ORONO, Maine — Each year, approximately 13,000 Mainers experience sexual violence, according to statistics cited by the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Despite that, only 359 rapes or attempted rapes were reported to Maine law enforcement in 2013, the coalition noted.
That’s one of the reasons a University of Maine fraternity has taken on ending sexual violence as one of its causes.
Held each fall on the Orono campus, Rock Against Rape — part concert, part party — aims to raise awareness of rape and sexual assault on college campuses while raising money for Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance, the sexual assault response service for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties and for parts of Hancock, Waldo and Somerset counties.
Sigma Phi Epsilon member Jeffrey Rogers coordinated this year’s edition, held on the Stewart Commons Quad. About $1,000 had been raised as the event was getting underway late Friday afternoon.
“We’re looking to donate as much as we possibly can,” said Rogers, who grew up in Bangor and is a junior pursuing a double major in finance and financial economics.
“We feel it’s a really strong issue, especially on college campuses,” Rogers said.
He said he had seen statistics indicating that one out of every four women on college campuses is affected by sexual violence in some way and only 3 percent of rapes on campuses are reported.
One of the reasons the event takes place on campus is because the freshman dorms are there.
“Freshmen come onto campus not understanding this entirely new perspective that they need to have, so we really want to raise that awareness,” he said.
The event is held shortly after the new academic year begins for a similar reason, he said.
“We all know that freshmen come down and they like to party and the sort of independence that comes with it. So we just really like to raise the awareness of what rape is and why you shouldn’t do it and what consent actually is,” he said.
Last year’s event drew an estimated 800 students and faculty members, Rogers said, adding that, with Friday’s unseasonably warm weather, this year’s event might surpass that.
The Rock Against Rape event comes as the University of Maine System considers a new policy on sex crimes and domestic violence.
The proposed policy was introduced to the UMS board of trustees in late August. It seeks, among other things, to redefine terms such as dating violence, sexual harassment and consent to a sexual act.
It was produced amid a national movement to reduce the incidence of sexual violence on campuses and among students.
Notably, the 15-page policy, which is in draft form, clearly defines consent as an active declaration rather than the lack of an objection.
It further states that if a person is incapacitated because of drugs or alcohol or for whatever reason does not understand the extent of the situation unfolding, then there is no consent.
The new policy addresses the issue of confidentiality, stating that the university encourages those who have experienced sex discrimination, harassment or assault, dating or domestic violence, stalking or retaliation to talk to someone about what happened so they can get the support they need and so the university can respond appropriately.
Spruce Run prevention and awareness educator Adriana Hopkins was among the nonprofit’s staffers who turned up at the campus event.
“We always bring our brochures, and our brochures talk about our 24-hour hotline, which is free and confidential. We have shelter services, transitional housing service and, really importantly, we have support groups and children’s groups,” she said.
Asked if sexual violence was more of a problem on campus or in the broader community, Hopkins had this to say:
“It is typically harder to know that, but we’ve seen a definite rise in police saying, ‘You know, this is an issue. We want to combat it. How can we help you?’”
She also stressed the importance of reporting the cases that do happen.
“The more you report it, the more awareness there is, the more attention it is getting, so that means there’s more being done to stop it,” she said.
To reach a sexual assault advocate, call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line at 800-871-7741, TTY 888-458-5599. This free and confidential 24-hour service is accessible from anywhere in Maine. Calls are automatically routed to the closest sexual violence service provider.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.
Bangor Daily News writer Nell Gluckman contributed to this report.