The “Red Zone” refers to the period from the start of the fall semester through Thanksgiving break when many sexual assaults occur on college campuses nationwide. This information explains why this time is considered higher risk and what students, faculty, and staff can do to help.
Q: What is the Red Zone?
The Red Zone is a six-to-ten-week window when many students are reconnecting with friends, attending gatherings, and adjusting to new routines. National studies show that more than half of sexual assaults on college campuses occur during this time.
Early in the semester, students are often adjusting to new routines, social environments, and a different campus culture, which can increase vulnerability if they aren’t yet aware of available support. It’s important to remember: experiencing sexual violence is never the survivor’s fault. The responsibility always lies with the person who chose to cause harm.
Q: What is consent?
Consent is clear, informed, and freely given permission for each specific act. It’s the presence of a “yes,” not the absence of a “no.” Consent can be revoked at any time and must be mutual and ongoing.
Consent is required in all sexual and intimate interactions. A person who is incapacitated (e.g., by alcohol or drugs), asleep, or unconscious cannot consent.
Q: How does alcohol impact the Red Zone?
Alcohol is one of the most common tools used by perpetrators of sexual assault. Because social gatherings often increase at the start of the school year, so does alcohol use.
No matter the circumstances—whether alcohol or drugs were involved, what someone was wearing, how they were dancing, or whether they had a previous relationship—sexual violence is never the survivor’s fault.
Perpetrators may exploit this, targeting individuals who are incapacitated or using substances themselves to lower their inhibitions. Survivors deserve to be believed and supported, and responsibility always rests with the person who chose to harm.
Q: Why do sexual assault reports sometimes come in “clusters?”
At Boise State and on campuses nationwide, reports of sexual assault and other gender-based violence sometimes come in clusters. That doesn’t necessarily mean more incidents are happening all at once — it can reflect when survivors feel ready to come forward.
Sometimes several people report after seeing others share their stories, after awareness campaigns like the Red Zone, or when resources are highlighted in class or training. In other cases, a single incident may involve more than one survivor choosing to report around the same time.
You may also notice clusters when Timely Warnings are issued. These campus-wide email alerts are sent when a reported crime may pose an ongoing threat to the community. Receiving a Timely Warning can encourage others with similar experiences to come forward and report, adding to the appearance of a cluster.
It’s important to remember that clusters don’t equal new spikes in danger. They often show that survivors are finding support, feel safer coming forward, or are encouraged to use campus resources.
Q: What can Boise State do to address the Red Zone?
Boise State provides education, prevention programming, and support resources throughout the year, with a focus during the Red Zone period. These include:
- Bystander intervention training (Broncos Take Action) open to students, staff, and faculty.
- Mandatory online courses such as AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention for new and transfer students.
- Housing and Residence Life programming, including first-floor meetings where students learn about consent, healthy relationships, and reporting options.
- Athletics education on Title IX, healthy relationships, and bystander skills.
- Wellness Services outreach, which engaged more than 10,000 participants in 120 programs last year.
Q: How can bystander intervention help?
Everyone at Boise State has the ability to help create a safer community. Bystander intervention means paying attention, noticing when something feels off, and choosing to act in a way that supports others.
Intervention can happen at different points in time:
- Before harm occurs – Shape the environment by challenging harmful jokes or comments, checking in on friends, and promoting respect in your circles.
- In the moment – If you see something concerning, step in safely. That might mean asking if someone is okay, staying with a friend, or getting help from others nearby.
- Afterward – Support survivors by listening, believing them, and connecting them to resources on campus or in the community.
Being an active bystander doesn’t mean putting yourself in danger. It means taking safe, simple steps that can make a big difference:
- Check in. If you see someone who looks uncomfortable, ask if they’re okay.
- Step in. Create a distraction, join the conversation, or find another way to interrupt a situation that doesn’t feel right.
- Speak up. If you hear a harmful joke or comment, let people know it’s not okay.
- Get backup. Call Public Safety, grab a friend, or find staff nearby if you need help.
Small actions can prevent harm and create a safer community. By looking out for each other, Broncos strengthen a culture of care, respect, and accountability on campus.
Q: How can I support survivors of sexual violence?
Supporting someone who has experienced sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking can make a real difference in their healing. Survivors often turn first to friends, classmates, or colleagues — so how you respond matters.
Here are some ways you can help:
- Believe them. Survivors often worry they won’t be taken seriously. Let them know you believe what they’re telling you.
- Remind them it’s not their fault. Responsibility always lies with the person who chose to cause harm — never the survivor.
- Listen without judgment. Survivors may share only part of their story, or they may not want to share details at all. Respect what they choose to tell you.
- Understand trauma responses. People react to trauma in many ways — shock, laughter, anger, withdrawal, or silence. There is no “right” way to respond.
- Let them lead. Ask what they need, and respect their choices. Regaining control is an important part of healing.
- Offer information, not pressure. Share campus and community resources, but don’t push someone to report or seek services if they’re not ready.
- Stay connected. Continue to check in over time. Healing doesn’t happen on a set timeline.
- Take care of yourself, too. Supporting a survivor can be emotional. Reach out for your own support if you need it.
Remember: Boise State provides many confidential and non-confidential resources, as well as accommodations like academic adjustments, housing changes, or no-contact orders. Survivors have the right to access these supports whether or not they choose to file a formal report.
By showing care, patience, and respect, you can help survivors feel less isolated and more supported — and you help Boise State build a culture where sexual violence is not tolerated.
Boise State and Community Resources
9-1-1
Call 9-1-1 for emergency services, including medical, fire, or life-safety situations
Police and Security Services
- Department of Public Safety (DPS) – Available 24/7 at (208) 426-6911 or publicsafety@boisestate.edu for urgent situations, non-emergencies, and safety concerns.
University Compliance / Title IX
- Office of Compliance and Ethics (Title IX Coordinator) – (208) 426-1258, TIXIE@boisestate.edu
Student Support
- Dean of Students Office – (208) 426-1527
- ASBSU Legal Services – (208) 426-1527, asbsu@boisestate.edu
- International Student Services – (208) 426-3652, internationalinfo@boisestate.edu
Health and Counseling
- University Health Services – Medical Clinic and Counseling – (208) 426-1459
- Wellness Services – Education and outreach on substance misuse, sexual health, healthy relationships, and recovery support
- Student Connections and Support Center – (208) 426-4259
Community Resources
- Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline – (208) 343-7025
- WCA Sexual Assault Hotline – (208) 345-7273
- Ada County Victim Services Center – 417 S. 6th Street, Boise (for sexual assault forensic exams)
- St. Luke’s and Saint Alphonsus Hospitals – Emergency medical care with trained sexual assault response teams
- Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence – (208) 384-0419
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
How Public Safety Helps You Stay Safe
Boise State’s Department of Public Safety offers a range of services designed to keep our community safe. Whether you’re walking across campus at night, need to report a concern, or want quick access to emergency help, these options are here for you, day or night.
- Department of Public Safety (DPS) – Available 24/7 at (208) 426-6911 for urgent situations, non-emergencies, and safety concerns.
- Security Escorts – Available 24/7 for students, faculty, staff, and visitors who are walking on campus or in the immediate surrounding neighborhoods — whether or not someone feels unsafe. Escorts are not used as a disciplinary measure, even if alcohol is involved. Boise State’s Broncos Act provides amnesty when help is sought in a medical emergency related to alcohol or drugs, meaning students will not face university conduct penalties for seeking assistance. If a medical emergency is present during the security escort (such as vomiting or unresponsiveness), paramedics will be called to ensure safety; in those situations, the priority is safety and well-being, not discipline.
- Rave Guardian Safety App – Free mobile app that allows you to call or text DPS, set a safety timer with a “guardian,” and share your location in an emergency.
- Blue Light Emergency Phones – Over 75 phones across campus marked with blue lights; connect directly to 9-1-1 Ada County Emergency Dispatch. Additionally, many of the blue light phones also connect to DPS dispatch.
- Silent Witness Form – Online option to anonymously report suspicious or concerning activity.
- Campus Crime Log – A daily record of reported crimes maintained by DPS and available to the public. Reviewing the log can help you stay informed about what crime is happening on campus.
- Campus Safety Map – An online interactive map that highlights safety features like Blue Light phones, AED locations, and emergency refuge areas. It also has a Night Map overlay to show the best lit walking paths at night.
- Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFR) – Released each year, the ASFR provides three years of campus crime and fire safety statistics, outlines university safety policies, and highlights prevention programs and resources. It also includes information about reporting options, survivor rights, and available campus and community support services. The report is designed to give the Boise State community a clear picture of campus safety and the services in place to help.
- Timely Warnings – Sent by email when certain crimes are reported that may pose a continuing threat to the Boise State community. These alerts provide key details and safety information to help you stay aware and make informed choices.
- BroncoAlerts – Sent by text and email during significant emergencies or dangerous situations, such as severe weather or law enforcement activity. These alerts are designed to reach you quickly in urgent situations. Be sure your cell phone number is current in the Boise State system to receive them.
- Building & Facility Safety – Card access controls, security patrols, and regular checks of lighting, doors, and grounds. Email publicsafety@boisestate.edu to connect with Public Safety to discuss personal safety or physical safety concerns .
Not sure where to start? Call DPS at (208) 426-6911 or email us at publicsafety@boisestate.edu, and we’ll connect you to the right resources.
Moving forward together
The Red Zone is a time when the risk of sexual violence is higher, but awareness, prevention, and support make a difference. Boise State’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report shows that while the number of reports may vary from year to year, incidents still occur — which is why we all have a role to play.
By understanding consent, stepping up as active bystanders, using safety services, and supporting survivors with compassion, each of us helps strengthen a culture of care and accountability.
Remember: if you or someone you know needs help, confidential and non-confidential campus resources are available 24/7, and community support is just a phone call away.
Together, Broncos can look out for one another and build a campus where everyone feels safe, supported, and respected.