Sexual assault that happens on college campuses is a problem that has existed for many years. Everyone is at risk for becoming a victim of sexual assault, but the majority of victims are women. Between the time women start college and when they graduate, an estimated one out of four of them will be the victim of attempted rape, and one out of six will be raped. According to statistics, 85 to 90 percent of these victims will be raped by someone they know—a date or an acquaintance—and most will not report the crime. Alcohol is a factor in nearly 75 percent of the incidents.

Many sexual assaults on college campuses happen during the first two weeks of classes. Moving to college can bring students into contact with new people and new places that are unfamiliar and may be unsafe. Students should have a heightened sense of awareness when going to social events in their first few months on campus. Always be sure to take a friend with you, bring your cell phone, carefully monitor what you are drinking, trust your intuition, and be sure to become familiar with your surroundings so you know how to leave or get help if needed.

If you observe a sexual assault or a potential sexual assault, make your presence known. Don’t be a bystander; intervene in any way you can. Create a distraction, and if you need help, ask a friend, a resident assistant, or even a bartender or bouncer to help you.

In 2013, the federal government instituted an initiative called the Campus Save Act. The act mandates that all universities must provide sexual assault, violence, and harassment education to students. The Campus Save Act provides an amendment to the Clery Act of 1990, which the federal government implemented after a woman was raped and killed. The Clery Act required postsecondary institutions to report sexual crimes and related statistics. Colleges can report cases of sexual misconduct, but as always, the student’s information must remain confidential. It is always up to the victim to decide how he or she would like to proceed after a sexual assault has occurred. You can find out more about the Campus Save Act by visiting campussaveact.org, contacting your campus security office, or contacting your student judicial office.

Whether sexually assaulted by a date or by a stranger, a victim can suffer long-term traumatic effects and mental health consequences such as depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Many victims essentially blame themselves, but the only person at fault for a sexual assault is the perpetrator. If you are a victim of sexual assault, regardless of whether you choose to report it to the police, it is very helpful to seek counseling from a campus sexual assault coordinator, a local rape crisis center, the campus police department, student health services, women’s student services, a local hospital emergency room, or a campus chaplain. Here are some steps you can take to help a sexual assault victim: