MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said the case still is being investigated, along with two other cases of criminal sexual conduct, which both occurred early on the morning of Oct. 31 in Rather Hall. Neither of the suspects attend MSU.

Shari Murgittroyd, MSU’s Sexual Assault Program coordinator, cited a report from the U.S. Department of Justice stating that being sexually assaulted by a friend, family member or acquaintance is 60 percent more common than being assaulted by a stranger. This statistic is reflected on MSU’s campus, she said. The vast majority of the 300 to 400 students MSU Sexual Assault Program assists have been assaulted by someone they knew or trusted, she said.

“It’s very rare that we have a stranger sexual assault,” Murgittroyd said. “It doesn’t happen very often, probably just a handful over the last five years since I’ve been here.”

Rebecca Campbell, an MSU associate professor of psychology, said it is not so much a matter that acquaintance rape is happening on campus — it’s that it is being reported.

“It’s happening as we speak right now on this campus, I have no doubt,” Campbell said. “What’s different here was the reporting, the coming forward, and I think that realizes a lot of efforts that have been made on this campus to raise awareness.”

MSU’s Sexual Assault Program recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, and MSU has increased efforts to inform students in the past three to five years, Campbell said.

Two years ago, MSU began the Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Prevention Program, which is mandatory for incoming MSU freshmen. Program coordinator Kelly Schweda said the presentation helps students identify sexual assault and relationship violence.

“When you have a prevention program, people become more aware what sexual violence is and what relationship violence is if they’re meshed in one of the dynamics,” Schweda said. “Just knowing the resources out there can actually boost awareness.”

Erica Phillipich, Olin Health Center sexual health promotion coordinator, said signs of an abusive relationship include coercion, threats, intimidation and isolation, and the effects of an unwanted sexual encounter go beyond pregnancies and STDs.

“There is possibility of physical trauma or injury from hands, other body parts, or not as likely, a weapon,” Phillipich said. “There may also be emotional and mental trauma that a survivor may experience.”

Campbell said acquaintance rape is just as damaging, if not more, than being sexually assaulted by a stranger.

“(Acquaintance rape is) every bit as much real rape as the stranger rape is. The impact on the victim is identical or worse,” Campbell said. “There’s a violation of trust, it’s psychologically more traumatizing.”

Hospitality business junior Alyssa Todd said she felt MSU provided students with adequate resources.

“My freshman year they really pushed the sexual assault line,” she said.