Moriah Alston W/R: 1 (TA: 1) COMM231 0201 Apr.

17 2013 A#6 Web 43221Formula

SEO: DOJ on College Sexual Victimization

Today the Department of Justice released a report of their study on sexual assault throughout college campuses. Results demonstrate that these campuses may not be as safe as previously imagined.

DOJ reveals prevalence of college sexual assaults

Sexual victimization of women is an unfortunate, but prevalent reality of society. Today the U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Justice released a report that demonstrates the nature of different types of sexual assault on college campuses. The report details a study titled the "The Sexual Victimization of College Women" conducted by Bonnie S. Fisher, professor at the University of Cincinnati. The study investigated completed rapes, attempted rapes and stalking in college settings. Fisher was also able to conclude why many reports of sexual assault go unreported. The results of the study were gathered from national telephone surveys to a random sample of 4,446 women enrolled in two- or four-year colleges.

Alarming Statistics
Findings from the study may foreshadow many changes in existing college policies and safety measures. Fisher estimates that at a college with around 10,000 female students, more than 350 rapes could occur per year. Other alarming statistics that were produced from the study include: 1.7 percent of college women are victims of attempted rape per year 1.7 percent of college women are coerced to have sex during one school year 13 percent of college women have been stalked since the school year's start

Assault Locations
Locations of sexual assault vary, but Fisher reveals that a large majority of rapes occur after 6:00 p.m. and in the victim's on-campus residence. Other on-campus residences or buildings make up another 31 percent of college rape locations. Additionally, 10 percent of rapes take place in fraternity houses. Off-campus assaults occur mostly in residential houses, but there is a considerable amount of reported incidents in bars and nightclubs as well.

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Moriah Alston, W/R: 1 (TA: 1), COMM231 0201, 4/17/13, A#6 - DOJ, p. 2

On-campus rape locations

Fraternity houses 9% Other oncampus residences 31%

Victim's Residence 60%

DOJ 2013

Unreported Cases
Responses from the telephone surveys reveal that many women do not characterize their assaults as a crime because of embarrassment, not understanding a legal definition of rape and blaming themselves for the incident. Also, because many victims know their attacker they do not want to give them the label of rapist. Because of this, many sexual victimization cases go unreported. Results from Fisher's study reinforce the prevalence of sexual victimization of women in college settings. They also demonstrate society's need for more sexual assault education and more organizations to advocate for the safety of women.

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