Sexual assault is an act that breaks a person's trust or safety and is sexual in nature. Sexual assaults are acts of violence where sex is used as the weapon. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, an American woman is raped every two minutes, one in three women will be raped in their lifetime, and one out of every four college women has been the victim of rape or attempted rape. Victims do not cause their assaults and are never to blame.
Sexual assault is a crime that is increasing at an alarming rate.
In Iowa alone, more than 1,800 sexual assaults were reported to law enforcement in 1998. This is an 8.5 percent increase since 1997. Sexual assaults do happen at Iowa State in residence halls, Greek houses and off-campus housing. Alcohol plays a large factor in many acquaintance rapes, and Iowa State is no exception. During the 2000 Sexual Assault Awareness Month there will be many activities focusing on sexual assault education, prevention and awareness.