Reported campus sexual assaults has more than doubled in past 15 years
A recent study done by the Association of American Universities found that 23 percent of more than 150,000 female university students surveyed in the U.S. said that they experienced nonconsensual sexual contact during their college experience. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center also reported that 1 in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college.
The Sept. 2 release of Brock Turner, a Stanford University student convicted of raping an unconscious woman, from prison after serving a reduced term of three months has renewed attention to the issue of sexual assault on college campuses.
“I would agree that universities and colleges have often not handled sexual assault cases very well, but at the same time I’d argue that the criminal justice system hasn’t either,” said Amy Lucas, assistant professor of sociology and women’s studies. “The recent Brock Turner case, for example, shows how even when a conviction occurs, the outcome still suggests that perpetrating sexual assault is not considered a serious crime nor is it sentenced as such. So I think the issue is more widespread than solely a problem on college campuses.”
The reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2013 and the broadening scope of Title IX interpretation to include sexual assault on college campuses were two efforts by the federal government to provide more help for victims of sexual assault on college campuses.
“Those acts required universities to spend a greater amount of time and be more serious about paying attention to and reporting the number of sexual assaults on campus,” said Interim Dean of Students David Rachita. “There was also a greater emphasis placed on the level of confidentiality needed to keep the victims safe.”
Christine Walther, assistant professor of psychology and women’s studies faculty member,explained that many student victims across the country have felt that their complaints were taken lightly by the university they were attending. She also acknowledged that some campuses are much more proactive about investigating and addressing sexual assaults than others.
“Many victims of sexual assaults on campuses, both men and women, report being questioned about their role in the assault, being dissuaded from filing charges because of the challenges of prosecuting sexual assault cases or being put through a burdensome process only to have an assailant receive a minor penalty,” Walther said. “These experiences are not necessarily unique to college campuses, but universities have a vested interest in keeping sexual assault statistics low.”
UHCL implements the University of Houston System Sexual Misconduct Policy, which defines and describes prohibited sexual conduct. The policy also provides the procedure for a fair and impartial investigation and resolution of complaints of sexual assault by the university.
“The fact that this school is a smaller university makes me feel safer than a larger university,” said Jaelyn Greeson, accounting major. “However, a small issue I do have here is that the school does not have emergency call stations in the parking lot and the cell phone reception is horrible. So that does make me feel a little less safe here.”
The Dean of Students Office, Health Center, Human Resources Office, Police Department and the Counseling Center are the most recommended places for students who have experienced sexual assault to get the help they need.
“Regardless of who you go to on campus, we are going to get you all of the resources that you need in order to make you feel safe,” Rachita said. “One of the first questions we’re going to ask is if the student is safe right now and see what they would like to be done to feel safe.”
All students in the University of Houston system can download the Circle of 6 U app for their iPhone or Android phone. The app allows students to send a group message very quickly to 6 people whom they trust as a safety precaution, request for help or even to seek a timely interruption.
