NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

9/21/2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Students at Northwestern State University are taking a more active role in promoting campus safety.

NSU's Student Safety Committee has started a "Mission: Demon Safety" campaign to give students helpful information. The committee is composed of students, faculty and staff and developed Mission: Demon Safety to produce campus safety awareness efforts; establish communication among campus constituents; promote personal responsibility; provide campus updates on safety information and encourage discussion among campus leaders to improve safety.

"Student members have been active members of the committee and have chosen what we would focus on," said committee chair Leah Lentz, a staff member in the Office of Counseling and Career Services. "Our objective is to create a safer campus for our students."

During September, students are being encouraged to carry their Campus IDs whenever they are on campus. Student who have their identification cards will receive a specially designed pen.

Three programs on sexual assault will be held Oct. 5-8. "Drawing the Shades" a series of performances to raise awareness of sexual assault and rape and how to deal with situations, will be presented Oct. 5 in Theatre West.

A seminar for men, NSU Men Against Rape, is scheduled for Oct. 6.

On Oct. 6-8, RADS: Rape Aggression Defense Systems, will be presented. This program is for women only and informs them how to reduce the risks and prevent or avoid an attack. Participants will also learn how to become more aware of surroundings and the dangers of "date rape" drugs. Instructors will also teach hands-on techniques.

This class will be offered at the Health and Human Performance Building on Oct. 6-7 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Oct. 8 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Women are encouraged to attend all three days to benefit fully from the program. Those participating should wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes. Those in the class will receive a manual, T-shirt and refreshments.

"Our intentions are to arm women with the knowledge of self-defense, whether it is the crime preventions tips or defensive tactics," said Cpl. Jenny Parker of the Natchitoches Police Department, the program's lead instructor. "I hope women will attend this class or find some type of self-defense program so they can develop their options of self-defense in the event of an attack."

This program has been offered locally by the Natchitoches Police Department since 2002 and now the Natchitoches Sheriff's Office has been added as a partner to strengthen the program.

For more information, call Lentz at 357-5621.

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