Heard of the RED ZONE?

The first few months on a college campus can be challenging for students, particularly as freshmen. It is a time of transition when students are excited and sometimes nervous about meeting new friends and exploring their new city and what it has to offer. As Greek life starts their selection processes in August and football weekends present opportunities to get out and party in the early Fall, they start engaging in activities and behaviors that are sometimes viewed as “rights of passage” for college students. With this newfound freedom and without parental supervision to hold them accountable to curfews, students become more vulnerable to sexual assaults. This time frame between August and November has been termed the RED ZONE on college campuses.

You can prepare yourself and help your friends by learning ways to navigate the RED ZONE with some safety strategies provided to you by the LSU Lighthouse Program. The Lighthouse Program provides free and confidential interpersonal violence prevention, support, and advocacy in the campus community. The program assists student-survivors of sexual assault, interpersonal violence, stalking, and harassment regardless of how long ago the incident occurred.

For support and guidance throughout your college career as an LSU student-athlete, reach out to your resources. It’s often the hardest step, but the most rewarding.

LSU Sport Psychology & Counseling GeauxBeWell@lsu.edu