Sexual assault is not something usually on students' minds when they go out for a night of fun.
However, sexual assault is a serious problem on college campuses, and Marquette is not immune.
"National statistics indicate that 25 percent of all female college students experience sexual assault while at college," said Sue Cooper, a crime prevention officer in Marquette's Department of Public Safety. "I believe this also represents the Marquette campus," though not all these instances may happen at Marquette.
To combat this number, the university and student organizations have organized Sexual Violence Awareness Week, which started last week and runs until Thursday. The week's theme is "Help Heal a Heart Broken by Violence."
"It's a huge variety of people who all believe in the same purpose," said Amy Melichar, interim coordinator for Health Education and Promotion in the Center for Health Education and Promotion.
"The purpose of the week is to educate the Marquette community about how to have healthy relationships and get students to take a stand and end sexual violence," Melichar said. "We want to empower students."
Organizers said they hope that by attending events during the week, students will become educated.
"People need to become aware of all the resources available on campus, so if a friend comes to them, they know what to do," Cooper said.
The most important step is reporting the instance, Melichar said. Victims can go to DPS, hall directors, resident assistants, University Ministry and Student Health Service for assistance.
Another option for those affected by assault is to contact HAVEN, or Helping Abuse and Violence End Now,a system of university departments that provides resources and programs to victims of assault, stalking and violence. HAVEN has a 24-hour phone line staffed with specially trained peer advocates.
"If you are unsure of what to do, call and find out your options," Cooper said.
According to Melichar, it is only through reporting the crime that a string of services can begin to usher in the healing process.
One option for students is to talk to Bridgette Hensley, a counselor and coordinator for sexual violence awareness programs.
"We do individual therapy and we have a psychiatrist on staff," Hensley said. "Services are fairly limited so depending on the individual's needs, we will provide the best plan for recovery."
It is also never too late to get help.
"Even if the sexual assault occurred way in the past, therapeutic services are always available," Hensley said. However, for legal purposes, she said it is best to report the crime within the first 24 to 72 hours.
Despite the availability of resources to help victims, many instances go unreported. "A limited number is reported, but there are many, many more because students are afraid to come forward and speak up," Melichar said.
Hoping to change this, Melichar has high hopes for the week and its influence on campus.
"It's a huge issue and so many people have been working on this, and we have come so far," she said.
To reach HAVEN, call 288-5746.
This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on September 20, 2005.