Sexual assault cases on the rise, PSU police say

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Sexual assault cases are on the rise at Penn State University, according to university police.

reported that university police received their 20th report  on Monday, which Deputy Chief of Police Thomas Sowerby said is particularly high for the fall semester. In 2014, for example, 17 cases were reported for the entire year.

Sowerby said the number of reports usually peaks on weekends, but campaigns like "It's On Us" and "Stand for State" could be making a difference in the number of assaults that are reported.

"Maybe that's why we do see the number higher -- people are willing to report the crimes to us," Sowerby said.  "I think that could be a large factor that we are reaching our community and they feel comfortable going (to police), to a degree."

Some students told

it seems that reports of sexual assault seem to be becoming the norm.

"I wake up to an alert every day," said Azure Chesney. "And it's just really unfortunate."

Chesney said it's prompted her to change her daily routine on and off campus.

"I do take the emails into consideration. I do take the alerts into consideration, and I definitely I'm never alone when I go out," she said.

Police encourage students to be aware of their surroundings, limit their alcohol intake and travel with friends when they go out.  As a male student, Donovan Bell said he hopes to play a part in changing the trend.

"It starts from us stopping that. Half of that stuff wouldn't even happen if it takes one person to say, 'Hey man, that's not cool,'" Bell said.

According to recent Penn State surveys, 10 percent of female students reported being sexually assaulted, 12 percent reported being stalked and 9 percent said they had encountered violence in a relationship.

Cox Media Group