Group focuses on sexual assault

By PEI SHEN
Collegian Staff Writer

Although there are counseling services on campus that deal with sexual assault, Penn State Survive is a new peer counseling group and referral service for sexual assault victims as well as friends of victims.

"The initial cause of the group is to address sexual assault on this campus in a peer setting," said Student Counselor Jenifer Bratter (senior-psychology).

The group was conceptualized by Patty Johnstone, assistant director of the Center for Women Students, who is concerned that victims of sexual assault and friends of victims are not getting the help they need.

Johnstone said many survivors of sexual assault do not know where to go for help on a big campus and are afraid to come forward. Johnstone's concern is supported by research studies on campus rape. In these studies, 95 percent of rape victims on college campuses do not report rapes to authorities.

"They are afraid that if they go to a staff member, that staff member may make them report it, which would not happen with Penn State Survive," Johnstone said. "Also, I think a lot of sexual assault victims really feel isolated from their friends because of the experience. This program is a real way to bridge that gap so that the victim can talk to a peer who does understand and not feel so isolated."

Bratter agreed with Johnstone, saying, "The initial relating of the experience might be easier with someone in a relative age group. Sometimes there is a sense of intimidation with an administrator because of the setting. A peer counselor is another way of addressing the issue."

Student Counselor Carrie Morgan (junior-psychology) thought there was a need for a group like Penn State Survive when she became involved.

"I didn't see anything out there that was specifically for women and men dealing with sexual assault and I was surprised that something like this wasn't done before," Morgan said.

So far, the organization consists of 12 peer counselors who work at specific drop-in locations in the dorms from Monday through Thursday between 2 and 4 p.m. Their presence in the dorms makes counseling more accessible to students during the week and was a conscious decision on the group's part.

Student counselors can provide more information on drop-in counseling locations at 863-2020.