According to University Health Services (UHS) statistics, five times as many sexual assaults were reported to resource centers than to Penn State University Police from 2003 to 2004.

The UHS statistics include sexual assaults reported to the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Center for Women Students, Residence Life, Judicial Affairs and the Centre County Women's Resource Center, 140 W. Nittany Ave.

Peggy Lorah, director of the Center for Women Students, said the reported number of sexual assaults is only "the tip of the iceberg."

"[Reported cases are] not most of the instances that happen. I think the statistics the Department of Justice uses is that one in 10 will report it," she said. "Nationwide, and certainly it's true at Penn State, most victims don't tell anyone."

According to UHS statistics, 107 sexual assaults were reported from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004.

However, only 20 sexual assaults were reported to Penn State University Police from Jan. 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004.

Statistics over the past several years have reflected the same trend of more sexual assaults being reported to UHS, CAPS and student resources centers than police, with 100 reported assaults from 2002 to 2003 and 94 assaults reported from 2001 to 2002.

Lorah said many victims do not report incidents to police.

"Local police and university police work hard to be victim sensitive and are part of the coalition ... but most victims aren't going to report to police, in spite of their best efforts," she said. "I think there is a perception that if they talk to the police ... they have to follow through with criminal charges."

University Police Supervisor Tyrone Parham said victims should report the sexual assault so it can be documented.

"Some victims don't realize they're in control; if they don't want anything done [with pressing charges], we'll respect that," Parham said. "... Unfortunately that's one of the things people don't realize."

Parham said that sometimes victims do not report sexual assaults if they were involved in underage drinking.

"Some victims think [if] there is alcohol involved, they think prosecution is involved, which is definitely untrue," Parham said.

Lorah said victims are likely to talk to someone close to them about an assault.

"In a college setting, they're more likely to talk to a roommate or best friend," Lorah said. "That's one of the reasons we do education, so you are an 'askable' friend, someone who a victim is much more likely to talk to."

UHS Marketing Manager Ellen Nagy said in the past several years, Sexual Assault Response Teams have been created to help "provide a unified response" to sexual assaults.

"There is the forensic examiner, the law enforcement and a counselor or victim's advocate," she said. "All four of those resources are in the same place ... whereas, in the past, the victim has had to tell their story more than once."

Dawn McKee, Centre County Women's Resource Center Director of Education, said some sexual assault victims would come forward, concerning sexual assaults "from years ago."

"There are common reasons [that victims don't report assault immediately]; victims don't think they'll be believed or they fear reprisal from the person they are accusing," McKee said.