Jania Harris
Staff Writer

Spring has officially arrived and while many Jackson State University students eagerly anticipate spending time outdoors enjoying the warmer weather, they are not looking forward to the pollen that comes with it.

For millions of people worldwide, the changing seasons bring about a different experience: seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever. 

Characterized by symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and coughing, seasonal allergies can significantly impact daily life and diminish overall well-being. Fortunately, there are several expert strategies and tips available to help manage and alleviate these bothersome symptoms. 

According to the Director of the JSU Health Center, Dr. Samuel Jones, Jr., students needing assistance with allergy symptoms is on the rise.

“Yes, we are seeing an uptick in patients seen for allergy symptoms. We are recommending over the counter products like Cetirizine (Zyrtec) or similar products and recommending affected students to minimize exposure to outdoor pollen-producing environments,” said Dr. Jones

Dr. Jones said that students can walk into the Health Center without an appointment to be evaluated for their symptoms. 

“We have a variety of over-the-counter as well as prescription medications available at no cost to students,” said Dr. Jones. 

JSU students suffering from seasonal allergies explained what they are doing to alleviate symptoms.

“I have to take a dang allergy shot once every other week called Dupixent, which helps to a certain extent. Not only does it help my allergies, but it also helps my asthma and eczema,” said Damien Terry, a freshman biomedical engineering student from Houston, Texas. “Additionally, I take Zyrtec every day.”

Trinidi Bennett, a freshman biology/pre-physical therapy major from Atlanta, Ga., explained how she manages allergies while at school. 

“I keep my Epi-pen and my allergy medicine with me. I also take time in the morning to see the pollen count and decide if I need to take extra medicine due to how high it’ll be,” said Bennett.

Travisha Garner, a freshman in biology/pre-dental major from West Helena, Ark., suggested that students take over-the-counter medicine during this time.

“My advice to anyone with allergies is to take some Benadryl. It gets the job done,” said Garner.

WebMD suggests these five tips for managing seasonal allergies:

1. Keep Up with Local Pollen Counts: Keeping up with local pollen counts is one of the first steps in managing seasonal allergies. Early in the morning and on windy days are usually when pollen counts are highest.

2. Invest in air filtration: Although it is hard to upgrade the air quality in a dorm room, one of the major tips in dealing with seasonal allergies is bettering indoor air quality. This is crucial for allergy sufferers, especially during the busiest pollen seasons.

3. Keep Windows Closed: Opening windows lets in fresh air, but it can also bring in allergens from outside, such as mold spores and pollen. It is best to keep doors and windows closed on days with high pollen counts to keep allergens out of your home.

4. Use Nasal Irrigation: Nasal irrigation is a straightforward but efficient method for treating sinus symptoms and congestion brought on by seasonal allergies. People can gently clear their nasal passages of allergies, mucus, and irritants by using a saline solution with a nasal rinse bottle or neti pot.

5. Speak with an Allergist: It may be essential to speak with an allergist or immunologist if a person has severe or ongoing allergy symptoms. Allergists can pinpoint certain triggers and provide individualized treatment regimens based on the results of allergy testing. 

Seasonal allergies can be debilitating, but with the correct tactics and expert advice, symptoms can be effectively managed and overall quality of life improved. 

Demond Lewis

HIV is a disease many people tend to focus on when it comes to STDs and STIs. However, there are other infections and diseases on college campuses that are just as harmful. Dr. Samuel Jones Jr., a practicing physician at the Health Center at Jackson State University, described these infections.

“The most common STI probably among college aged students is chlamydia. The reason why it is getting to be so common is because most persons don’t have symptoms. Males typically don’t have symptoms. Women who get it, maybe weeks after, will develop symptoms. The symptoms may go away, but the infection continues to do damage to the internal organs of the lady,” said Jones.

According to the Department of Health, the symptoms of chlamydia include a thick, cloudy discharge from the penis or vagina, painful bowel movements, and a burning sensation when urinating.

Jones added, “There are other STDs that are perhaps, to some degree, more serious long-term. HIV, but luckily it’s not common. But again, the risk is there, and there are a number of persons that manage to get exposed and become infected; and that requires a great deal of care.”

Students who feel that they are at risk of being infected can visit the Health Clinic on the JSU campus.

“We do have in conjunction with the health department a grant, and they allow us to do free chlamydia and gonorrhea testing on urine. Although it’s not quite as superior as the direct swab, it still is very adequate for a massive screening. We have it, and it’s free. On this campus, that has been very helpful in helping us to detect infections that we otherwise would not have been likely to detect,” said Jones.

Aleia Buford, a junior biology/pre-physical therapy major from Greenwood, Miss., says that it is all about being responsible.

“I feel like if you’re going to be sexually active, you should use protection, because you don’t know who everybody has been with. That prevents STDs,” said Buford.

Buford added, “Sometimes, depending on what kind of STD you get, it can be cured. Sometimes it can’t, you’re just stuck with it for life. I feel like everybody should just be aware of the symptoms of different STDs and how it can be transmitted.

Katie Hunt, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Atlanta, Ga., said she felt that it is about being honest with your sex partner.

“To be honest, when you’re dealing with somebody and you know you’re going to be active, that’s definitely a question you should ask. That’s nothing you should be ashamed of. If you have something, you have to let that person know, because it’s not fair to them,” said Hunt.

Hunt added, “If you do get it, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s yours now, so you have to take care of yourself.”

For more questions about STDs, STIs, or any other illnesses, students can visit the Health Center located across from the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center or call 601-979-2260. They are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

D’Raey Fogg

Recently in the Hinds county area, cases of syphilis have nearly doubled in recent years and many victims are unaware that they have the disease, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health.

State epidemiologist, Dr. Thomas E. Dobbs, III, who specializes in infectious disease medicine, states that, “Syphilis has become a major epidemic amongst young adults, primarily within the black community.”

Dr. Dobbs received a Doctorate of Medicine and a Master’s in Public Health Degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.  He is also Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Dobbs stated that most of the cases of syphilis he has seen in the state of Mississippi have been mostly in young adults 15-44 with 85 percent of those being males, and over 75 percent being black males.  These statistics are especially high in the homosexual community.

Naomi Sharp, an author for The Atlantic covering the increase in syphilis cases reported that, Nov. 17 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found that syphilis rates had risen for both genders in every region in 2014.  The rate of reported syphilis cases has increased 15 percent from 2013 to 2014, to 6.3 cases per 100,000 people.

Some of the common symptoms of this disease for males are painless genital ulcers that can also appear in the rectal cavity or even the mouth.  Females may not even notice these ulcers the majority of the time.

Although syphilis is 100% curable, if not treated properly and urgently, it could lead to dire consequences, including death.  If passed to newborns, there could be traumatic effects as well, which could lead to retardation, deafness and mental handicaps.  Cases have shown that infected mothers have passed syphilis to their child through pregnancy by 27.5percent, which results in 11.6 cases per 100,000 people.  Some people go several months before even being diagnosed.

Dr. Dobbs feels that young people in the affected age group need to be aware of the rise in syphilis cases.

“I want young adults to understand the importance of safe sex if they feel the need to participate,” said Dobbs. “I encourage people not only to practice safe sex but to be aware of all diseases.”

In 2014, Mississippi had the highest rate of chlamydia and gonorrhea than any other state in the United States and syphilis was found in blacks 15 times the rate as of white victims.

If sexually active, you can visit your local clinic or any healthcare provider periodically.  There is a free clinic located in the Jackson Medical Mall, Suite 351 called.  Students can also visit the County Health Department, Suite 411 also located in the Medical Mall.  The Medical Mall is located at 350 West Woodrow Wilson Avenue.

Students can also visit the JSU Health Services Center for testing options.

Rashundra Powell

Staying healthy and fit during college matriculation is a goal of many students. Unfortunately  lack of motivation and health knowledge hinders many from reaching these goals. When school starts, many students become so stressed out due to the new environment and heavy work-loads that their health and fitness routines suffer.

Here are five tips to help students stay healthy and fit in college:

Tip 1: Eat Breakfast
 A lot of students skip this step every morning even though it is no secret that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast will not only keep you more alert in class, but it will also prevent binging throughout the day. Even if it is only a cereal bar, or simply a piece of fruit, anything is better than nothing at all.

Tip 2: Healthy Snacks
Students who live on campus will usually keep snacks in their dorms for to snack on during homework and study session or simply to munch on when relaxing.  Instead of the usual chips, cookies, cakes, and sodas try keeping more healthy snacks such as, fruit, vegetables,  and snacks that are low in sugar and fat. And most importantly, drink lots of water.

Tip 3: Stay Active
Almost every college has a recreational center. Jackson State University’s Recreation Complex has a number of activities for students to participate in including boot camps, aerobics, intramural sports, Zumba, cycling and much more.  Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.  Moreover, students who become involved in sports have a major advantage in staying shape.

Tip 4: Avoid Stress
Stress is a major problem when it comes to getting in shape. Stress can cause sugar and fat cravings. Stress can also cause depression which leads to inactivity. Physical activity and eating healthy can prevent stress.

Tip 5: Ask For Help
If you need help with staying fit and healthy, ask for it.  JSU has several programs available to help you.  If stress is your issue, contact the Latasha Norman Center for help. If you need a fitness routine, the Recreation Complex has trainers available. And there is much more help available, but you will not know until you ask.

Jhade’ Norris

The month of October is approaching which means flu season is right around the corner. Although getting a flu shot or the flu is most likely the last thing on a college students’ mind, it is very important.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death.

Seasonal influenza vaccines are often available but fewer than half of Americans will get the vaccines according to the CDC.

Getting the flu vaccine prevents a widespread outbreak on college campuses as well as in communities and other places heavily populated with people.

“We give flu shots every year.  We order the flu shots and the only problem we have is that students don’t take advantage of getting the flu shot,” said Ollie L. Harper, nurse practitioner and director of nurses at the Jackson State University Health Center said,

“When students don’t get flu shots or make excuses not to get one, it increases their chances of getting sick, students need to consider this  because they’re living in close proximity with other students,” said Harper.

Nurse Harper also stated that because students do not know what illnesses other students may have, preventative measures should be taken to avoid getting sick.

Harper stated that some students and people in general are not receptive to the fact that they do not know what strain of the virus they will be given in the vaccine.

Jarvis Generette, a junior mass communication major from Jackson, Miss. stated that although he is uncomfortable with the idea of the actual flu vaccine being introduced to his body, he gets the shot to avoid illness.

“I do get flu shots. I just do not think they are important and I am uncomfortable with the idea of the flu virus being injected to me,” said Generette.

Other students feel the benefits outweigh the negatives.

“Flu shots are important and I make sure that I get mine yearly,” said Teria Dase, a junior communicative disorders major from Heidelberg, Miss.

The price for the average flu shot is $25. The Jackson State University Health Center offers the vaccine for the same price and students can pay for it out of pocket or have it charged to their accounts. You can also get the flu vaccine from your local drug store or doctor’s office.

For more information regarding getting the flu vaccine from JSU Health Services, call 601-979-2260.

Elissa McCool

While scrolling down your timeline on Instagram or Facebook, you are bound to see a voluptuous woman with thousands of likes under her picture coupled with pairs of heart-eyed emojis.  Curvaceous women are all over social media and television.  Instead of stick thin models, we now see women with ‘Coke bottle’ figures.  The standard of beauty is once again changing and women across the nation are doing anything to achieve their ideal figure.  One of the latest crazes is waist-training.

Waist-training is far from a new practice.  Corsets began gaining popularity in the 16th century.  Waist-training, also known as tight-lacing, is the practice of wearing a tightly-fitted corset for hours at a time to shrink your waist line.  Corsets in the Victorian era were popular for emphasizing the curves and hourglass figure of a woman.  Corsets were also worn to straighten the posture of women.  At the end of the Victorian era, the trend of sporting corsets died due to rumors of dangerous affects to a woman’s body.

In today’s society, more women are starting to follow this celebrity-promoted craze.  Various celebrities have posted pictures of themselves promoting their corset.  Kim Kardashian sported her corset on Instagram and gives credit to waist-training for her popular shape.  While these corsets do cinch your waist and make it appear that you have a flat stomach, maybe the practice of wearing a corset all day fell off from the Victorian era for a reason.

According to weight loss experts like Dr. Jyotindra Shah, the lack of oxygenation that can result from waist-training can contribute to metabolic syndrome, which can ironically cause weight gain.  These are huge risks for a temporary look.

Not only can the corset bruise your skin, it can also bruise your internal organs and restrict your breathing.  Wearing the corset puts your ribs, liver, spleen, and kidney at risk.

Some Jackson State University students feel waist-training is not worth the risk.

“I feel as if it is unnecessary, because your waist will only be small for a short period of time and you can eventually damage your ribs.  I feel that it is a waste of time and money.  Waist-trainers are typically around $50.  No, thank you!” said Aerial Simmons, sophomore biology major from Jackson, Miss.

Christian Marshall, a sophomore finance major from Columbus, Ohio, offered a male’s perspective on the matter.

“I believe that waist-training is fine in order to achieve a better figure.  It is a woman’s personal choice if she wants to use waist-trainers and I respect that.  However, I believe if a woman uses a waist-trainer and doesn’t tell her significant other, it is wrong,” said Marshall.

Most weight loss experts agree that the best way to achieve the ideal figure is to practice healthy eating and frequent workouts to obtaining your fitness goals.

Kori Conerly

There is a man in the mall. He is of average height, weight, and appearance. As you walk past him he screams “BISCUITS!” What is your first reaction? What’s his problem? You keep walking and notice that he does it again when a man walks past him, and then again when a child does the same.

This man is not weird, crazy, or any other synonymous word you can think of. He has Tourette Syndrome (TS).

The classic stereotype of a person with TS is that they yell swear words at random moments. It is not your fault these stereotypes exist; this is all that you see. Take for example the movie “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo.” Deuce, the main character, is sitting at a baseball game with his date that has TS, and the entire game she is randomly shouting swear words. While this was comical it was not an accurate description of the behavior of all TS sufferers. Not everyone with TS have the same symptoms.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder categorized by involuntary, repetitive actions or vocalizations better known as tics.

Symptoms of TS are typically noticed between the ages of 3 and 9. A majority of the people with this condition experience their worst tics during their early teenage years. As they get older, the tics may become milder until they are able to lead normal lives. However, TS can also be a chronic disorder that lasts throughout a lifetime. It just depends on the person and their methods of suppressing their symptoms.

There are two categories of tics: simple and complex. Simple tics are usually the more mild effects: eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, throat clearing, or grunting. These tics are usually subtle.

Complex tics, on the other hand, are very distinct and often coordinated. That does not mean that a person tics consciously when a specific action happens. It means that when that action in particular does happen, it triggers their tic.

Take, for instance, the man at the mall. He yelled the word “biscuits” whenever someone walked by him. In this case, the man’s tic would be yelling “biscuits” and the action that triggered it would be someone passing by his frame of vision. Examples of complex tics range from jumping, kicking, echolalia (repeating words), and the ever famous coprolalia (uttering socially unacceptable words) (Tourette).

There is no cure for TS, but just like any other neurological disorder (ADHD, OCD, etc.) there are medications and techniques to lessen its severity. Tics are typically more severe in the presence of excitement, anxiety, or nervousness. They are notably less severe in calm and relaxing environments.

There is no way to control TS. There is therapy and medication but ultimately the only thing to do is try and camouflage or suppress it and hope that it decreases in severity as adulthood approaches.

Alexis Anderson

Some college students’ definition of a good time may include something more than good music and hanging out with friends. An alarming number of college students engage in binge drinking, a dangerous addiction that prompts serious health concerns for young adults.

The Center for Disease Control reports that about 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinks. One in six U.S. adults binge drinks about four times a month, consuming about eight drinks per binge

Binge drinking is associated with many health problems, such as:

•Alcohol poisoning

•Sexually transmitted diseases

•Unintended pregnancy

•High blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases

•Liver disease

•Neurological damage

•Poor control of diabetes

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks, and when women consume 4 or more drinks, in about 2 hours. The NIAAA also explains that two out of five male and female students take part in binge drinking.

“The legal drinking age is 21, so everyone should comply with that law. It’s not a wise decision to participate in binge drinking or driving impaired,” said freshman mass communications major Kennedy Brown from Memphis, Tenn. “I think underage drinking shouldn’t happen. The health effects are severe for those who aren’t mature enough to drink alcohol. Some people drink just to fit in with the crowd, some others do it due to peer pressure.”

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), there are several reminders of the severe effects of alcohol that may begin in preteens and extend into young adulthood, ages 18-20 years old. For example, research studies found that when college students engage in binge drinking, they are at risk of failing school, destroying property, or getting an DUI.

Fortunately, when it comes to college campuses, Mississippi schools are not among those noted as party schools where alcohol drinking is common.

The Princeton Review released its 2013-2014 annual ranking the top party schools in the nations,  based on survey questions related to students use of drugs and alcohol, and the top five included: University of Iowa, University of California/Santa Barbara, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champion, West Virginia University and Syracuse University

Even though binge drinking is more common in other states, underage drinking is considered widespread in Mississippi. According to http://www.udetc.org, approximately 131,000 underage customers in Mississippi drink each year and in 2009 consumed 12.6 percent of all alcohol sold in the state

Earnestine McNeal-Brown, director of JSU Interdisciplinary Alcohol/Drug Studies Center, believes that early conversations and open discussions could impact teenagers and college-age students’ views about the problems of alcohol abuse.

“The number students that were referred to the center has decreased since last year; we only see only 8-10 students at our center annually,” said Brown. “We conduct screenings to discover any problems for students who are referred to us. If it is extremely problematic, we contact advance drug rehab centers. The center does offer 6-8 weeks of short term counseling for students.”

Some JSU students believe that students should be cognizant of how much alcohol they consume

Derricka Vereen, a senior physics major from Germany, said: “I know students will ignore the age rule when it comes to drinking. If the drinking age is 21 years old, then every college student should follow the law. They should keep in mind that excessive drinking can have life-long effects.”

For more information, please contact the Interdisciplinary Alcohol/Drug Center at (601) 979-2350.

Alexis Anderson
Staff Writer

Spring has officially arrived and while many Jackson State University students are looking forward to the promise of warmer weather from the yellow sunshine, another yellow substance have many running inside for shelter.

Yes, the trees are sprouting, the flowers are blooming and the grass is growing. This all means one thing, the pollen is out in full effect and allergy season is upon us.  Along with acquiring sun-dresses, shorts, and sandals, many people have added tissues and medications to the list of must-haves for the spring.

According to weather.com, Jackson, Miss. has measured in at a whopping 9.9 on a scale of 12.0 for pollen levels this week and currently ranks number 5 on the 2014 Allergy Capitals list, which is a decrease compared to ranking number 1 for spring allergies last year.  The site states that the harsh winter will contribute to a bad allergy season.

Dr. Samuel Jones, physician with JSU Health Services Center, said so far he has not seen an increase in the number of patients coming in complaining about allergies.

He also questions the designation of Jackson, as the 5th worst place to live for allergy sufferers.

“I question how that designation came about,” Jones said. “I’m not sure Mississippi is a greater risk for people with allergies. Sure the weather is milder here, maybe more flowers, pollen, less concrete, etc., but I don’t think allergy season here is a major public health crisis.”

Some students who suffer during the spring season might not agree with Dr. Jones.

“I have bad allergies. I take Benadryl and Zyrtec regularly for my sinuses. I try my best to stay away from pollen,” said David Palmer, a junior business administration from Flora, Miss.

Dwayne Evans, a senior social science/ethnic studies major from Jackson, Miss. said, “When the season starts, I have to buy some sinus medicine to control my allergies. My eyes will turn red and my nostrils will get stuffy from the pollen. It’s impossible to stay away from the pollen, because it is everywhere outside. You just can’t avoid it.”

Jacqueline Childs, a senior business administration major from Chicago, Ill., stated: “My son and I have pretty bad allergies around this time of the year. I take vitamins and stock plenty of tissue for my children. My family and I only use organic products, so we should be fine.”

Dr. Jones has seen students who come to the health center with pre-existing allergy conditions requesting they continue with their prescribed shots, but be believes most patients can be treated with prescription sinus-related medicine or over-the-counter remedies.

According to http://health.usnews.com, this list of six allergy treatments and prevention strategies may help you find some relief.

1.  Clean out your nose

2. Try an over-the-counter allergy medicine

3. Consider a prescription nasal spray or eye drops

4.  Use decongestants

5.  Close windows and turn on the air conditioning

6. Using immunotherapy drops or/and tablets

Jones added that rarely would he recommend an allergist unless someone suffers from a debilitating condition associated with allergies, such as they can’t have a pet or can’t work in certain places because of things like carpet fibers, etc.  Since they are specialists, allergists can be expensive.

After you have tried all the over-the-counter meds and home remedies and your misery still persists, it may be time to consider a specialist. According to the Mississippi Asthma and Allergy Clinic, individuals should see an allergist when:

• Your allergies are causing symptoms such as chronic sinus infections, nasal congestion or difficulty breathing.

•   You experience hay fever or other allergy symptoms several months out of the year.

• Antihistamines and over-the-counter medications do not control your allergy symptoms or create unacceptable side effects, such as drowsiness.

•   Your asthma or allergies are interfering with your ability to carry on day-to-day activities.

• Your asthma or allergies decrease the quality of your life.

• You are experiencing warning signs of serious asthma such as:

o You sometimes have to struggle to catch your breath.

o You often wheeze or cough, especially at night or after exercise.

o   You are frequently short of breath or feel tightness in your chest.

o  You have previously been diagnosed with asthma, and you have frequent asthma attacks even though you are taking asthma medication.

Candace Chanbers

“Help me, I’m Amanda Berry … I’ve been kidnapped, and I’ve been missing for 10 years. And I’m here. I’m free now.” These words were spoken as Amanda Berry told 911 operators of her kidnapping in the hands of Ariel Castro. For 10 years, Berry, along with two other young women, were exploited and sexually assaulted. The girls escaped May 6, 2013.

The month of April has been recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, 1 in 71 men have been raped in their lifetime. Nearly one in two women and one in five men have experienced other forms of sexual violence at some point in their lives.

Forms of sexual assault include unwanted sexual contact and unwanted sexual experiences, such as verbal sexual harassment. Assault can be committed by a family member, colleague, friend, past or current intimate partner, a person in power, or a stranger. Victims of sexual assaults often experience emotional trauma and long term physical and mental health problems. Assaults can happen to anyone.

The federal government, agencies, and organizations are working together to support survivors and bring awareness to sexual violence.  President Barack Obama signed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act on March 7, 2014. The legislation requires states to develop programs to assist victims of sexual assault, more training for law enforcement, more informational programs on the topic of sexual awareness on college campuses, and established protection for sexual assault victims in federally subsidized housing.

The general public can assist the government in its efforts to assist those who have been sexually assaulted. Some ways include providing moral support by establishing a safe place to talk and listen and encouraging a loved one to seek professional help.

King James Simpson, a senior graphic design major from St. Louis, Mo. said, “I would try to comfort her first. Let her know ‘I’m not against you’. It could have happened to anybody. I’ve got sisters. I try to let them know how to protect themselves as much as they can. I definitely wouldn’t judge them.  I would try my best to give her confidence back. Stay positive and stay strong and help her out as much as I can.”

Ke’Sia Readus, a junior political science from Canton, Miss. said, “I would tell him or her to ask God for strength, and to find someone like a counselor that they could talk to without them being afraid, just to express what has happened.”

King Green, a senior mass communications major from Clarksdale, Miss. said, “If it was one of my friend ladies that I know had been sexually assaulted, first I’d just let her know that I appreciate her even allowing her to express it to me. Then, after she expresses it to me, I’ll ask her if she wants to talk about it. I’ll try to see what she feels needs to be done. After that, I’ll try to let her know that ‘everything is going to be good, everything will be alright, if you know that everything will be alright.’”

If in immediate danger, victims of sexual assault should call 911. The Latasha Norman Center for Counseling and Disability Services can also provide assistance. The contact number for the National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-HOPE. It is available 24 hours a day and is free and confidential.