LETTER: Sexual assault isn’t the victim’s fault

Thank you to Luke Jennett and Cara Harris for your recent articles on sexual assault. Sexual assault is a serious and under-reported crime throughout the world, and I commend both of you for increasing public awareness about the challenges a person may face when considering whether to report this crime.

I do wish to clarify information about Story County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and its statistics.

SART provides a multidisciplinary, countywide response to sexual assaults and consists of nine agencies, including the ISU Police Division, where the program is housed. Cases typically involve response by a three-person team consisting of a specially trained officer, an ACCESS advocate and a sexual assault nurse examiner. Although victims/survivors are able to choose which resources are best for them, most people opt to speak with law enforcement as part of the SART response.

Of the 49 cases to which SART responded in 2003, 21 involved ISU students, and all but three of the 21 students met with law enforcement. Most sexual assaults of ISU students occur off-campus and are thus investigated by the Ames Police Department, another SART agency.

Off-campus assaults are included in SART but not campus statistics, which explains the discrepancy between DPS and SART numbers.

They are correct to point out that sexual assaults are greatly under-reported.

SART statistics themselves likely say little about the true incidence of sexual assault in our community.

I, too, thank survivors who have the courage to report their assault. They bring our community justice and safety and above all, give voice to their experience and acknowledge that sexual assault isn’t their fault.

Heather Priess

Coordinator

Story County SART