By EMILY WINSETT
Staff Writer
 

Assault report forms are available from the Health Center. When filled out and returned, they are logged to crime statistics, without legal channeling. This change is a "good effort by the school to report the statistics accurately," said Emily Kleinman '98, co-coordinator of S.A.R.L. The fact that the reports are anonymous makes it easier for women to document their assaults because there is no longer the underlying fear of being identified as a victim.

Despite the confidentiality, women are still hesitant to report their assaults. Laura Shearer, Co-Coordinator of S.A.R.L., said that the hotline only gets six calls per year regarding sexual harassment, and even those calls are "more advice than emergency."

There are a vast number of resources available for assault victims both within and outside of the college.

Stephen Sawyer, associate dean of students, said that the "goal of the school is to give students lots of different doors to knock on to get advice."

Within the school, students can discuss the assault with the Health Center or take the event to the Student Conduct Committee. The ruling by the S.C.C. "varies in each case, depending upon the particular circumstances," said Dean of Students F. Celeste Branham.

Externally, students can report the incident to the police. It is important to note that the options are not exclusive. "In the majority of the cases," said Branham, "students simply want to talk through their options, not necessarily formalize a complaint."

This, however, is one of S.A.R.L.'s major frustrations. "People aren't aware of their choices, which is not entirely S.A.R.L's responsibility," Kleinman said.

"We're not supposed to teach, we're supposed to help," added Shearer.

Kleinman said that "the school's making a good effort to report statistics accurate to their knowledge."

One of the main frustrations that the deans office spoke about was the notion that the sexual assault reports are covered up for public relation purposes. That is "just not true," said Sawyer. "First and foremost is the welfare of the individuals involved."

Students who are victims need to feel that their reports are confidential, which is why the resources available are confidential. As Branham comments, "our role is to give control back to the victim."