The Ball State University Counseling Center is trying to create a new avenue for male survivors of sexual assault.
Lee Van Donselaar, sexual assault team coordinator, said the center will offer a weekly group therapy session for men if enough students express interest.
The counseling center already provides individual counseling to both men and women, he said.
Survivors groups have been available to women, Van Donselaar said. The counseling center has been aggressive in seeking out women to take advantage of the service, and it decided the same service should be available to men, he said.
"Both males and females progress through stages of healing," Van Donselaar said. "It is often difficult for survivors of sexual assault to work through the stages and experience healing without professional assistance. Seeking help is not easy for anyone, but this obstacle appears to be even more difficult for male survivors."
Statistics provided by the center reveal that the percentage of students seeking assistance for cases of sexual assault or abuse increased from the 2005-2006 to 2006-2007 school years, Van Donselaar said.
Erin Snyder, intern at the center, said group therapy allows survivors of sexual assault to realize they are not alone.
On average, fewer men than women report rape to the police, Snyder said.
Van Donselaar said group meetings require five or more participants. The center attempted to organize a men's therapy group during Fall Semester, but not enough men showed interest, he said.
Snyder said conflicting schedules also made establishing a group session difficult.
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