UNL promotes campus safety programs that cover sexual assault, hazing and more

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – As students head back to class this semester, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln wants to make sure they know where to go if they ever need help.

The Campus Safety Fair on Thursday allowed students to get connected with support groups and UNL Police.

Chief Hassan Ramzah said the police department wants to increase access to resources and have an open line of communication with students.

“We want our parents to feel that their students are safe on campus,” he said.

The fair also promoted programs where students can talk about topics that may be difficult to share with friends and family, including mental health, hazing, alcohol safety, consent, relationship violence and more.

There have been five cases of rape on campus since the start of 2023, according to UNL statistics.

There have also been 17 reports of domestic violence, nine cases of dating violence and seven reports of stalking.

In 2022, UNL had 44 total cases of rape.

That includes assaults that happened in university-owned housing and anywhere else on campus.

Emily Hall, a member of the Peer Educators program, said she helped form the group to educate students on what healthy relationships look like.

“After the Fiji incident, there was a lot of student uproar,” she said. “So this was kind of our response to that. We try to make it more so that it’s a conversation, rather than an adult telling you what you should and shouldn’t do.”

Melissa Wilkerson, the director of UNL’s Center for Advocacy, Response & Education, said she hopes these events will put parents at ease and make it easier to discuss difficult topics with their children.

“Talk to them, allow them to talk with you,” she said. “Ask about their experience, ask what they’re involved with.”