Posted on Sept. 3: Students, watch out for each other

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/campaign_coaster_200.jpg” caption=”Campaign coaster”]An important message was heard today. “Watch out for each other.” It's simple, but it can make a big difference in a university student's life.

It's the key message of a rape drug awareness campaign launched by a coalition of McMaster and Hamilton agencies.

Last year, there was an increase in reported cases of suspected druggings and sexual assaults, and this year community agencies are prepared with a public awareness campaign directed at university and college students.

“The timing of this campaign is crucial,” says Jane Mulkewich, human rights and equity services officer at McMaster, who adds it coincides with the Month Without Violence in September. “It's the time of the year of the greatest risk.”

McMaster's Office of Human Rights and Equity Services saw a dramatic increase in the number of suspected drug-related sexual assault cases last year. They weren't alone.

According to Diana Tikasz, co-ordinator of the Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Care Centre with Hamilton Health Sciences, 25 per cent of the total number of clients they saw in 2002, experienced suspected drug-related sexual assaults. This was an increase of 15 per cent over the year before. If alcohol-related sexual assaults were included in this number, she says the increase would be even more dramatic. “If alcohol were a factor, it would be slightly more than double that.”

To help raise awareness for the campaign, Lakeport Brewing Corporation has sponsored the production of 50,000 bar coasters to be distributed in area pubs, along with posters and other information. The coaster says, “Rape Drugs are out there. We don't want them in here! Trust your instincts. Anyone who seems drunk after drinking little or no alcohol may have been drugged. Watch out for each other”.

Of the coasters, 24,000 will be distributed at the MSU campus pub, Quarters, local bar establishments in the Westdale area and the Mohawk Collage bar, Arnie. The remaining 24,000 will be distributed throughout the Hamilton area.

The Rape Drug Awareness Working Group includes the Hamilton Police Service, the Sexual Assault Centre, McMaster Security, the Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Care Centre at McMaster hospital, McMaster Campus Health Centre and Student Health Education Centre and McMaster Human Rights and Equity Services.

Photo caption: These Lakeport bar coasters will be distributed in area pubs, along with posters and other information.