, where's there's a greater risk of sexual assault," said Maragos.

"That's from the beginning of the fall semester to around the end of November."

More than 50 per centof college sexual assaults occur in August through November. Women who are victimized during college are most likely to be victimized early on in their college tenure, according to research provided by the Red Zone campaign.

The campaign encourages victims of sexual assault and friends of victims to report concerns, regardless how much time has passed.

The school also offers a mobileapplication for students, whichincludes instant contact to campus security andcounseling services for those in-need.

Clarifications

  • A previous version of this story stated alcohol increases the risk of sexual assault and that's why the University of Regina introduced the new Red Zone campaign this week. The story has been clarified to state the campaign was introduced this week to create awareness about the Red Zone, which is a term used to describe a time period in the fall semester when students are statistically more at risk for sexual assault. The Red Zone lasts from the start of school until the end of November.
    Sep 11, 2017 12:43 PM CT

With files from CBC News