SEO: Department of Justice Reports College Rapes Thursday, May 9, 2013 11:00 a.m.

By: Richard Torres

A Department of Justice study reveals that 3 in 100 women on college campuses are victims of rape or sexual assault. The alarming college rape figures propose policy implications for college administrators.

Alarming Number of College Rape Victims Reported

A recent study by the Department of Justice reports that approximately 3 percent of women on college campuses are victims of rape or sexual assault during a college year. The Sexual Victimization of College Women a study by Professor Bonnie S. Fisher from the University of Cincinnati, estimates that a college that has 10,000 female students could experience more than 350 rapes a year. The high numbers of college rapes raise questions about policy implementation by college administrators. The study also found the following information: 1.7 percent of college women were victims of attempted rape 1.7 percent of college women reported being coerced to have sex 13 percent of college women have been stalked since the beginning of the school year Rapes hit close to home The study found that the majority of sexual victimization incidents occurred after 6 p.m. in living quarters. Nearly 60 percent of completed college rapes took place in the victims residence. Approximately 31 percent of these incidences occurred in other living quarters on campus and 10 percent occurred at a Chart illustrates the percentage of victimfraternity. Fisher also found that offender relationships in rape cases. Courtesy many women do not characterize of Department of Justice study their assaults as crimes for reasons such as embarrassment, ignorance, self-blame for their sexual assaults, and very often because they know their attackers and do not want to define them as rapists. (more)

Richard Torres, College Rapes, Page 2 Defining sexual victimization The Justice Departments study defines a completed rape as an unwanted completed penetration by force or the threat of force. However, sexual victimization is not limited to just a completed rape. Types of sexual victimization include attempted rape, sexual coercion, sexual contact with or without force, threat of rape and many more. The study measured twelve forms of sexual victimizations among college women including stalking and visual and verbal forms. Helping sexual victims The study reinforces the importance of many organizations efforts to improve education and knowledge about sexual assault. One of the nations largest charities for sexual assault victims is the RAINN organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline as well as provides programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and bring attackers to justice. Some victims, like Alexa Branchini, have decided to use their stories to help other victims. Branchini has her own foundation that seeks to help rape victims. See Alexas story here. ###