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Sexual assaults down at SCSU
The numbers are in and that’s a good thing. The annual report of sexual assaults for the 2000-2001 academic school year are in and reported assaults are down.
“While the numbers that are reported show a downtrend. We can’t be sure that more didn’t happen,” said Lee LaDue, coordinator of the Sexual Violence Prevention Program at SCSU.
A total of 19 sexual assaults were reported to the Women’s Center between July 1, 2000 and June 30, 2001.
This is five assaults fewer than the year before, and the lowest since 1994-1995. The assaults that were reported came from both on and off campus.
As LaDue points out, however, these are the assaults that were reported. She says that not all assaults are reported, but hopes that there aren’t more victims out there in need of help.
“There is always the reminder that there is always help for victims,” LaDue said. “We always need to be more aware of what we say around people; we don’t always know who’s a victim. Hopefully, people will feel more comfortable to come forth and get the help they need.”
Of the 19 victims, 18 were female and one was male. Five of the sexual assaults occurred on campus, while fourteen occurred off campus. Alcohol was involved in seven of the cases. However, the use of alcohol was relatively low in comparison to what researches found for sexual assaults on college campuses.
“No one should feel that they can’t come forward,” said Miles J. Heckendorn III, director of Public Safety Dept. “We are here to support and help students with their needs.”
Sexual assault is any unwelcome advance, touching, groping or other unwelcome sexual advances, including rape.
Of all the assaults, two were committed by strangers and 17 were perpetrated by an acquaintance. All of the perpetrators were male. Seven of those perpetrators were students at SCSU, eight had no affiliation with SCSU, one was a visitor. Two were listed as “other‚” and one was unknown.
“We need to remember how we act and talk around others,” LaDue said. “We need to seek out resources and make informed choices.”
Of those assaults that happened off campus, nine were in a private residence and four were at house parties.
Breakdown of Report
Types of assaults: Two were committed by strangers, 17 by acquaintances. Ten of the assaults were first or second degree sexual assaults.
Victims: Eighteen of the 19 victims were female. One victim was in her 30s and all others were between 18 and 22.
Perpetrators: All were male. Seven were students at the time of the assault. Eight have no affiliation with SCSU.
Location: Five of the sexual assaults occurred on campus, 14 off campus. Four assaults occurred at house parties.
Report status: Thirteen of the cases were reported to either the police or the University Hearing Officer.
Source: Sexual Assault Services
Nissa Billmyer can be reached at: [email protected]
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