College years can be a dangerous period for women, as most rape victims are between the ages of 15 and 19.

Penn State women are not exempt from that threat.

One in every eight women will be raped during her college years and one in every four will be the victim of an attempted sexual assault.

Although statistics may seem cold and distant, rape incidents do happen close to home, perhaps to a roommate, perhaps to a friend. And because rape is a violent crime of personal invasion, the effects reach far beyond those of other crimes.

From July 1988 to June 1989, five on-campus rapes were reported to University Police Services. Another rape was reported last December to the State College Bureau of Police Services. Even more distressing are the facts that 90 percent of all rapes go unreported and charges are seldom filed.

Many medical, legal and emotional resources and programs are available at the University and in the community for victims of sexual assault or rape.

Some medical services -- both free and confidential -- include the following:

-- An arrangement between the University and the Centre Community Hospital, which provides free emergency examination and follow-up care for victims of sexual assault. The service can be reached by calling 911 off campus and 110 on campus. Callers must identify themselves as students.

-- Centre County Women's Resource Center, which also offers trained volunteers to transport victims of rape to the hospital. Its hotline number is 234-5050.

-- Non-emergency treatment, which can be arranged by calling the University's Women's Health Department at 863-2633.

A number of counseling and victim-advocacy services are available for students:

-- The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services staff at Ritenour is on 24-hour call for emergencies at 863-0395. Individual and group counseling are available from 8 to 5, Monday through Friday.

-- The Center for Women Students provides advocacy, counseling, information and referrals from 8 to 5, Monday through Friday. The center's staff can be reached at 863-2027.

When such a brutal crime happens, these services can provide victims with needed care and help those victims cope with the trauma.