Women at Penn State are often inundated with advice on how to avoid becoming victims of rape — don't walk alone at night, stick with a group or take a class in kickboxing.

However, Linda LaSalle, University Health Services community health educator, said women's efforts to prevent sexual assault can only go so far.

"Women are only half of the equation," she said. "To stop rape, we have to get men to stop committing it. We need to do more things directed toward men."

Peggy Lorah, assistant director of the Center for Women Students, said there needs to be more education for men.

"Men need to pay attention to this," said Lorah. "They really need to get the word that this is a crime."

She said some men don't understand that sexual assault doesn't necessarily involve force. "Sexual assault is really about the absence of consent."

Lorah said a man should directly ask a woman if she wants to have sex, and not proceed unless the answer is a clear, sober "yes."

While LaSalle said most men understand forced sex or sex without consent is wrong, she said men need to monitor one another.

For example, a man should intervene if he sees his friend leading a very intoxicated woman to his room, she said. "Men need to call other men on that kind of behavior."

Brian Jara, adviser of Men Stopping Rape, said his group's mission is to focus on how men can prevent and reduce sexual assault. To do that, men must change the way they perceive both women and themselves, he said.

Everyday conversations, such as overhearing sexual jokes or inappropriate comments, can be used as a stepping stone. Not objecting to derogatory comments toward women gives friends the impression that it's OK, Jara said.

"If you call a friend on it, it makes a big difference," he said.