Few would disagree that sexual assault and rape are sensitive and complicated issues, but a group of local officials discussed Tuesday how victims can rebuild their lives following such an attack.

The panel discussed both avenues for mental recuperation and options for judicial prosecution. "Standards at ResLife are quite different than if you were to go to the police," said Ava Preacher, assistant dean.

Student victims are left with questions and confusion as they attempt to return to a normal life.

"A few years ago a student on campus was raped and actually got the desired result. The perpetrator was released from the University, but she was not pleased with the process," said Preacher, victim's resource person.

This student's initiative to press administrators to increase resources for victims led to the creation of a victim's resource person. Preacher, who accepted the position two years ago, provides information and speaks confidentiality with victims.

"I have seen remarkable women come through my office who have pressed their cases and have gotten results," said Preacher.

Sexual assault victims can also anonymously report their cases to ResLife. "We give students options. We don't tell them what we think they should do," said Jeff Shoup, director of ResLife.

Shoup said students are often unhappy with the results of their ResLife hearings. "We are advocates for the process. We can't be advocates for the accused or victims," said Shoup.

While the University provides information on judicial avenues, it also provides counseling services for those affected by the incident.

Rita Donley, assistant director of the University Counseling Center said, "We recognize the fact that this is the ultimate experience of being out of control."

Though victims can seek immediate help at the University's Counseling Center where a counselor is on call 24 hours a day, many will come to the center afterwards to deal with intimacy and relationship issues, said Donley. The center provides counseling for boyfriends, friends and roommates of victims who do not know how to handle the situation personally or how to act around the victim.

Donley encouraged students who believe they are in abusive relationships to contact a counselor. "Although the state requires me to report certain things, du Lac does not apply there in the sense that if we are going to be helpful we have to talk about certain things," said Donley.

Despite confidentiality, Donley said many assaults and rapes go unreported because of the stigma of being a victim. This prevents many from receiving the help they need. "I see many people who meet the legal definition of a rape victim, but don't want to be labeled," said Donley.

Tuesday's panel was part of sexual assault awareness week. In addition to Preacher, Shoup and Donley, the other panelists were Lynn Bradford, the assistant director of the SOS Rape Crisis Center in St. Joseph County and Phil Johnson, Notre Dame's assistant director of security and policy.

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