Recent sexual assaults have prompted Penn State President Graham Spanier and members of the State College Police Department to speak out.

"In our opinion, an assault on one individual in this community is an affront to all students, faculty, staff and the State College community at large and cannot be tolerated," Spanier said in a letter addressed to the community.

Spanier stressed that lighting is being reviewed, police presence is being increased on campus and student leaders are giving ideas to Spanier to make Penn State safer for everyone.

At the end of October, a task force of administrators and students will investigate areas on campus that are poorly lit, and students will be able to voice their concerns about dangerous areas.

Undergraduate Student Government (USG) President Ian Rosenberger said the group's goal was to improve lighting off campus, but in light of the recent assaults, on-campus lighting has become the focus.

"The question we are asking is 'Are we the type of campus that will allow this [sexual assaults]?' " Rosenberger said. "The answer from the community is a resounding 'no.' "

State College crime prevention officer Anthony Lopinski said State College police want to give women tips to prevent sexual assault.

"Walking in well-lit areas and never walking alone are the most basic ideas," Lopinski said. "Think about the neighborhood and ask yourself where you would never go alone, then make an effort to avoid that place at all costs if you have to walk alone."

Alcohol often prohibits women from being familiar with their surroundings, he said.

"Women establish ideas as to where they don't want to be and then they drink," he said. "When it comes time to walk home, they are drunk and have to cut through alleyways and darker streets to get home as quickly as possible. It makes them more vulnerable."

Lopinski also said women should always be alert and if a woman feels uncomfortable, she should remove herself from the situation.

"Figure out where you would go if something happened," Lopinski said. "Run to a nearby restaurant or store, anywhere where you will be safe."

Lopinski said if women are giving directions to a person in a car, she should maintain a "personal distance" of at least four feet.

"You never want to lean into a car because you could be pulled into the vehicle," Lopinski said.

Lopinski also advised women to take a self-defense class.

Penn State head wrestling coach, Troy Sunderland, teaches a self-defense class each fall. ESACT 214 (Personal Defense) attracts about 30 people each semester, Sunderland said.

"The course's main objective is to broaden the sense of surroundings and use common sense to defend yourself," he said. "We teach this with limited training so students don't need to take weight training classes or rely on anything else."

Different situations are presented to class participants so they know what to do in any circumstance, Sunderland said.

Women should be aware whether in their homes, cars or offices, Lopinski said.

They should also have their keys ready before entering their homes, offices and cars and should never enter their vehicles without glancing into the backseat first.

"People who want to do harm to someone will get into their cars," Lopinski said.

He added it is important to understand that different assailants have varying plans of attack.

He said some assailants will immediately give up when their victim shows resistance, while others will become more aggravated or violent.

"Whatever your decision is, be confident and prepared to follow through," Lopinski said. "If you are going to fight, do it. Don't stop and don't give in."

He said that some options include fighting, screaming, talking or stalling for time.

"Anything you can do will give you time to assess the situation," Lopinski said. "Not all assailants are goal-oriented, and you may distract them."

Lopinski said the most important thing is to remember the rule of opposites if you become a victim.

"If your attacker tries to move you to another location, do everything you can to prevent that," he said. "If he tells you not to yell, he's saying that because someone might hear you. Yell."

Spanier said all people have a responsibility to look out for each other and to report suspicious behavior.

"State College is thought by many to be one of the safest communities in America, but it is not immune to the ugliness of sexual assault," he said. "As partners in this endeavor, we must all be diligent in rejecting violence, intimidation and other behaviors that violate our trust and place members of this community at risk."