Situations such as recent charges against Kobe Bryant force society to search for the truth about sexual assault. The rest of the time, the figures lie.

The number of reported criminal assaults are far less than the actual amount of times they happen.

Eastern’s University Police Department reported four incidents of criminal sexual assault in 2003; two of the four happened in March.

The UPD’s figures for last year are just the “tip of the iceberg,” especially since the Counseling Center alone sees around 10 cases a year of sexual assault, said Director David Onestak.

Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Service received 20 reports of sexual assault between July 1, 2002 and June 30 of last year.

Even though 12 more assaults have been reported to SACIS this fiscal year, most students aren’t aware of the details surrounding sexual assault at Eastern, said, Misti Farler, the organizations director of adult education.

This week, a friend told me about three Eastern students he knew personally who had been sexually assaulted. They didn’t report what happened; one of them left school.

I was shocked. Distracted by the quaint feel of Charleston and a campus that always seems safe, I couldn’t believe he was telling me about even one student who had recently been assaulted.

I’ve never been assaulted, and no one I’m close to has told me it’s happened to them.

I think I’m in control of my life. I wake up when I want to, I start conversations, go to class, balance my checkbook and send e-mails all when I want to. It’s hard to imagine someone else making the decisions; another person forcing something against my will. Add violence, and that is exactly what happens in assault cases.

The Counseling Center wants to bring more attention to sexual assault.

The center wants it to be the issue that is focused on most in the future, Onestak said.

He said education is still necessary to keep an awareness of sexual assault, especially letting men know what constitutes as assault.

“I think there’s an awareness about it, but I’m not sure if people are aware of what to do about it or how to prevent it,” he said.

SACIS classifies sexual assault as forced anal, oral or vaginal penetration in a forceful manner without consent.

It’s sometimes not reported because the victim wants to pretend like they were never assaulted, or they don’t want to face the possibility of meeting their perpetrator through pressing charges, Onestak said.

If not the police, Onestak said students should talk to someone if they are assaulted. The Counseling Center can be reached at at 581-3413. Students can receive emergency appointments, and counselors are not legally required to inform police about information nonminors tell counselors.

SACIS can also see individuals in an emergency. The group is located in the basement of Lawson Hall or contact 348-5033. Their 24 hour hotline is 1-888-345-2846.

Information on sexual assault isn’t discussed enough at Eastern, and it’s not the only issue. Members of the campus community are still racist, they are still homophobic, but it could be because of ignorance. Eastern’s campus isn’t the only place by any means where everyone’s still not seen equally.

University groups can change that.

Farler said Eastern’s community is at a standstill in providing information on sexual assault and other more controversial issues.

“I think it’s a closed campus to a lot of issues if it’s not in the norm or it’s not on someone’s agenda,” she said.

SACIS offers to speak to residence hall floors, sports teams, fraternities, sororities and other groups, but the educational opportunity is not required.

The University of Illinois requires parts of the university community to hear information on sexual assault, Farler said.

Whatever we do at Eastern can be added to. Workshops can be planned, speakers can present facts and organizations can seek to inform their members, but students still have to listen.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Go to one of the many events SACIS and other groups are sponsoring.

Let’s change awareness at Eastern. Recognize there are minds that can be educated, and not just about sexual assault.