About 192,000 people reported that they were sexually assaulted in the United States in 2005, according to the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assaults Web site.

Here are some useful tips that you can follow so that you don’t become one of the people effected by sexual assault. These tips and more can be found at wcasa.org or uwplatt.edu/police/crimeprevent.html.

• Be alert and be aware. Most assaults are done by someone the victim knows.

• Alcohol is a common factor in most sexual assaults. Never separate from your friends at a party and always have a safe and easy exit in mind.

• One in five men are victims of sexual assault. Due to gender stereotypes hardly any of them come forward.

• Know where to seek help for a friend. Offer them support but never cut them down, criticize, tell them what they ‘should have done,’ or blow them off. You may be the only one who can
help.