An educational forum to inform students on the dangers of being sexually assaulted and victimized is scheduled to take place today.

The forum, which is presented by Kansas Attorney General Steve Six, the Riley County Police Department, the K-State Women's Center and Wildcats Against Rape, is one among the many efforts that Six and the RCPD are taking to increase security in Manhattan.

"As the semester begins, it is critical that all students understand the importance of personal safety and know how to avoid the potentially dangerous situations," Six said in a press release. "All Kansans — including students — should take steps to ensure their environment is safe and their living quarters secure."

Home security is among the organizers' biggest concerns and will be one of the points stressed in the forum.

Mary Todd, director of the K-State Women's Center, said a string of rapes dating back to 2000 are believed to be heinous acts committed by the same individual. The majority of these incidents occurred because the victims' apartments were left unlocked, particularly the doors on second-story balconies.

"You never think about locking your door or your window up on the second story, but that's [where] this individual is getting in," Todd said. "You should always have your entire home locked up."

Todd also said there are many crucial cautionary steps that can be taken to avoid being placed in a dangerous situation, but she highlighted one in particular.

"The best, most effective way to stay out of harm's way is to go out in a group," Todd said. "Don't ever end up alone, and have someone in the group stay sober. Have a plan and stick to it."

Todd will be speaking alongside Six and the RCPD at the forum, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today in Forum Hall in the K-State Student Union.

Aside from participating in this educational forum, members of the RCPD are taking action to keep the community and students safe. Capt. Jeff Hooper of the RCPD said a task force has been created by a coalition of officers from the RCPD, FBI and KBI.

"We have surveillance detectives and uniformed officers always on patrol," Hooper said. "We particularly keep an eye out for suspicious individuals loitering around apartment complexes, and we have officers assigned to this specific case. We're doing everything we can to keep Manhattan safe. We will be at the forum to offer advice on public safety and to educate the public on this specific sexual predator."