With classes back in session, universities across the U.S., including here at UNM, are going into what is known as The Red Zone—a time where students’ health and safety are more at risk.

#ReclaimTheRed, sponsored by LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center, is a social media campaign designed to bring awareness to The Red Zone, or the first six weeks of fall semester where college campuses experience the most sexual assaults.

“We want our students and community members to be thoughtful of the conversation,” says Lisa Lindquist, director of LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center. “It’s about safeguarding our campus. We want our students to engage in healthy conversations.”

By reclaiming the color red, UNM students are encouraged to take a stand against The Red Zone and create a cultural shift against sexual misconduct on campus and in the community.

The campaign emphasizes that all Lobos, together, are responsible for respecting, protecting, and empowering one another in the mission to end campus sexual assault. 

Red Zone Breakdown

The Red Zone is a time period between August and November when there is a heightened risk of sexual assault among college students.

More than 50 percent of college sexual assaults occur during this time in either August, September, October, or November.

1st year college students are generally at a higher risk for unwanted sexual contact during their first semester of college.

The heightened risk of sexual assault during this time is most likely impacted by unhealthy norms that can exist within various social groups on campus, rather than students’ lack of familiarity with or exposure to college life or alcohol.

While sexual assault does occur in contexts like parties, students actually experience sexual assault across a range of forms, including in some non-party contexts like hanging out with friends.

The LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center was opened two years ago as the first stop to receive support and advocacy services in the aftermath of any form of crisis including but not limited to sexual assault/misconduct, hazing and hate bias related incidents.

Each letter in the word stands for a different way the UNM community is approaching sexual violence on campus: Respond, Educate, Support, Prevent, Empower, Consent and Train.  

Since its inception in 2015, the LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center has assisted hundreds of students with sexual misconduct advocacy. The Center also works closely with confidential/anonymous reporting locations including: the UNM Women’s Resource Center and the LGBTQ Resource Center.

Services include: 

  • 24/7 hotline with a licensed counselor available to take reports and provide customized resource referrals: 505.277.2911 
  • Advocacy and crisis intervention such as absence notifications, leave of absences, short-term loans, tuition appeals and communication with faculty and departments. 
  • ​Training and outreach—sexual assault prevention, active bystander intervention, healthy relationships, risk reduction and consent.  

To learn more about services, support, education and training and policies, visit the LoboRESPECT website.

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