The latest statistics about sexual assault on college campuses are sobering.
"So the national research indicates one in five college women will survive an attempted rape or complete rape by the time they graduate college," said Morgan B. with Voices of Hope.
The University of Nebraska Lincoln hopes to change that.
Over 20,000 undergrad students attend UNL in hopes of finished their education, but for some, sexual assault tarnishes their college experience.
According to an Association of American Universities report, 23% of college women said they were sexually assaulted.
23% of the undergrad women at UNL is about 2,100 students, all at risk of an assault.
“Anything that is unwanted and especially when assault turn violent,” said student Natalie Bielenberg.
“Consent is really important, and any time there isn't consent is a situation, I consider it to be sexual assault,” added student Hunter Creittenden.
While sexual assault may be defined in different ways, UNL's Voices of Hope campus advocate, Morgan B., said a discussion about sexual violence needs to happen.
“I see this role being vital for students, facility, and staff, for them to have an advocate who is there to respond in a confidential way,” she said.
Morgan said the group has seen reporting numbers go up in recent years.
In the last five years, campus police handled nearly 70 reported cases of sexual assault. Six rapes were reported in 2014-2015, 12 last school year, and four rapes have been reported this year.
Of all those reports, Christopher Petersen was arrested and charged with first degree of sexual assault for an incident in a dorm in September 2015. A jury found him not guilty earlier this year.
There have also been two dozen other reports of unwanted touching and sexual acts since 2011.
“We have been seeing a slow increase in reporting, and this sounds funny to say this, but I interpret that as a good thing because we know that its happening, we know it’s an issue on our campus,” said Morgan.
She also said the notion that "it doesn't happen here" isn't true.
“When we compare official police reports to how many survivors are utilizing victim advocacy services, it is a stark difference.”
Morgan said they have seen a correlation between alcohol and sexual assault, and 75% of the time the victim knows who assaulted them.
“I feel like we should live in a world where we don't have to tell women stick with your friends, don't drink too much, don't wear this,” said student Myrianna Bakou.
Morgan hopes she can start a discussion about campus sexual assault and change the perception of victims who report it.
“Hopefully we are making this process safe for survivors to come forward and tell,” she said.
Voices of Hope has a 24-hour hotline for anyone to call, the line in anonymous and Morgan stresses the importantance of confidentiality and protecting whoever comes to them.
Hotline: 402-475-7273
