Spring Break
Sexual assault reports remain consistent at URI
Jeff Sullivan
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: News
10/10/08 - Sexual assault is one of the most under reported crimes in the United States, and according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), 60 percent of sexual assaults go unreported every year.
The University of Rhode Island's Violence Prevention Program and Peer Advocacy Services, located in the Women's Center, is trying to help sexual assault victims by providing counseling and tools to help them cope with its repercussions.
Jennifer Longa Moio, assistant director of the program and also of the Advocacy, said the number of sexual assault reports have remained consistent at URI for the past seven years.
Since its inception, Longa Moio said more students have reported incidents to the program.
"[Reports] went up initially, quite significantly, because people found out about us," she said. "Since then we know we're getting a good percentage of people who are coming forward and reporting to us. Whether or not they're reporting to the police is a different mater."
According to RAINN, side effects from sexual assault include, but are not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder, flashbacks, rape trauma syndrome, psychosomatic disorders and suicide.
The program offers services to help victims get their life back on track and make sure the emotional side effects of their experiences do not interfere with their daily lives. One of these services is the client contact system, in which victims choose to confidentially inform people involved in their daily lives, like teachers and bosses, about their situation.
The exact number of client's using this service is confidential, but according to coordinator, Keith R. Labelle, about 250 people were contacted through the program.
Campus safety is always an issue, and even with security cameras installed throughout the university, some students are still unwilling to travel alone at night, for fear of potential sexual assault.
"I don't walk around at night without one of my guy friends," said Britney Chronley, a freshman living on campus. "I just don't want to take that risk."
The University of Rhode Island's Violence Prevention Program and Peer Advocacy Services, located in the Women's Center, is trying to help sexual assault victims by providing counseling and tools to help them cope with its repercussions.
Jennifer Longa Moio, assistant director of the program and also of the Advocacy, said the number of sexual assault reports have remained consistent at URI for the past seven years.
Since its inception, Longa Moio said more students have reported incidents to the program.
"[Reports] went up initially, quite significantly, because people found out about us," she said. "Since then we know we're getting a good percentage of people who are coming forward and reporting to us. Whether or not they're reporting to the police is a different mater."
According to RAINN, side effects from sexual assault include, but are not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder, flashbacks, rape trauma syndrome, psychosomatic disorders and suicide.
The program offers services to help victims get their life back on track and make sure the emotional side effects of their experiences do not interfere with their daily lives. One of these services is the client contact system, in which victims choose to confidentially inform people involved in their daily lives, like teachers and bosses, about their situation.
The exact number of client's using this service is confidential, but according to coordinator, Keith R. Labelle, about 250 people were contacted through the program.
Campus safety is always an issue, and even with security cameras installed throughout the university, some students are still unwilling to travel alone at night, for fear of potential sexual assault.
"I don't walk around at night without one of my guy friends," said Britney Chronley, a freshman living on campus. "I just don't want to take that risk."
