By Jolie Price

Contrary to popular belief, the number of reported rape cases in Cache County is up, according to Rebeka Alpisa, Director of Victim Services for Cache County.

One program that has brought more women forward and made the investigation process much easier for the victim is the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART.) The team was effective in many states across the country and was brought to Cache Valley in 1997. The SART program is a team made up a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, a CAPSA representative and a law enforcement official. The team members have the victim tell their story only once to all three individuals at the same time so they don't have to repeat the story to each individual separately.

According to Betsy Franchina, a CAPSA representative, this program was set up because "too many people were reluctant to go to the hospital for an exam because Logan is a fairly small town and often victims know someone in the emergency room. Now the examination process has moved to a private clinic to protect the individuals privacy.

According to Rebekah Alpisa, "Only four years ago an article in Glamour magazine stated Cache County was one of the worst counties to get raped."

Between 1988 and 1995 no rapes were reported in the valley. However, since 1996 the number of reported cases had doubled every year and in the past six months 62 new cases have been brought to the attention of Victim Services.

Utah State University Police statistics show in 1998, four rapes were reported, in 1997, seven rapes were reported and in 1996, one was reported.

Sorority women on campus are even less likely to report a rape. According to Victim Services 10 percent never tell anyone, including a parent or best friend and only 3 to 4 percent ever report rape to law enforcement officials.

In Cache County whether the case is prosecuted or not, the victim receives all services free including counseling, exams and medical bills.