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A woman alleging she was sexually assaulted at a campus fraternity party spoke with a University of Wisconsin advisor shortly after a police investigation began, according to a representative from a campus support organization.
Laura Dunn, an advisor with Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment, speaking independently of the organization, said she suggested the woman speak with a UW advisor about suspending her classes after the alleged Dec. 9 incident.
"The whole reason I advised her (is because) I was personally victimized my freshman year," Dunn said. "When I started going through the criminal process, one of my interviews came at finals week — no one ever told me I had the option of seeking an incomplete (grade)."
Dunn added with finals approaching in mid-December, it was important for the victim to know that the option was available.
The victim eventually dropped out of UW in the weeks after the alleged incident.
The revelation raises questions about whether the university should have investigated the incident earlier.
According to Elton Crim, interim associate dean of students, state law requires all UW employees with knowledge of sexual assault to report to either the Offices of the Dean of Students or the Department of Equity and Diversity.
However, Crim said the report is only required for UW records and does not include the victim's identity.
"It needs to be reported for statistical purposes only," Crim said. "They don't need to report the who or the what."
Crim added once the report comes in, an investigation is not started unless the victim personally contacts the office.
"If someone says they were the victim of a sexual assault, we try to have that person come to the office and meet, and ask how we would like to proceed," Crim said. "We have lots of cases where they don't want us to do anything."
Dunn said the victim just recently contacted the Offices of the Dean of Students in an attempt to be a part of the university's investigation into the Zeta Psi fraternity.
Crim said the woman did indeed contact them, but added she has not returned phone calls to set up an appointment. In addition, Crim also said the fraternity alcohol investigation has been turned over to a student and faculty judicial committee through the Interfraternity Council.
Despite not completing the fall semester, Dunn said the woman made an attempt to return for the spring semester but encountered complications with her advisor.
When asked if the particular faculty member who knew of the alleged assault should be reprimanded, Dunn said the university has to ensure everyone is aware of the rule.
Dunn added with 5 percent of rape cases going unreported, it is necessary for the university to have a rule in place that requires faculty to report incidents they have knowledge of.
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5% reported, 95% unreported
This whole thing is being blown way out of proportion. People get sexually assaulted all time, so what's so special about this case? If she wanted UW to take action, she would have contacted UW in the first place. Let's get to the real issue: how to eliminate sexual assault. Nit picking policies and who contacted who first is ridiculous.
Agreed. There is absolutely no way that only 5% of rapes are unreported. How many rapes were reported at UW last year? That number is most likely no where near the number of actually rapes that occur. The national statistically percentage of college women who are the victim of rape is somewhere close to 25%. There is absolutely no way that there were even 1,000 rapes reported on the UW campus last year although statistically there were likely 100s more then that.
Have you considered that perhap the number of rapes/sexual assualts is what is being overstated?
Her case is special because she felt that the Madison Police Department was dropping the ball on working on her case. Which is extremely relevant considering the city of Madison recently paid back a woman, who at one point, the police thought she made her sexual assault up, made up the whole thing.
Plus, a university (maybe UW-Madison), and universities in general like to “handle” rape cases themselves. So, there is no official police report. Therefore, nothing has to be reporter in the annual crime stats.
I agree let’s try to end sexual violence, but this case again proves that the systems in place don’t work well and still need to be improved.
I think this is an opportunity to let victims know that there are resources on campus that people are very often unaware of. However, with the response and attention of the university, I would wonder how effective some of those resources are…How many more classmates, coworkers, friends and family members will it take before sexual assault is seen as a real problem and taken seriously on this campus?
“Dunn said the victim just recently contacted the Offices of the Dean of Students in an attempt to be a part of the university's investigation into the Zeta Psi fraternity.”
It really sounds like this girl has motives beyond her “case”.
3:41 - sure, I’m guessing they just pull the numbers from thin air, there cannot be any science behind it [note sarcasm]
65.92% of all statistics are made up on the spot
That’s not true only about 40% of statistics are made up! - Germain E. Stemme
I think the girl just wants attention. It wouldn’t surprise me if she’s one of those girls from the play boy shot who prance around half naked and wonder why these things happen to her. I think sometimes a good head on your shoulders and some modesty could go a long way.