A BYU-Hawaii student
ran into an exhibitionist, so called “flasher”, in Laie Shopping Center
at a late evening in January, according to Helaman M. Ka’onohi, Assistance
Manager of Security as well as a former policeman.
As Ka’onohi described, the student was walking
at the back road in Laie
Shopping Center. There
was a Polynesian looking guy was standing 50 feet away from her. He smiled at
her while opening his long coat – he had his shirt on but without pant. The
student was in shock, but she ran away at once.
“It’s still an on going investigation,”
said Ka’onohi. “It is my advice to all BYU-H students: Time is very important. If
you experience something like this, make a police record immediately, so the
policeman can come, check the area, and do investigation.”
Ka’onohi said female students should be
aware not to walk alone after dark. He said, “If you ever walk alone at night,
such as to the shopping center or McDonald, try to stay in the light area and
don’t take short cut. If you can, carry a whistle with you.”
If students find out their roommate ran
into an exhibitionist, Ka’onohi said, “Talk to them, be supportive, and
understand they [the victims] did nothing wrong. Encourage them to report the
case…. If a case is recorded, it also promotes safety to others.” He encouraged
students who experiencing problem to see a counselor or their bishop.
Boyd Timothy, a psychology Assistant
Professor, explained an exhibitionist refers to someone who engages into sexual
fantasy by exposing the genitals suddenly to stranger.
Timothy said an exhibitionist want to get
a “self sexual satisfaction and pleasure” by going nude in front of people. He
said, “They get sexual excitement and fulfill the sexual fantasy by witnessing others
to scream, in shock, or in horror.”
“They [exhibitionists] don’t want an
actually sexual contact. The object of their sexual desire is to assault
somebody and to see them freak out. They want you to run away. If you don’t run
away, they will because they know it is illegal…. According to the statistic,
women and children are usually the target because they tend to run away,” said
Timothy.
If students ever run into an
exhibitionist, Timothy suggested, “If you can control, don’t give them the
reaction. They are so mean, so un-thoughtful, and so selfish to sexually
assault you. Just walk away and be indifferent.”
Timothy continued, “You probably feel it
is disgusting. But don’t give them what they want. Walk away and call the cob.
It might be the best avenge. You probably don’t want to involve in someone’s
fantasy. It is a crime. It needs to stop. Get the cob involved, so the
exhibitionist can be helped.”
Sponsored by The David O McKay Center for
Intercultural Understanding, a group of ICS students brought a Sexual Violence
Awareness Week to BYU-H partnering with the Counseling Services and the Security
Office from Feb11 to Feb15.
Taylor Rippy is a peace-building senior
from Calif.
and also one of the hosts of the event. Aimed to educated students and
community members of the issue, Rippy said, “Students are unaware of the
on-campus resources we have to help prevent sexual violence as well as help to
heal survivors. From the Security Office's late-night shuttle to our talented
and capable on-campus counselors, there are people that are ready and willing
to help.”
Clover Cheng
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