Sexual assalt is a reality for USU students, police say
Despite a relatively low number of reported incidents, rape and sexual assault are still very real crimes that occur at Utah State University.
According to a study done by the U.S. Department of Justice, only one in 20 incidents of rape and sexual assault that occur on college campuses are reported, and USU is no exception, said Rachel Hickman, Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information coordinator.
“In 2001, Utah was 14th in the nation for forcible rape. That tells us something,” she said. “Rape is a very real part of what goes on in Utah and women on college campuses are at a particular risk.”
Since the beginning of Fall semester, nine reports of lewdness, exposure, sexual assault or rape have been reported to the USU Police, said Lt. Shane Sessions. But Sessions said he expects the actual number of incidents is much higher.
“There is a real disparity between what we get and what actually happens,” he said. “There are dozens of people who never talk to anyone and bury it deep in their heart and mind.”
Sessions and Hickman said there are several reasons a victim of sexual assault or abuse may not want to report the incident, including feelings of shame and guilt and fear of retaliation from their perpetrator.
“Rape survivors experience a variety of emotions. The most common is shame and guilt,” Hickman said. “Essentially they are taking responsibility for what someone else chose to do.”
However, a person may also not recognize that what has happened to them is a crime, she said.
“Twenty-seven percent of rape victims recognize they have been victims of a crime,” she said. “That means under 30 percent recognize, ‘Hey, that was rape.'”
Hickman said it’s crucial that students, both male and female, understand the definitions of rape and sexual assault.
“Education is vital,” Sessions said. “We have an enormous influx of young freshman females who have never been taught the danger or warning signs. We can at least provide the education.”
Red Zone, a period of time at the beginning of the school year which national research has shown to be the most dangerous in relation to sexual assault and rape, is used as one vehicle to educate students, Hickman said.
Yet, USU does not follow Red Zone trends, Sessions said. Reports of incidents remain pretty consistent throughout the year, and USU does not see a peak of cases during the time between August and Thanksgiving Break, he said. Still, Red Zone is important in providing information to students at USU, he said.
“A lot of our efforts focus on informing women,” Hickman said, “and that sends a subtle message that rape can be controlled by the victim and that’s not the case.
“While there are things women can do to reduce their risk, it’s not the victims fault.”
USU Police Lt. Steve Milne said the factors that play into rape at USU may be different than at other universities. He said nationally alcohol is typically a common thread among rape cases, but not at USU.
“It’s social programming,” Sessions said. “They don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
“Girls know they’re in trouble and know something inappropriate is happening, but they don’t know what to do and they kind of freeze up,” Milne said.
Hickman agreed, but said these feelings are common among women anywhere.
“Girls are taught to be nice and not to hurt feelings. Men are given permission in our society to be aggressive,” she said. “Those two paradigms set the stage for sexual violence.”
Hickman said for 90 percent of college students who are assaulted, the perpetrator is someone they know, most commonly a classmate, friend, boyfriend or ex-boyfriend.
“When getting together with someone, go to a public place – those who rape will isolate potential victims,” she said.
Freshman and new students are especially at risk, Hickman said, because perpetrators look for vulnerability.
“New students may be uncertain of their surroundings,” she said. “A person has the right to experience freedom.
“That never gives anyone the right to rape or sexually assault someone,” she said. “Women need to know if a situation makes them uncomfortable, they absolutely have permission to leave.”
Sessions urges students to listen to their intuition. If a student feels uncomfortable, they should first verbalize and then, most importantly, act on those feelings.
“Usually victims allow their personal space to be invaded without responding,” he said. “Sexual predators push the personal envelope. If they don’t get any response, they feel like the person is now an easy target.”
Hickman, Sessions and Milne said any student who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault should know there are many options available to them. Students who report their incident will never be pressured to prosecute, Sessions said, but reporting can allow police to get students the help they need and help the university identify rape and sexual assault patterns.
“We allow them that control,” he said.
Hickman said visits to the SAAVI office, located in the Health and Wellness Center, are confidential and the police will only be contacted if that’s what the student wants.
“Even if they don’t choose to report to the police, there are still other types of assistance we can offer them.”
For more information about rape and sexual assault, the SAAVI office can be reached at 797-1660. A rape crisis line is also available, 24 hours a day at 797-RAPE.
-bnelson@cc.usu.edu