Downers Grove Teen Creates College Sex Assault Database

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Downers Grove South senior Therese Malinowski was looking into prospective colleges when she realized there was a dearth of information about sexual assault at colleges and universities. Malinowski decided to take matters into her own hands by creating the Dandelion Project Database, which collects information about sexual assault at colleges and universities throughout Illinois.

The subject is very personal for Malinowski, who has a close friend who was a victim of sexual assault. She was also inspired by the documentary Hunting Ground, which chronicles sex assault cover-ups at colleges.

To create the database, Malinowski teamed up with Family Shelter Service of Metropolitan Family Services of DuPage. The database, which was part of Malinowski's Girl Scout Gold Award project, is sponsored by the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the Girl Scouts, and Metropolitan Family Services of DuPage.

In a statement about the database, Malinowski said, "Project Dandelion is a chance to help students investigate their concerns without spending hours online, while also raising awareness for the topic in general. I know for me already, I have begun to look at college safety through a more critical lens after creating this site. I really hope that it helps other students the same way it helps me."

Malinowski will give a presentation on the Project Dandelion Database Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Downers Grove Public Library.

What: Project Dandelion Database presentation

When: Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.

Where: Downers Grove Public Library, first floor meeting room, 1050 Curtiss St., Downers Grove