LAGUNA HILLS : Program Will Teach Rape Prevention

Alarmed by the increase in sexual assaults against women in the South County area, Laguna Hills community leaders will sponsor a rape prevention program next Monday at Laguna Hills High School.

The hourlong session, beginning at 7 p.m. in the school’s theater, will be conducted by Sgt. Matthew Barr of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Crime Prevention Unit, organizer Melody Carruth said Monday.

“It’s in response to the increasing number of violent attacks against young women,” Carruth said. “We are concerned that many of our younger women are not aware of the dangers.”

Carruth, a city councilwoman-elect who will take office when the new city of Laguna Hills incorporates at the end of the year, said organizers hope the forum heightens awareness among Laguna Hills residents who “are kind of lulled into this false sense of security.”

A serial rapist is being sought in connection with numerous attacks on women in San Clemente since October. Other attacks have been reported in Laguna Beach and Dana Point in recent weeks.

Carruth said Laguna Hills leaders became more concerned after hearing about an assault of a woman at the Laguna Hills Mall. She said the mall’s security staff offers escort service to the parking lot for mall patrons.

“The residents here need to understand that as we become more urbanized, along with this urbanization comes an increase in crime,” Carruth said.