Assaults Claim Radford
| Published 10/08/04

Graphic by: Ande Hearn

Like many other college campuses, RU has recently been experiencing its share of violence and assaults. Both sexual and non-sexual, Radford has been seemingly adding to the list of assaults at a rapid pace. Two weeks ago someone was sexually assaulted just outside of Jefferson and Madison. It makes one wonder where Radford is going.

It is known that colleges all over the country have these problems as well, but it has never seemed to be quite as intense here at Radford as it is now. From cops coming by everyone's apartments saying that there is a man walking the streets with a gun to telling everyone to lock their doors because of people breaking in and sexually assaulting RU students, it has all been happening lately.

"I think it's scary, because when I first came to Radford, I felt safe and now that all of these assaults are going on I am beginning to lose my sense of security," said RU junior Jenn Leake. "Its not like Radford is a big town either, so you wouldn't think those kinds of things go on."

Is Radford now becoming a town where no matter what time it is you should always have someone with you? Although it is never fully safe anywhere, Radford used to have more of a comfort to it even at night. It seems like every week a new incident is occurring and one more person is falling victim to this awful fate.

"I think that Radford cops need to stop worrying about busting parties and instead worry about protecting our students. It's a shame when a girl tries to go a back way home to avoid cops and ends up being assaulted, all because she is afraid of having a run in with the cops. She should actually be able to go up to a cop and ask for them to escort her home for her safety, and they should respect that and not give her a drinking citation as well," said RU senior Brian Smart.

Recent events here at Radford should keep both men and women aware of what could happen. Try to walk in groups or at least not on back roads where no one could help you if the unthinkable does occur.