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Schools, parents, and student leaders can take a variety of steps to help raise awareness of the issue of sexual assault against teens and help prevent its occurrence.

Sexual assault is a crime of epidemic proportions in American society and internationally. As many as 1 in 12 Americans will experience some type of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault in their lifetime. On average, a sexual assault takes place about once every six minutes in the United States. Sexual assault most often takes place between people who know each other.

A 1983 study of teenagers showed that 97% knew their attackers. And teenagers are a key population when it comes to this issue. In 1988, the risk of rape for women ages 16-24 was four times higher than for any other age group. By 1996, a study of rape victims showed that 22% were under age 12, 32% were from 12-17, 29% were 18-24, and 16% were older than 24 at the time of the rape. That demographic shift tells only part of the story. In a 1988 study, about 75% of men and 55% of women involved in acquaintance rapes had been drinking or taking drugs just before the assault. Against this backdrop, schools, parents, and students can and must do more to create environments that are educationally supportive on this issue.

School leaders can take a variety of steps to help raise awareness of the issue of sexual assault and prevent its occurrence. Information about sexual assault and what to do if someone is assaulted should be readily available at the school. The information might be in pamphlet form and should outline the support network available at your particular school. Hotline and crisis information might also be displayed in women's bathroom stalls.

Rape and sexual assault education and prevention programs should be held throughout the school year and reach as many student groups as possible. Activity advisers and sports coaches should sponsor such programs for their students. We suggest that schools implement a point system that would require students to attend a certain number of programs on pertinent topics such as date rape and alcohol abuse throughout the year. Each student should have to meet certain point requirements at the end of the year. Some schools have special peer education student groups, such as "Men Against Rape," "Athletes for Rape Education," and "Men Acting for Change," which are particularly effective peer influences on student populations.

Because alcohol is involved in the majority of sexual assaults, students must be aware that intoxication does not excuse one's behavior or actions, and educational efforts should be directed at the link between alcohol/other drugs and sexual violation.

The administration should consider holding a "safety walk" around school facilities, with students. The purpose of such a walk is twofold: First, the general status of safety on the campus can be evaluated, and second, the administration will be demonstrating a proactive concern for the safety and well being of the students. Safety whistles should be hung in the bathrooms and showers in women's facilities.

Although not a preventive measure, the school counselors might consider establishing a support group for sexual assault survivors. Another consideration is that survivors of childhood sexual abuse often have different needs than sexual assault and rape survivors. Thus, a separate support group might be necessary for them. Also, male survivors might need a separate support group from female survivors.

Holding a sexual assault awareness week once a year also sends a message to the student body about administrative support for rape prevention. These weeks have been called, "Stop Rape Week," "Healthy Relationships Week," "Sexual Assault Awareness Week," "Breaking the Silence Week," etc. A variety of activities can be staged to get students involved. These might include:

* Gender communication workshops facilitated by student peer leaders on consent and sexual communication issues.

* A self defense or assertiveness training workshop. A good program is RAD (Rape Aggression Defense), but others may be available in your area. Call the local rape crisis center for information.

* A men's pledge to create a sexual violence-free environment. This might be in the form of a giant petition or contract located in a highly visible area of the school, like the cafeteria, so that all can see it.

* A speak-out or candlelight vigil against sexual violence. These are often held outdoors and a candle is lit during the ceremony for each rape that will have statistically occurred in the United States during the ceremony.

* A survivors' wreath or "The Clothesline Project" can be displayed during the week. The clothesline project is a clothesline full of various multicolored T-shirts representing different incidences of sexual violence, made by the victims of that violence. There is a national Clothesline Project that travels to various schools, or you might consider starting your own. Alternatively, ribbons might be tied on a wreath throughout the week for students to show their support for the survivors of assault whom they know.

* A panel discussion could be held for students to ask questions of administrators and local authorities about policy and protocol for dealing with rape and assault in your area. Other topics for panel discussions might be the aftermath for the survivor of sexual assault, men's roles in sexual assault prevention, how the media portrays and treats the issue of sexual assault, multicultural issues specific to sexual assault, gay/lesbian/bisexual issues specific to sexual assault, and what we all can do to prevent sexual assault

* A mock rape trial might be staged. Student volunteers, sometimes from a local law school, stage a criminal trial in a date-rape case where the audience acts as the jury in deciding guilt or innocence.

* The "Gotcha" program. The sponsoring group approaches students and "sticks" them with brightly colored stickers that say "Gotcha." The students explain that the sticker signifies a victimization, and asks the student 11 attacked" to wear the sticker throughout the day. The stickers are placed on about one-quarter of the student population to demonstrate that one out of every four women will be the victim of assault or attempted assault in her lifetime. Some schools alert the student body to the program before hand, but it is most dramatic and effective if it is unannounced but well explained.

* A bulletin board display in a central location could relate statistics about rape and sexual assault. For example, you could make a string of 12 large paper dolls. Each would have a red heart, but every fourth doll's heart would be broken to represent the statistic that one in four women are raped or assaulted in their lifetimes.

* An information table should be set up with brochures, pamphlets, stickers, rape whistles, and so forth. Representatives from the local rape crisis center or a student group might be present at the table to answer questions.

* Create a book display in the library of books on sexual violence. A bibliography is listed at www.campusoutreachservices.com

National and local speakers on the issue might be brought in to speak on sexual assault and rape prevention, their research on the topic, or their experience with sexual assault and rape. Sometimes an outsider can motivate students, faculty, staff, and administrators in a way that an insider cannot.

* Hold a coffee hour one night with poetry readings, student musical performances, or dances in keeping with the theme of sexual assault awareness. You might also use this as a benefit concert for the local rape-crisis center or other charity.

* A healing ritual could be held and facilitated by either a counselor from school or a trained professional from a local resource, such as the rape crisis center.

* A support session for partners of rape survivors could be held at the same time as the healing ritual for survivors.

* Posters with anti-sexual violence slogans should be placed throughout the school. Particularly good posters are available by calling 800-END-RAPE.

* Eye-catching posters advertising awareness events for the week should be plentiful.

Katie Koestner is director of educational programs for Campus Outreach Services, Inc. She is a nationally known presenter and date-rape awareness activist. She has appeared on more than 1,000 college, high school, and military campuses across the United States. More ideas, materials, and resources are available at www.campusoutreachservices.com. Brett Sokolow is an attorney and president of the National Center for Higher Education Risk Management. This nonprofit organization helps schools and colleges grapple with tough student health and safety issues such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, hazing, and alcohol. Visit www.ncherm.org for free publications, articles, and resources on these issues.