Photograph by Steven Higgs

Sexual assault is a pervasive problem on the IU and other American campuses. And it is a dramatically under-reported crime, often because the assailants are also acquaintances. The IU students in this photo of a 2005 rally donned numbers representing the number of assault victims that year. The annual Take Back the Night rally and march took place on Sept. 25.

Four sexual assaults have been reported at IU already this school year, according to the IU Police Department (IUPD).

And while that number is high, it's not unusually so. And the actual figure is most likely greater.

"With forcible offenses, police stations around the nation only have reports of 12-25 percent of the actual amount," said IUPD Capt. Jerry Minger. "I can only assume that holds true for non-forcible offenses too."

Forcible offenses include unwanted fondling, forcible sodomy, attempted rape and rape. Non-forcible offenses include obscene communication, peeping, indecent exposure and statutory rape.

The risk of sexual assault in Bloomington is higher because of the large female population on campus. And Take Back the Night (TBTN) organizers want women to be aware.

TBTN is an annual, student-group-sponsored fundraiser that aims to educate students and the community about sexual and domestic violence, while remembering the victims who have had to overcome such adversity.

Middle Way House, a shelter for sexual assault and domestic abuse victims, receives all the proceeds raised at the event, which this year was scheduled to take place on Sept. 25 but was rescheduled to an as-yet unannounced time due to weather.

TBTN is a way to support the victims of abuse, let them tell their stories and raise awareness about the violence, said Friends of Middle Way House President Bethany Bey.

As many as one in four women fall victim to domestic abuse at least once in their lifetime. And every 41 seconds an American female is raped, with 50 percent of the victims falling between 12 and 24 years of age, according to the Middle Way Web site.

Even more alarming is that 85 percent of sexual assaults are committed by an acquaintance of the victim, according to the IU Health Center Web site.

Minger said that when victims are attacked by acquaintances, they are less likely to report it to the police.

"Particularly with rape, victims feel like they have been part of the cause," he said. "So in many cases they are not looking for retribution, but rather closure for themselves."

Bey can understand this rationale.

"Sadly, most people feel better keeping it to themselves," she said. "Because when it is publicized, there is a lot of emphasis put on the victim, and that is not something they want after an event like that."

And the taboo placed on sexual and domestic abuse in our society hinders open discussion about this violence, said coordinator of Raising Awareness of Interactions in Sexual Encounters Kristen N. Jozkowski.

"I think people don't want to talk about it because first they don't want to admit it's happening," she said. "And secondly, they don't want to admit that they are at risk."

Both women agree that education is key in reducing the risk of sexual assault. If there is more awareness about this subject, there is better chance of reducing offenses, they say.

"The only way to stop sexual assault is by stopping the perpetrator," Bey said. "... But to prevent that situation, education helps."

While they admit more could be done, both women are hindered in their efforts by individuals’ apprehension over sexual assault. Awareness efforts made on campus are effective, but they reach a limited audience, said Jozkowski.

The groups sponsoring TBTN hope that this event will increase discussion between students and community members.

Sexual abuse and domestic violence are hard topics to talk about, but they happen more than people realize, said Bey.

Jozkowski said TBTN is a voice for the victims who have remained quiet. It's about empowering both women and men to take control through shared stories, knowledge and support.

"It's an event to reclaim what should already be there," she said.

Erica Ballard can be reached at elballar@indiana.edu.