University of Regina launches anti-sexual assault campaign

Each September the University of Regina's outdoor academic green is transformed into a place to party with music, games and drinks.

The student's union organizes the week-long bash. The group polled students this past year and learned the festivities have become less about alcohol indulgence.

"We were very focused this year to have a good balance, because not all the new students can drink."Haris Khan, a representative from the University of Regina Student's Union (URSU). "We wanted it to be open for everybody."

• Sex assault reporting on Canadian campuses worryingly low, say experts

University of Regina spokesperson Costa Maragos explains that the new Red Zone campaign was introduced this week to create awareness.

"There's a period of time, and statistically speaking at campuses across the country, where's there's a greater risk of sexual assault," said Maragos.

"That's from the beginning of the fall semester to around the end of November."

More than 50 per cent of college sexual assaults occur in August through November. Women who are victimized during college are most likely to be victimized early on in their college tenure, according to research provided by the Red Zone campaign.

The campaign encourages victims of sexual assault and friends of victims to report concerns, regardless how much time has passed. 

The school also offers a mobile application for students, which includes instant contact to campus security and counseling services for those in-need.