Unspoken Hurt

Rape counselors say sexually assaulted women are scared to talk, but help is only a call away

By ERIN O'BRIEN

Each year, female college students throughout the country are sexually victimized and most fail to report the crime, according to the Fresno Rape Counseling Center.

Statistics show that one out of three college females in the United States, ages 18 to 25, will be sexually assaulted in some way. Seventy-seven percent of these victims will know their attacker, and less than 15 percent will report the crime to authorities.

“We have college age individuals come in almost everyday and ask for counseling because they have been assaulted or know someone who has,” said Vanessa Renee Speakers, statistical analyst for the Fresno Rape Counseling Center. “The very sad thing is that these girls are scared and don’t want to report the crime. They just want to wish it away and in reality that can’t be done.”

According to the center’s records, 144 18- to 25-year old women in Fresno County have come to the center this year for counseling after they have claimed to be sexually assaulted.

“Almost all victims go through seven different stages of emotional adjustment in order to deal with their anger and frustration over the crime put upon them,” said Speakers. “They are shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance and assimilation.”

Pamphlets given out by the center have national studies about sexual crimes. According to one national study, 1.3 women in the United States are forcibly raped each minute. That translates to 78 per hour, 1,872 per day and 683,280 per year.

“Our goal is to guide these victims safely through the healing process,” Speakers said. “We also want to focus on prevention. Our center holds self-defense classes, individual group therapy, and prevention education presentation.”

There are multiple fliers at the center that have tips for prevention of sex crimes.

“Most of these tips seem to be common sense,” Speakers said. “But you would be surprised how many girls put themselves in dangerous situations where crimes could have been prevented had they followed them.”

Having peepholes on the front door can help people tell friends from attackers. Also, keeping a phone near the bed and trimming bushes so that no one can hide behind them is crucial to safe living, Speakers said.

Having your keys in hand when approaching your front door or your car, and always checking the interior of your car before getting inside are among other tips given at the center. Twenty-five percent of female victims are taken in or around their car.

“You have to be alert and aware of who is around you when you are on the street,” Speakers said. “Always keep one hand free when walking. That’s important to self-defense.

“Rape is about power and control,” Speakers said. “It’s up to all potential victims to take that power out of the criminal’s hands and take control of your life.”