Sexual assault prevention has been an ongoing topic of discussion. We still see this topic as a serious one and feel it merits further attention.

Students hear lots of statistics on sexual violence and know not to walk down dark alleys at night. But, we need to increase our knowledge of the problem and connect this information to real life in order to make smart decisions.

Sexual violence is a serious issue, especially on college campuses. According to a U.S. Justice Department estimate, one in five women and one in 33 men will be a victim of sexual assault or will experience attempted sexual assault. These numbers are staggering; to many, the idea of sexual assault seems remote. But consider that these women could be your best friends, girlfriends or sisters. This is not something to be taken lightly.

A recent University of Missouri study examined the behaviors and attitudes of female undergraduates at Miami University and found that many were unaware of what constituted risky behavior. Students did understand the risk of having someone pour them a drink, but most did not think of leaving drinks unattended as a serious risk.

Additionally, when a short story about date rape was read, the students frequently assigned the blame to the victim for what had happened. This perception of victimization is an issue we find seriously troubling. It is important for students to realize that it is never the victim's fault.

For a problem so relevant on college campuses, these findings highlight students' lack of awareness of sexual violence. We urge students to take this issue seriously and to:

Pour your own drinks. We know allowing others to get you a drink is risky, but remembering to apply this to real life does not always happen. It is easy to forget this cardinal rule and hold out your cup when a guy walks by with a pitcher or hand your cup over at a house party when a new acquaintance offers to go to the keg.

Watch your drink at all times. As the University of Missouri study found, college students fail to identify this as a risk, making it a great opportunity for predators to slip something in the drink of an unsuspecting victim.

Watch out for your friends. Our friends are the best defense we have against sexual assault. Talk to your friends about the risk of sexual violence and help each other make smart choices.

Don't allow yourself to be isolated with someone you don't know well and trust. Stick to the good ol' buddy system. But even when you do this, still remain on your guard. Of the women who survive rape or attempted rape in college, an estimated 85 to 90 percent know their attackers.

Trust your instincts. If a person or a situation seems shady, follow your gut feeling, because chances are you are probably right.

Students need to increase knowledge of the all-too-real problem of sexual violence. In addition, students need to connect the information they gain to real life situations and make smart decisions. Be safe, Marquette. We don't want any more of you to become a part of the staggering statistics on sexual assaults.