With the new semester under way, new students should be aware of sexual assault and how to protect themselves, according to officials from both the Center for Women Students and Judicial Affairs.

Although sexual assault can happen at any time during a college career, the most dangerous time for women is during their first year, usually during the first six to eight weeks of the first year, Karen Feldbaum, Judicial Affairs associate director, said.

Center for Women Students Director Peggy Lorah said there would be a sexual assault awareness program held at 6 tonight in 117 Osmond Lab, hosted by Penn State University Police and the Center for Women Students.

"New students are vulnerable because the campus is new, and there are a lot of opportunities for socializing, and assailants take advantage of that," Lorah said.

About 100 sexual assaults are reported each year on campus, Feldbaum said. She said that is about 10 percent of all sexual assaults that happen, because not all are reported to the police.

"Sexual assault is any sexual contact with someone without his or her consent," said Corey Cook, Centre County Women's Resource Center education and outreach director.

Sexual assault is not the same as rape. With rape, there is an element of force, Lorah, said.

About 85 percent of assaults happen with an acquaintance as the assailant, she said.

And 80 to 85 percent of assaults happen when alcohol is involved. Anyone can be the victim of a sexual assault, Cook said.

"It happens to people of both genders, all races, ages, ethnicities and sexual orientations," Cook said.

However, a majority of the victims are female, Lorah said.

"One in four women is the victim of an attempted assault, and one in eight women is the victim of a completed sexual assault," she said.

Being female puts you in the most risk, she added. The 16 to 25 age group is the most victimized.

More sexual assaults happen off campus than on campus, usually at apartments, parties or on dates, she said.

If a victim chooses to come forward, he or she can file a report.

"Victims are often reluctant to report a sexual assault for a number of reasons, such as fear of retaliation, shame, guilt, embarrassment, fear that they will not be believed and lack of support," Cook said.

If a person has been assaulted within the last 72 hours, he or she is encouraged to seek medical attention.

"A sexual assault exam can help detect any injuries and be useful in the collection of any evidence," she said. "It is recommended that before an exam, a victim not eat, drink, use the bathroom, shower, etc. to preserve evidence."

Victims should always seek out support, which is offered by the Center for Women Students, the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, University Health Services and Judicial Affairs, Lorah said.

"Nobody is ever responsible for what happens to them. Sexual assault takes away the victim's power, and getting support helps them regain power," Lorah said. "We want to make sure that victims have the access to the sources they need."

Alissa Popovich (sophomore-architectural engineering) said she thinks that a lot of girls are afraid to come forward.

"Sexual assault probably happens more than people know. Little instances probably happen that people don't consider sexual assault but really are," she said.