Students were given prevention tips, free condoms and information about health care services Wednesday in Smith Plaza for Sexual Assault Awareness Day.
There is a one-in-three chance a female will be sexually assaulted, said Eileen Hanson, lead coordinator of the event. And college-aged women are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted, she said.
She said it's important to educate students about sexual assault.
"I see a real need for it," she said. "This is the type of stuff that just does not get talked about."
Co-organizer Christina Johnston said the event also aimed to get men involved and have them be a part of the solution.
"It's kind of a touchy subject with men - they get defensive," she said. "They automatically think you're attacking them when you're not."
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Johnston said some men might think sexual assault is OK from listening to music that degrades women.
"It's not OK for men to degrade women, because all women should be respected, and respect needs to be taught to everyone," she said. "Everyone needs to be treated equal."
Hanson said the event provided games to educate students about rape.
"The Wheel of Safe Sex" had participants fill in statistics, such as more than 100,000 students every year say they have been too drunk to know whether they had consensual sex.
Ingrid Kloet, who was at the event to do HIV testing, said having unprotected sex is the quickest way to get an STI.
"You have to take care of yourself," she said. "Because of drugs and alcohol, it's not working. When I first got to this state, I thought, 'Wow, it's the wild, wild West.'"
Kloet said people should get tested for STIs after being sexually assaulted.
UNM Police Lt. Christine Chester said rape should be reported immediately after the incident.
Chester said that as soon as a student reports being sexually assaulted, he or she is examined by SANE, the sexual assault nurse examiners.
"We also interview the victim and any witnesses," she said. "Then we'll present all the information to the court and let them decide if they have enough evidence to pursue the case."
Hanson said the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network found that 15 of 16 rapists walk free.
The Southwest Acupuncture and Massage Therapy Services were invited to share information with students who have already been sexually assaulted, she said.
"Once you've been attacked, you know, you do unfortunately have a higher incidence of depression and other issues that you didn't have before," Hanson said.
