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SEO: DOJ survey reveals high rape risk for college women

Nov. 17, 2013 Amanda Chesser A new study released by the U.S. Department of Justice reveals that 3 percent of college women experience rape in a school year, putting college women at a greater risk for rape than any other comparable population.

Sexual victimization prevalent on college campuses, survey says


College women are vulnerable to the dangers of sexual assault, according a new study released by the U.S. Department of Justice, entitled, The Sexual Victimization of College Women. The study examined occurrences of sexual assault at American college, and found a significant prevalence of rape among college women. Going undetected Bonnie S. Fisher, survey conductor and professor at the University of Cincinnati, found that most of the assaulted women knew the person who victimized them. Her findings report that many women do not classify their victimization as a crime because they: Are embarrassed Do not clearly understand the legal definition of rape Do not want to define someone they know as a rapist Blame themselves for their sexual assault The surveys results highlight the need to further sexual assault awareness and education efforts. More information about sexual assault is on the Department of Justice's website. Findings The following survey results are based on a telephone survey of a randomly selected national sample of women attending a 2- or 4-year university or college.

Of 4446 college women surveyed: 3% report an experience of a completed and/or attempted rape 1.7%, were victims of attempted rape 1.7% report being coerced to have sex 13% have been stalked since the beginning of the school year The study reported that most cases of sexual victimization occurred after 6 p.m. and in residences. Women also reported rape at bars, dance clubs, nightclubs and work settings.

Rape Location

Of completed rapes, 60% occurred in the victims residence. Graph by Amanda Chesser

Sexual assault at-large When applied nationally, the surveys results, which indicate a 3.5 percent rape rate, suggest that sexual victimization is a problem worth public policy attention. Results reinforce the importance to further sexual assault education efforts.

More information about sexual assault can be found in the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Networks video. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available 24/7 at the National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673, or on its website: http://www.rainn.org Twitter: @RAINN01

To learn more about violence prevention and support on your campus, visit your schools website, or reference the list of schools below: University of Maryland http://www.health.umd.edu/care. Campus Sexual Violence Resource List http://www.nsvrc.org/saam/campus-resource-list

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