Text of August 6, 2005 E-mail from Senator Brigid Farrell
Subject: University Senate Presentor
Mr. Swalagin:
I had a meeting a few days ago with Ruth Anne Koenick, the Director
for the Department of Sexual Assault Services and Crime Victim
Assistance. She mentioned to me that in previous years, she was able
to present a brief report to the senate on the status of sexual
assault crimes and dating violence on campus. It would be extremely
beneficial to the university community if she were to give a similar
presentation this year, in light of recent attacks.
It is necessary for the senate to understand issues surrounding sexual
assault and violence--there are many misconceptions that have been
allowed to flourish. In addition, it is important for the senate to
lead the university in recognizing that while attacks that occur
outside of university property are legally considered off campus, we
recognize that the "well, it happened off-campus" mentally is
detrimental, both to the psychological health of the victims, as well
as to the culture of denial that it fosters.
This is an important first step in improving the understanding of
sexual assault and dating violence. While few crimes are officially
reported each year, the Department of Sexual Assault Services and
Crime Victim Assistance can confirm that dozens more occur and are not
officially reported. It has been shown that only a small
number--about 5%--or sexual assaults are ever reported. Thus, we can
see that even if the reported number is small, the number of student
affected is much larger than we would like to hope.
I hope you will strongly consider inviting the Department of Sexual
Assault Services and Crime Victim Assistance to a full body meeting,
as was done in previous years.
I look forward to working with you this year.
Best,
Brigid
--
Brigid E. Farrell
Student Representative to the Board of Governors