Violence on college campuses is a problem across the country. Half of all college students in Nebraska have reported some type of abuse and freshmen are particularly vulnerable.

Stories of violence often remain in the shadows, beneath the surface of college life. "When I was 18 years old I was raped by an acquaintance of mine,” says Rachel, who wants to protect her identity by not disclosing her last name.

She was attacked by someone she knew, not by the stereotypical stranger lurking in the bushes. "It was something that was hard for me even to admit to myself that it was rape and then start to be able to talk to other people about that."

That's why UNO’s Voices Against Violence is launching a campaign on campus called “Break The Silence,” bringing all types of violence to light.

"The first couple weeks of school, students are particularly vulnerable to violence because they're in a new setting, they have a high need to fit in,” says Marcia Adler, director of Student Health Services. Adler says safety concerns cost students academic time.

"It's great that they're bringing attention to it, especially to this age group," says UNO senior Jenny Kitamura. “Hopefully, bring enough awareness that people know how to avoid situations like that before they get violent, before they get carried away."

The goal is for these students to take that message outside of the campus setting and into the community, apply it to their daily lives for years to come.

"I think if we get it at the 19, 20-year-old level and it's ingrained in us, we'll have better tuning skills so that we can help our own kids be more resilient,” says Adler.

For Rachel, it's also about letting victims know they're not alone or to blame. "This experience is not just some wasted thing in my life that set me back, but it's something I can use to help others."

UNO works with outside partners like the YWCA to provide help and information for anyone affected by violence. To learn more, contact UNO Health Services at 554-2374.