Some students attend college expecting freedom and new experiences, but many are unaware of the risk of sexual assault before graduating.
 
It’s estimated 25 percent of college women have been victims of rape or attempted rape before they graduate in a four-year period, according to a recent report by the Department of Justice.
 
College-aged women are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted than women in the general public, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.
 
“We definitely do not fit that mold,” said Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSU Police Department spokesman. “Our percentage would be much less.”
 
Rape is not typically something LSUPD encounters, Tabor said.
 
The last reported incident of alleged rape on campus occurred Nov. 1 when a University student from the United Kingdom was arrested for allegedly raping a woman on campus and for the unlawful purchase of alcohol.
 
The accused was eventually charged with simple battery and unlawful purchase of alcohol for a person under 21 years.
 
But the Student Health Center received 11 reported cases in the last year. Cases can range from stalking to domestic abuse to sexual assault, said Ashley Granger, health center Wellness Education coordinator.
 
A 2009 study by the Center for Public Integrity found victims of sexual assault often do not report incidents because they either blame themselves for what happened, don’t understand what happened to them was a crime or fear retribution from their attacker.
 
“Many survivors do not report because of embarrassment, shame, fear of social isolation from friends or trying to forget the assault and put their life back together the best way they can rather than reporting,” said Granger, who’s also a Sexual Assault Victims Advocate (SAVA).
 
Alcohol is often a factor in rape or sexual assault cases and was found to be a contributing factor in 97,000 cases in 2009, according to a report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
 
It’s important for women and men to understand no means no, regardless of mental state, Tabor said.
Victims of rape are encouraged to report the crime to authorities, whether to LSUPD or to support services like the SAVA program, he said.
 
SAVAs are University faculty and staff who provide confidential assistance to victims of rape, sexual assault or relationship violence.
 
There are currently 70 SAVAs in various departments on campus like Greek Life, College of Education and Center for Freshman Year.
 
“SAVAs ensure that no survivor or student at risk has to navigate the medical, legal, mental health or University system alone,” Granger said.
 
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners work closely with the SAVA program to provide medical and forensic exams for survivors, Granger said.
 
For after-hours assistance,  students can call the Rape Crisis Center at 225-383-7273.
 
 
 
—-
Contact Grace Montgomery at [email protected]