Situational awareness course great teen resource

Young women are statistically the most likely to be the victims of sexual assault. That’s the unfortunate, harsh reality they face.

Consider:

Women ages 18 to 24 are most often the victims of sexual assault.

An American is sexually assaulted every 107 seconds.

About two-thirds of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows.

Fortunately, some teen girls have a great opportunity to arm themselves with information and skills to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

A “Situational Awareness for Everyday” course is being offered for free to senior girls at Columbus East High School on April 22. Julie Quesenbery, East’s school resource officer from Columbus Police Department, will lead the class.

The course is divided into four sections:

Indicators that a sexual assault is about to occur.

Safe partying.

What incoming freshmen should expect from a college setting.

When physical force is appropriate and self defense.

The curriculum is designed to create a positive atmosphere where young women learn to be seriously prepared. The material also is extremely relevant because the statistics about young women and sexual assault are disturbing.

That’s why offering the course is a great idea.

Indiana State Police Master Trooper Chris Clancy is to be commended for suggesting the course, and the police who are conducting it are providing a valuable safety service to young women to prepare them for what they might encounter.

Senior girls at East should take advantage of the upcoming opportunity. And, hopefully the course can be expanded in the future to teach more teen girls.

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A “Situational Awareness for Everyday” course is being offered April 22 for senior girls at Columbus East High School. More information is available through the East guidance office and on the school’s website, bcsc.k12.in.us/Domain/74

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