Sexual assault least reported crime, officer says
Campus lieutenant advises students to pay attention to surroundings
by Laura Vatalaro, reporter

    Sexual assault is one of the most violent and least reported crimes in America, a SE Campus police officer said.

   Lt. Grady Patterson said in the past three years, TCC has had three reported forcible sexual offenses, two of these crimes occurring on NE Campus.

   Patterson led a seminar recently on NE campus to prevent future offenses.

   “The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to pay attention to your surroundings and watch what is going on,” he said.

   “Hold your head up; be aware at all times, and listen to your gut. If your gut tells you that someone or something isn’t right, get out of there immediately and go to a safe place,” he said.

   The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act federally mandated this seminar.

   All TCC campuses have copies of the Annual Security Report for students and faculty to educate themselves on crime statistics and campus police requirements.

   “I feel it is very wise to have this seminar on all college campuses,” Michelle Martinez, sophomore on NE Campus, said.

   “I am displeased that more people didn’t come, though. We go out; we go to clubs; we do our thing, and it is good to be aware. The only way to be aware is to come to things like this seminar,” she said.

   Only 14 percent of all reported college sexual assault cases occur on campus.

   Most of the off-campus rapes are referred to as acquaintance rape, sexual assault committed by a casual friend.

   Only 5 percent of these cases involve a weapon.

   Patterson said an acquaintance attacker will get to know someone well enough so that the victim will not report the incident. The officer said 84 percent of sexual assault offenses are committed by acquaintances.

   Date rape drugs are also a factor in sexual assaults. The law has recently changed to include occurrences when the victim is unable to resist because of drugs such as Rohypnol and GHB.

   An offense is considered sexual assault when the victim is attacked without consent by force, is threatened with physical force or is unaware of the sexual assault occurring.

   “The best way for the police department to prevent crime is to be visible,” Patterson said.

   “Any time you come to campus, you should see a patrol unit somewhere out on the campus. We really stress visibility. If an officer is not around somewhere, the criminal is going to see an easy target,” he said.

   The criminal will have a tendency to go somewhere else if he sees police, Patterson said.

   “Students feel safer when they know that we are out there watching and listening,” he said.

   Patterson also offered advice on preventing assaults.

   “Protecting yourself against strangers is a good way to prevent sexual assault. The best way to prevent an attack is by being aware of your surroundings, walking with confidence, sticking to well-lit areas at night, following your instincts and always reporting any suspicious behavior to the police,” he said.

   Patterson said the main goal of the police is to ensure people can come safely to any campus, take classes, leave campus and get home safely.

   Anyone who needs help while on campus should call the police dispatch number, 817-515-4570. Students reporting suspicious activity are a key factor in preventing campus crime of any kind, Patterson said.