Police investigations into reported sexual assaults are often among the most mysterious and controversial, but officials warn that the process is most taxing on the victims.

“From step one to finish the person victimized is involved. It is very important in these types of situations,” said Loras Jaeger, director of the Iowa State Department of Public Safety.

Since January there have been four sexual assault cases reported to DPS, not an abnormal amount. “There are about a dozen reported a year, but we could have been a referral for a report and may not have investigated it,” Jaeger said.

Sexual assault awareness was heightened on campus in late October with the arrest of Kenny Pratt, an ISU basketball player accused of sexually abusing a female student in a Willow Hall room. Pratt is awaiting trial on charges of third degree sexual abuse. He has not yet entered his plea.

When a victim is sexually assaulted, they are encouraged to report the incident to the authorities, even if they don’t plan on pressing charges.

“It doesn’t mean you’re pressing charges if you talk to the police. There are basically four places for women to go. If raped off campus, the Ames Police Department, DPS on campus, Mary Greeley Medical Center and Student Services,” said Meg Morris, sexual assault awareness coordinator at the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center.

Very few sexual assaults are reported, only about 10 percent. “We are hearing the stories and we can’t say anything,” Morris said. “There is a skewed view with what is being reported and the actual number of assaults.”

Reasons why victims don’t report assaults can vary. There is a fear about being blamed, worry about making a group look bad and institutionalized racism and sexism could play a part, Morris said.

Once a report is made to authorities the sexual assault victim has several options.

“Many people will not pursue criminal charges and make a third-person report to have the incident on record,” Jaeger said.

When there are criminal charges involved, officers take statements, process the crime and make an arrest if there is probable cause, Jaeger said.

After officers investigate the validity of the claim, the alleged aggressor may be charged with sexual abuse.

There are several programs that help the victim after he or she reports a rape. The Iowa Crime Victim Compensation Program helps victims with the costs of rape examination at the hospital and a representative from ACCESS can come to the hospital to provide support.

“It takes a lot of courage to come forward and more courage to prosecute their perpetrator,” said Celia Naylor-Ojurongbe, Director of the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center.

ISU also has a sexual assault task force made up of people who brainstorm about ways to educate and prevent sexual assaults on campus. Members do not talk about specific cases.