The college rape crisis has been in the news a lot over the past year and has gained national attention. From articles in popular magazines and mainstream newspapers, such as the Washington Post, to the White House, college sexual assault is at the forefront of our national discussion. President Obama and Vice President Obama are backing the Not Alone Project, that strives to break the silence about sexual violence on college campuses and reach out to provide support to victims after an attack. In 2014, the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault released their first report in April 2014, revealing a shocking statistic: one in five college students experience sexual assault during their college career. The ACLU, however, estimates that up to 95% of sexual attacks go unreported.
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual Assault, as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is “any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient.” Sexual activities that are included in this definition are: forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape. Other sources define the term more broadly, to include: unwanted kissing, groping, and exhibitionism. Sexual assault doesn’t always involve physical contact. In fact, acts such as voyeurism can still count as unwanted sexual attention.
One in five college women are targets of attempted or completed sexual assault while college students, while college freshman and sophomores are thought to be at the greatest risk. According to a 2000 report funded by the National Institute of Justice, the vast majority of campus sexual assaults are committed by an acquaintance of the victim. In 90% of reported cases, the victim knew her attacker.
As noted above, only about 5% of sexual assaults are reported to campus authorities or law enforcement. There are many barriers to reporting that victims face, including inadequate university sexual assault policies, which leads to the problem remaining hidden on campuses across the country.
Alcohol can play a big role in sexual assault. The American Association of University Women (AAUW) estimates that 89% of assaults occur when the victim is incapacitated due to alcohol, while researchers at Wayne State University estimate the number to hover around 50%. Whatever the exact figure, alcohol plays a prominent role in campus sexual assault.
Federal Law and Sexual Assault on Campus
The AAUW website informs that Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits the sexual harassment of college students. Sexual assault, a form of sexual harassment, “denies of limits on the basis of sex, a student’s ability to participate in or receive benefits, services or opportunities at the institution.” In April 2011, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidance on the responsibilities of colleges and universities under Title IX and requires them to:
- Define sex discrimination and sexual violence, and publish a policy stating that the school doesn’t discriminate on the basis of sex;
- Have and distribute procedures for students to file complaints when sexual harassment, discrimination or violence occurs;
- Appoint a Title IX coordinator to oversee these tasks, review complaints, and deal with patters or systemic problems.
Additionally, under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), colleges and universities must also notify students about crime on campuses, publicize their prevention and response policies, and inform victims of their rights.
Finally, in 2013, Congress authorized the Violence Against Women Act and included provisions to improve campus safety. Colleges will now have to report the number of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking incidents that occur each year, in addition to the requirement to disclose sexual assault incidents and other crimes. They will also have to update their annual security reports to include their prevention programs.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
While an attack is never the fault of the victim, there are steps college students can take to reduce their chances of becoming a victim and empowering themselves. For instance, the National Institute of Justice revealed that self-protection actions such as weaponless attacking, running, hiding, getting help, or struggling seem to decrease the risk of rape completion by 80%. Additionally, many colleges offer personal development courses in basic self defense. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study comparing the effects of attending a four session course in resisting sexual assault to a more traditional university approach of providing brochures on sexual assault. An intensive program showing female college students how to recognize and resist sexual aggression reduced their chances of being raped over a one year period by nearly half.
There are also basic safety guidelines that you can follow to help stay safe on campus. BestColleges.com put together the following to-do list:
- Know your alcohol limits. Drinking too much can make you much more vulnerable to assaults by impairing your judgment or hindering your physical ability to fight off an attacker.
- Watch your drinks. Take your drink with you wherever you go (including the bathroom). Never take a drink given to you by someone else or from a communal alcohol source.
- Trust your instincts. If you get a bad feeling about a person or situation, leave immediately. If something feels wrong, or you feel pursued, get in the middle of a crowd of people. It seems that many attackers are unwilling to pursue someone who is aggressive or loud, which draws attention to the crime.
- Stay with your friends. Attend parties and social gatherings with friends that you trust. Look out for each other and don’t leave anyone behind!