More lighting on campus and less alcohol consumption could prevent sexual assaults, according to two recent surveys conducted this spring.

The surveys, conducted by the Iowa State Department of Health and Safety Development, were done anonymously about a month apart. The Safe Spring Break Survey was done on March 7, and the second one was done on World Health Day, April 2.

Of the 264 ISU students surveyed, 60 respondents said they know someone at ISU who was sexually assaulted.

Rosa Vell, an intern at the Department of Health and Safety Development, said this number was slightly higher than expected.

Nearly 42 percent of those who know a sexual assault victim said there is a need for increased lighting on campus, especially between Beardshear and Curtiss Halls.

Rob Bowers, public safety patrol coordinator for the ISU Department of Public Safety, said the campus escort service is available from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Staffed by the DPS student employees, Bowers said the escort service receives multiple calls each night to accompany a person by foot or by a golf cart, depending on the weather and from where the person calls.

“We still get escorts on a nightly basis. Our calls come from students and staff, from academic buildings, the library, off-campus and greek houses,” he said. “We’re happy that people are using it because they have a concern with their safety or want an easy ride home. The safety escort service is really something a contemporary university in the 1990s must be offering.”

Another problem associated with sexual assault is alcohol consumption. According to the April 2 survey, 80 percent said alcohol was a factor in the incident of the respondents who said they knew of someone who was a sexual assault victim.

“My conclusion was that the perceived problem was that most of them were acquaintance assaults and most had alcohol involved,” Vell said. “It seems like more people need to be aware that this is taking place, but not necessarily on campus. A lot of [alcohol consumption] takes place off campus.”

She said that people need to watch their alcohol consumption by drinking in moderation.

“Drinking seems to be biggest problem associated with [sexual assault], especially when students go out drinking in groups,” Vell said.

She suggested that people should have a friend watch out for them while drinking alcohol.

Vell said the main source of preventing incidents of assault is education.

“There is misconception of where and how it takes place,” she said. “Education needs to be provided to distill the myth that it is happening.”

Vill said the Department of Health and Safety Development hopes to conduct more surveys in the future. The department addresses issues of sexual assault through educational presentations, radio spots, self-defense classes and various seminars.

Other departments that provide support and education are the Dean of Students Office, the Women’s Center and Student Services.