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As summer starts to come to a close and fall begins to peek around the corner we enter that dreaded-by-some-and-highly-an- ticipated-by-others season known as Back to School. Ironically some of the people who have looked forward to this season in past years may be dreading it this year because for them Back to School is taking on a whole new meaning. I am talking about parents who are going to be moving their young adult into a college dormitory across town across the state or possibly across the country. This milestone comes with many conflicting emotions as well as the need for a new blue- print for parentchild relations. These young- sters will no longer be under the watchful eye of parents and obligated to return home each night by curfew. The new freedom for these college students and simultaneous loss of control for their parents re- sults in a period of adjustment for all. There are serious issues to be addressed regarding responsibili- ty communication safety man- aging money keeping a dorm room clean handling ones laun- dry load homesickness and be- ing a respectful and courteous roommate. One of the most important issues we can stress with our children going off to college is personal safety. This safety umbrella covers many facets of life traveling to and from college meeting new people going to parties where alcohol and possibly drugs are readily available sexual experimen- tation and living independently for the first time. This can be a terrifying time for parents of new college students especially for those us of with control issues One of the most alarming issues facing col- lege campuses today is the rising occurrence of acquaintance rape. Bestselling author Jon Krakauers book Missoula Rape and the Justice System in a College Town details the rash of sexual assaults that were reported on the campus of the University of Montana be- tween January 2008 and May 2012. While this book focuses on one campus only the issues Krakauer brings into the spotlight are univer- sal to campuses across the country. Krakauer tells us Acquaintance rape is a crime like no other. Unlike burglary or em- bezzlement or any other felony the victim often comes under more suspicion than the alleged perpetrator. This is especially true if the victim is sexually active if she had been drinking prior to the assault and if the man she accuses plays on a popular sports team. In Missoula Krakauer focuses on several in- cidents where the alleged perpetrators were talented football players on the beloved Uni- versity of Montana Grizzlies team. The victims felt great reluctance to come forward because of the popularity of these athletes and the pub- lic scrutiny they were sure to endure upon fil- ing charges and seeking justice. Further the victims that did muster the courage to report these violations were often treated with hesita- tion by authorities who stressed to the victims how difficult rape is to prove and how likely the victim is to be dragged through the mud in the community as well as on social media. What parents can take away from Missoula is the absolute ne- cessity of talking to your children about this issue. Al- cohol consumption is so of- ten entwined with the stories of acquaintance rape that it is also imperative to address the consequences of drinking to excess. Kraukauer delivers sta- tistics that show 1 in 4 women in college today are victims of rape and that 90 of all college rapes are acquaintance rape not stranger rape. Like any oth- er violent crime victims often suffer from devastating psycho- logical damage for years to come. Krakauer estimates that 50 of rape victims suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder a higher rate that soldiers returning from war. The perpetrator can be subject to incarceration or other judicial punishment forced to register as a sex offender and often has to live with a sullied reputation even if not convicted. The families of both the victims and the perpetra- tors also undergo intense public scrutiny and have to deal with their loved ones pain humil- iation and stigmatization. Parents who are sending their children off to college must inform both their boys and their girls about acquaintance rape and its devastat- ing effects. While Missoula is a documentation of a group of isolated circumstances stories like these are occurring on many college cam- puses. With a little education and knowledge maybe we can start to see the number of these incidents decrease as we send the next genera- tion of college students off into university life. college students and simultaneous loss of control for their parents re- sults in a period of adjustment for all. There are serious issues to be - - aging money keeping a dorm What parents can take away from also imperative to address the consequences of drinking to excess. Kraukauer delivers sta tistics that show 1 in 4 women in college today are victims of rape and that 90 of all college rapes are acquaintance rape not stranger rape. Like any oth er violent crime victims often suffer from devastating psycho logical damage for years to come. The National ChildTraumatic Stress Network offers the following tips for preventing acquaintance rape Expect respect and keep away from people who dont show you respect. Be clear about your limits let the other person know what you want and dont want to do. You have the right to change your mind to sayno or to agree to some sexual activities and not to others. Dont allow a person to touch you if it makes you uncomfortable. If your limits are reached or you sense dangerspeakyourmindandactimme- diately. Make a scene if necessary. Avoid excessive drinking or drugs. They reduce your ability to think and communicate clearly. Being drunk or high does not give anyone permission to assault you. Pouryourownbeverageandkeep it in sight. Date rape drugs such as Rohypnol GHB or Ketamine also called Special K can often be undetectable and cause effects such as sleepiness blacking out delirium amnesia sei- zures dizziness and nausea. Donthangoutinplacesthatkeep you isolated from others. Although you may feel you can take care of your- self it is always wise to be careful. Trust your instincts. If you feel that a person is not trustworthy or a situa- tion is unsafe leave. Have a back-up plan. For exam- ple if you are going out to a party in a different neighborhood make sure someone you trust knows where you are going. Have a person you can call tocomeandgetyouifyouneedtoleave without your original ride. Bestselling author Jon Krakauer gives a stark powerful meticulously reported narrative about a series of sexual assaults at the University of Montana stories that illuminate the human drama behind the national plague of campus rape.