On Monday, Vice President Joe Biden announced a national sexual assault awareness campaign that will be introduced in K-12 schools and colleges — but some say that the Penn State community has been implementing similar measures for years.

The national campaign aims to educate students on how to prevent and report sexual assault, file sexual assault complaints, assist victims, and pursue disciplinary action against students accused of sexual assault, according to a Department of Education press release.

Also spearheaded by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, the campaign will support Title IX — the federal law that prohibits sexual discrimination, violence, and harassment in schools. The campaign will send letters to schools and universities outlining their obligations to educate students on sexual assault under Title IX, according to the press release.

Nationwide, at least one in four college women will be sexually assaulted during her academic career, according to 2010 statistics from the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault. At least 80 percent of all sexual assaults are committed by an acquaintance of the victim, according to the same statistics.

Locally, two female students have reported being sexually assaulted — one off-campus and one in an on-campus residence hall — in the past week and a half, according to police reports. In 2009, police received 16 reports of forcible sex offenses on- and off-campus, according to statistics provided by Penn State under the Clery Act.

Director of the Center for Women Students at Penn State Peggy Lorah said sexual assault is an ongoing problem, so the vice president’s announcement was a step in the right direction.

“I think Joe Biden is just continuing a lifetime of advocating for women who have been victims of violence,” Lorah said. “Here at Penn State, it’s something students deal with often … Every year there are students who are victims of sexual assault and don’t come forward. It’s a problem on any campus.”

To Karin Foley, chair of Penn State’s Commission for Women, educational measures are an “important piece of any program.” Still, Foley said she doesn’t think that alone would prevent sexual assault altogether.

Penn State currently offers several programs aimed at curbing sexual assault — including the 865-WALK security escort service, self-defense classes, counseling services and others — university spokeswoman Jill Shockey said.

Even with these in place, Shockey said it’s still important that all students look out for one another.

“Of course sexual assault is not just a crime against women. There are male victims as well,” Shockey said. “Men and women both need to be aware of the risks and look out for each other.”