MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. -- The young woman who told police that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her at a nightclub has taken a leave of absence from Georgia College & State University, according to her lawyer.

"We'd also ask and hope that people respect the privacy of the family during this very difficult time," said Lee Parks, an Atlanta-based attorney.

Milledgeville, Ga., police said the 20-year-old woman told them that the assault happened early Friday morning at Capital City. She has been traumatized ever since and is back in the Atlanta area with her parents, according to Parks.

"There's a substantial amount of media in Milledgeville seeking interviews and trying to contact people," Parks told Channel 4 Action News. "That certainly wasn't the environment that her family wanted to throw her back into. That's just not something that you would be ready for. You can imagine."

Parks said his role in the process is simple. He views himself as a guide who will keep the family updated on the investigation while the woman is out of school.

"That's why we're involved -- to help the family move through this as best they can," Parks said.

Milledgeville police said they will conduct several interviews this week, and they want to speak with Roethlisberger and possibly get a DNA sample from him.

Roethlisberger’s lawyer, Ed Garland, said the quarterback was out celebrating his 28th birthday with friends on the night in question and is innocent of any crime.

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