Editor:

There has recently been an article published in the Herald titled "Report: More rapes, fewer robberies." I would just like to bring some attention to the numbers that are reported within the article. While they are true and seem to be on the rise, there are reasons for this. While it may seem that more and more cases are occurring, in fact these numbers only reflect that more and more victims are more willing to come forward and report the crime. It does not mean that rapes are occurring more than usual. It seems to reason that the numbers of occurring cases still hovers around what it has in past years. Now, we are seeing the actual numbers of these cases with the rise in reports. This can be credited immensely to the continued work of the Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault Center (SRSAC). They serve Bulloch, Screven and Jenkins counties and work to see that no case of any form of rape, sexual assault or domestic violence goes unheard. Thanks in great part to their continued efforts to educate the community of these issues, more and more individuals are more comfortable reporting when one of these crimes occurs. SRSAC is now housed in an entirely new building, The Teal House, which offers a more intimate, comfortable location for victims of assault or rape to come and be treated.

Sincerely,
Gabrielle Collins
SRSAC Intern