Sexual abuse is a topic that is rarely discussed in public at Saint Louis University.

The Sexual Assault Peer Education program is working to see that it is the elimination of abuse, not the fear of retribution, that keeps the topic out of the public forum here on campus.

Created last year by the Sexual Assault Coalition, a panel made up of faculty and students, the program focuses on creating peer awareness by training students to go out into the SLU community and educate others in the area of sexual assault.

“Men and women need to know fact from myth,” said Janet Tang, a member of SAPE. “There are a number of misconceptions that need to be cleared up.”

Sexual abuse has often been referred to as a “gray” area. Many students are unaware what constitutes sexual assault or sexual abuse. It is also an issue that students may find uncomfortable, whether or not they have been affected directly or indirectly by sexual abuse.

The silence surrounding this issue is deafening considering the size of the problem, especially on a college campus.

According to 1996 statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice, a woman is raped every two minutes somewhere in the United States, and those between the ages of 16 and 19 are three and a half times more likely to become victims.

“People often ask, `How much is it really an issue?'” said Elizabeth Nelson, SAPE Student Coordinator and staff member of the Student Health and Counseling Center.

People may believe that there is no problem because few reported incidents exist.

“Very few survivors of sexual assault come forward to report it,” said Nelson. “We know it is an issue on this campus. Hopefully with this group, because they are peers, people will feel more open [in seeking help].”

Sexual Assault Awareness Week is a direct expression of SAPE’s desire to stamp out the myths surrounding sexual abuse, educate students and open up discussion on campus.

“This is a way to impact the SLU community and empower both men and women,” Tang said. “I bring [men] in because this is not just a female problem.”

“The main focus is awareness, not just education,” said SAPE Co-Chair Kevin Mulloy.

“Make it an issue and get people talking about it. Odds are, during your life, you will be affected.”

When it comes to spreading awareness, Tang said she wanted to “saturate” the campus.

Sexual Assault Awareness Week begins this Monday, Feb. 21. One of the main events during the week is speaker Bob Hall. Hall is a national speaker on conflict resolution in relationships, as well as sexual assault.

The title of his program, “Hands Off, Let’s Talk” focuses on prevention.

The easiest way to avoid the pain of sexual assault, is trying to find means of prevention. This holds for men as well as women.

Other events include a self-defense instructor at the Simon Recreational Center. The instructor will demonstrate techniques and safety tips for students to empower and protect themselves.

One tactic that SAPE is using to cultivate awareness in students is by working in coordination with the bars frequented by students from the SLU community.

SAPE is distributing posters and coasters containing information about sexual assault to bars like Humphrey’s, Bullfeathers and Laclede Street Bar and Grill, in an effort to get students talking.

Nelson said the bars were very willing to get involved.

“We know there is a huge correspondence between alcohol and sexual abuse,” Nelson said. “We wanted to go to the source.

“This is a very confusing issue,” Nelson added. “And if alcohol is involved it becomes even more confused.”

This is the second year that SAPE has been in existence.

The program officially began in the spring of 1999, but only became very active during the fall semester in 1999. The students involved with SAPE have thoroughly enjoyed their time in the program.

“I was asked to join last year,” Mulloy said. “Sexual assault was not a big issue in my life. As I got involved I became very interested.”

“It’s a way of empowering myself,” Tang said. “And having the knowledge to know what to do in situations. It’s very important to me.”

SAPE currently has 18 members and will be recruiting again this spring, so they can begin training for next semester.

Students involved with SAPE give presentations about sexual abuse to groups around campus. SAPE has been very involved with Community 101, a voluntary program for freshmen sponsored by Residence Life that promotes general awareness in areas like alcohol, drugs and sex.