We are writing regarding the article "City, study cite drinking as main cause for assaults" (SN 10/18). We have read over and over in this newspaper about how drinking is the cause for assault, especially sexual assault. We do not disagree that the drinking and assault often run hand-in-hand, but honestly, we are tired of that being the only issue that is talked about in regard to the causes of sexual assault.

Why aren't we hearing more about what leads men to commit these assaults on women? Why aren't we hearing about, as the study in the article stated, why the suspects are targeting white women under the age of 21 who used illicit drugs and binge drank in high school? Why are the victims still being blamed for their alcohol use?

We agree the women need to protect themselves. However, we do not feel that in order to protect ourselves we should be removed of our rights to legally drink alcohol because we have a higher chance of being sexually assaulted. Start placing the blame on where it belongs - the assailant.

Why did you print a study that tells which women are at highest risk instead of telling us which men are at highest risk of assaulting someone? Perhaps, print a report on how men can stand up to their male friends and tell them that what they are doing - or what they talk about doing - is wrong. From now on, we would certainly appreciate it if you stopped blaming the victim as you often do, subtly and blatantly, in many of these articles relating to assault.

Your paper is one that the students here read most. You have the means of truly informing the students of what needs to be done, so please do it correctly. Stop blaming women for their actions and print something that will actually help to fix the problem.

Kelli Malkasian
psychology senior, on belhaf of Women's Studies 201, sec. 2