Health & Safety

Support Services for Victims of Rape & Assault

Important Facts About Sexual Assault

  • It is never the survivor’s fault.
  • A survivor’s behavior is irrelevant, including his/her dress. No one deserves, asks for, or provokes sexual assault.
  • It is estimated that as many as 1 in 4 college women will be sexually assaulted during their college years.
  • Recent statistics indicate that 10% of sexual assault survivors are men.
  • Sexual assault is a crime of dominance, control, and power, not love.
  • Sexual assault is a violent and aggressive act. Sexual assault is not a sexual act.
  • Using alcohol or drugs is not an excuse for sexual assault.
  • Submission out of fear is not consent, and does not imply failure on the part of the survivor.
  • A survivor of acquaintance or date rape is as much a survivor as someone assaulted by a stranger.
  • Survivors may experience many after effects as a result of sexual assault, and individual reactions may vary.

Committee on Sexual Assault Prevention

Appointed annually by the Vice President for Student Affairs, Notre Dame’s Committee on Sexual Assault Prevention (CSAP) offers advice and guidance to the Office of Student Affairs on how to assist and support victims of sexual assault. It facilitates collaboration and communication among the different departments and student groups working to address sexual violence and spearheads a variety of rape education/prevention initiatives.

Committee for Sexual Assault Prevention, 2009-10

  • Ann Firth, Assoc. V.P. for Student Affairs, Co-Chair
  • Bill Kirk, Assoc. V.P. for Residence Life, Co-Chair
  • Ava Preacher, Assistant Dean of Arts and Letters
  • Cathy Pieronek, Assistant Dean of Engineering
  • John Duman, Professor of Biology
  • Mandy Lewis, Student
  • Tim Latham, Student
  • Miriam Olsen, Student
  • Patrick Tighe, Student
  • Nella McOsker, Student
  • Cynthia Weber, Student
  • Zach Miller, Student
  • Jeff Shoup, Director, Office of Residence Life and Housing
  • Susan Steibe-Pasalich, Director, University Counseling Center
  • Chris Nowak, Director, Office of Alcohol and Drug Education
  • Heather Rakoczy Russell, Director, Gender Relations Center
  • Elizabeth Moriarty, Asst. Director, Gender Relations Center
  • Annie Envall, S-O-S
  • Charmelle Green, Asst. Athletic Director
  • Phil Johnson, Director, Notre Dame Security Police
  • Keri Kei Shibata, Crime Prevention Officer, Notre Dame Security Police
  • Kathy Brannock, Asst. Director, Office of Institutional Equity
  • Rev. John Conley, CSC, Rector
  • Ms. Amy de la Torre, Rector
  • Slandah Diejuste , Director of Residence Life, St. Mary’s College
  • Cathe DeCleene, Director of Women’s Health, St. Mary’s College