Safety first

The emotional impact of rape can be traumatic. Victims of the crime are left feeling fearful, sad, angry, powerless, shameful and guilty, said a speaker at Women's Safety Day at Cal State Long Beach Wednesday.

Sgt. Bonnie Myers of the University Police, Kathleen Bargar of the Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center and Lynn Seiser of Marriage, Family and Child Counseling were guest speakers at the fair.

Students who attended the event received information on services available on and off campus.

CSULB's Public Safety provides Community Service Officers for evening escorts. The escort service is available Monday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to midnight.

"Sexual assault and rape are the most prevalent crimes on a college campus," said Bargar. "Eighty to 90 percent of rapes are acquaintance rapes and most are not reported." Violence affects every aspect of life, therapist Lynn Seiser said.

"Several important things to know is yourself, who you're with, where you are, how to say Ôno,' and how to ask for help," she said.

Students who are victims of violent campus crimes should call the University Police at the emergency phones for immediate help or may call (310) 570-7368.

Students can also call the Women's Resource Center at (310) 985-5466 for referrals to support groups and counseling centers. Some other important safety numbers are as follows:

CSULB Counseling (310) 985-4001

Men and Women Against Rape (310) 432-4475

Sexual Assault Crisis Agency

Hotline (310) 597-2002

Office (310) 594-6301

Su Casa Shelter (310) 402-4888

Long Beach Police Department, Sex Crimes (310) 570-7368

Long Beach District Attorney (310) 491-6301

Victim Witness Assistance Hotline (310) 957-2737

Lynn Seiser, MFCC (310) 799-1371