Assaulted women: You don't have to scream for help

By Martha Martinez

Sexual offenses, on and off campus, are underreported crimes, said Francine Oputa, coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center.

Talking to someone, making a call to the WRC or the University Health and Psychological Services, or calling the Rape Counseling Service’s 24-hour hotline are steps a victim can take after being assaulted. Reporting the assault to the police is the victim’s choice.

“People say ‘I’m OK,’” Oputa said. “But they really need to talk to someone.”

One in every 10 rapes against women and one in every 100 rapes against men get reported, Oputa said.

Often times, victims think that officials won’t believe they were raped, Oputa said. They could be embarrassed or not want to deal with the public nature of the situation, she said.

“There is a lot of shame with having been assaulted,” said Nancy Bleile, a doctor at the health center. “It’s hard to come in and talk about it. It’s hard to go to the doctor, especially about such personal parts of their body.”

The person who assaulted the victim could be someone the victim trusted and they don’t want to get him or her in trouble, Oputa said.

The Campus Safety and Security Report, issued in compliance of the Clery Act, reported one forcible sex offense on campus in 2003. The offense happened in the dorms. Two non-forcible offenses were reported on campus. No offenses were reported in student organization housing off campus, and two forcible offenses were reported on public property across the street from campus.

“Most students aren’t eligible to report on the Clery report,” Bleile said. “Most don’t live on campus or in sorority and fraternity houses.”

Unless the offense happens on campus, across the street from campus, or in a student organization house off campus the security report will not have records of reported assaults.

Rape Counseling Services in Fresno has recorded nearly 700 reported cases of sexual assault within the last year, some of which are Fresno State students, Oputa said.

Women may also feel responsible for the assault because they are taught to be polite, Oputa said.
“We say, ‘No, no stop,’” Oputa said in a timid voice. “We need to say ‘No! I mean it! Stop!’ ” she said in a stern tone.

“You can’t say it enough,” she said. “It’s not your fault.”

When women report to the WRC, it is informal and stays within the center. If they report it to faculty, the situation becomes more formal, which means a report to campus police. Faculty has an official responsibility to report it, Oputa said.

If a person is unsure if he or she was assaulted or raped, he or she could call Rape Counseling Services at 222-RAPE.

Handouts defining sexual assault, statistics and help are provided at the WRC.

If a person chooses to prosecute, evidence must be collected within 72 hours of the assault, Bleile said.

Help dealing with a sexual assault is available at the WRC and the health center. The health center sees about 15 to 20 people claiming sexual assault per academic year, Bleile said.

The health center Web site, www.studentaffairs.csufresno.edu/health/services, provides a guide to preventing and handling sexual assault and domestic violence.

The WRC has many pamphlets and offers support groups.

“It’s a place for women to come and find nonjudgmental support,” Oputa said of the women’s support group held each Wednesday.

Women are strongly encouraged to, at the very least, seek counseling after an assault.

“No really does mean no. It doesn’t mean maybe. It doesn’t mean try harder. It means no,” Oputa said. “People need to realize that if a person doesn’t say yes, then it’s no. It could save a lot of heartache.”