College women are 3 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than women in the general population. One in four college women will be sexually assaulted while in college. In a national survey of adults, 37.4% of female rape victims were first raped between the ages 18-24. In a study of undergraduate women 19% experienced attempted or completed sexual assault since entering college (CDC, 2012). The myths and rape culture surrounding it makes the suffering and experiences of victims seem invalid and insignificant. Young women come to college for awesome experiences, to learn prosper and have fun not be taken advantage of. Humans need to feel secure and safe in new environments like university. Universities and colleges have a responsibility to provide safe environments for their students, discourage rape culture, educate all students about the role of men regarding sexual assault.

Preparedness and readiness of students and administration is key in dealing with SA; this includes internet resources, SA and prevention programs, and simple campus SA awareness activities New literature is being written everyday recommending colleges and universities address sexual assault on their websites. Five key areas of recommendations are (1) provision of information to students about sexual violence, (2) provision of information to students about services, (3) creation of clear procedures on reporting sexual assault, (4) designation of a dedicated office to respond to or coordinate the response to sexual assault on campus, and (5) development of specific policies prohibiting sexual assault on campus (Schwartz, Rachel). Prevention efforts 

The trivialization of sexual assault by universities can have serious impacts on whether victims choose to come forward about their assaults. Big institutions like college universities, which are also big businesses, would rather save face and reputation than truly acknowledging the prevalence of sexual assault on their campuses. The norm becomes lack of acknowledgement and the “downplay of numbers” (Rayborn, Corey). This downplaying of SA deprioritizes the safety and wellbeing of victims furthering their victimization and future victimization of others. Questions and uncertainty is raised about whether universities are accurately reporting the true amount of SA cases being brought to them. Underreporting is a significant problem and even after being fined for violation of federal law some schools continue the practice. Researcher Corey Rayburn Yung, JD, a law professor at the University of Kansas conducted a study to assess whether there is substantial amount of undercounting or underreporting by universities. He conducted an empirical analysis of Clery Act data submitted by schools before, during and after audits conducted by the US Department of education. The Clery Act requires 

“colleges and universities that receive federal funding to disseminate a public annual security report (ASR) to employees and students every October 1st. This ASR must include statistics of campus crime for the preceding 3 calendar years, plus details about efforts taken to improve campus safety” (Clery Act,1990). 

During the audits the reported numbers of sexual assaults increased by roughly 44 percent on average from previously reported levels. After the audits ended, the reported number of sexual assaults in following years dropped to pre-audit levels (APA). This study is evidence that some schools provided a more accurate representation of sexual assaults on campus only when they were under federal inspection. Not all of the 31 schools that were audited showed evidence of underreporting, however the fact that some schools have confirmations that there is negligence in dealing with sexual assault by university officials. 

The sexual assault problem on campuses is not a new issue and universities and colleges decide to address them on their own instead of contacting authorities. There is a disparity in the number of SA cases being reported and the number of cases being investigated. Senator Claire Mccaskill conducted a survey of 440 universities. In her address, she noted that 41% of schools interviewed had not conducted a single investigation in the last five years (About 40 percent). This survey shows that there is a lack of cooperation and collusion between local law enforcement and universities when SA is the issue. This disparity coincides with the idea that law enforcement and universities act indifferently when SA is reported. This indifference downplays the experience of victims and further perpetuates violence against them and future victims. Rather than face a blow to their reputation, campus officials and administrators don’t report rape accusations to real authorities, they attempt to handle it in their own ranks. Even after hearings are held male perpetrators are not charged or expelled from school (Raphael, Jody chapter 8). The tendency of universities to handle SA their own ranks rather than reporting it to police can decriminalize SA. 

Most schools are not providing environments where victims feel safe coming forward, and they are not following federal laws that govern SA prevention and response. More than 10% of schools surveyed by Mccaskill don’t have a Title IX coordinator, a position that would oversee compliance with the 1972 law that requires students receive equal educational opportunities regardless of gender (Clark, Meredith). Campus authority and administration have a responsibility to students and parents to exact all efforts in preventing sexual assault on their campuses. Among female sexual assault victims, only 12.5 percent of rapes and 4.3 percent of sexual battery incidents were reported to any official, defined as a university administrator, law enforcement or crisis centers. 1 in 10 say they do not report because what happened to them was not important 1 in 5 did not report out of fear of retaliation or reprisal Only 20% of female student victims, age 18-24, report to law enforcement (Bureau of Justice Statistics). Victims are not reporting sexual assault at the same rate at which they are occurring because of the culture of disbelief surrounding sexual assault and stigmas. Even though sexual assault can be as serious as any other crime and occurs more often than any other crime on campus it will not get the same priority as crimes like robbery or battery. Victims do not feel their experiences equate to that of other crimes. It is the duty of universities to make sure victims feel safe and supported when they come forward by taking any claim serious and reacting in the correct way; investigation and empathy. Many victims of rape and sexual violence experience serious psychological inhibitions and they either drop out or their grades are effected significantly (Bureau of Justice Statistics). 

Reports of sexual violence on campus and in the general population must be taken seriously. When reports of violent sexual assault are made by young women on college campuses proper investigation is imperative for the physical, mental, and emotional health of victims. Often rape victims and their claims are met with indifference; this indifference and lack of urgency sets the wrong precedent for future rape victims and perpetrators. The number of rape cases where the perp is charged have declined, however the number of rapes being reported are believed to have increased (Raphael, Jody). The trivialization of acquaintance rape and rape in general has pervaded the college campus. Young women are victimized twice in these situations due to the way they are handled by school officials who don’t take the correct course of action when dealing with them. According to Professor Angela Hattery of Women and Gender Studies at George Mason University “It’s always about the concern for the young man’s reputation”, not the mental and physical health of victims. By taking SA claims seriously universities create a supportive environment for victims.

The popular association of frat parties and drunken nights with sexual assault on campus can be dangerous in that it stereotypes sexual predators and victims. 43 percent of sexual victimization incidents involve alcohol consumption by victims and 69 percent involve alcohol consumption by men/perpetrator. 54 percent of sexual assault cases on campuses don’t involve alcohol consumption at all.  Although the stigma is backed up by many cases and alcohol is often a factor, is it not still sexual assault when you “remove the testosterone-fueled sports teams, the drunken parties, the fraternities” (Dvorak, Petula)? It is important to let the student population know that drinking and inebriation is risky behavior, but even with the removal of certain risk factors like incapacitation, sexual assault still exists on some campuses. This was the case at Patrick Henry College, a Christian institution, where the students as freshman affirm “a statement of faith saying the devil is real the Bible is without error, and ‘Jesus Christ will return to Earth in the second advent’” (Feldman, Kiera). Many young women felt safe being at an institution that held morals at such a high standard because being sexually assaulted there felt highly unlikely, however that was not the case for some of the young women. Although there was alcohol involved in one case, the victim was not binge drinking or inebriated at the time of her assault (Feldman, Kiera). It was unclear on whether the perps at this Christian college were drunk at the time of the assaults, but if they were, it brings about the question of why are factors like alcohol and other substances not discussed when men sexually assault women? 

On campus, sexual assault prevention efforts are disproportionately aimed at female students. Although male attitudes towards rape and other forms of sexual assault are formed throughout their adolescent lives universities have a responsibility in educating them about male roles or responsibilities in deterring sexual assault. It is understood that sexual assault can be perpetrated by men and women, however men outnumber women offenders 9 to 1 Rape myths are defined as behaviors that attempt to justify male sexual aggression and female responsibility in rape. According to a study by Alexandra Cassel of Colgate University men are more likely to accept rape myths than women on and off campus (Cassel, Alexandra). This information highlights the need for prevention methods that are centered on the male experience in SA situations. The results of Cassel’s study showed that high risk men or men who are likely to accept rape myths did not respond to prevention efforts, however low risk men were more inclined to intervene after the study. Although likely predators are less likely to change their attitudes regarding sexual assault, personalized methods for males can increase intervention efforts of male bystanders.

It is important that men are held accountable for their roles in sexual assault and rape, especially because most male perpetrators. Men are more likely to commit sexual violence in communities where sexual violence goes unpunished. Lack of disciplinary and legal action against male perps on campus creates an unsafe environment for victims and incoming college women. Women on campuses are being held responsible for preventing their own rapes. The cultural rhetoric is that, if a woman had not gotten drunk or worn a certain outfit, her attack would not have happened. Instead of holding the predator fully responsible, blame is placed on the victim. Drunken predators are often let off the hook with minor community service or short jail sentences behind the idea that one drunken mistake should not ruin a life; a life not of the victim but a life of a young male. A Massachusetts teenager was found guilty of sexually assaulting two classmates last year, but avoided a jail sentence. His consequences were a mere two years of probation and an order to stay away from the victim (Is the college experience synonymous with rape culture). 

There have been some arguments that sexual assault on college campuses is not a crisis or epidemic as statistics portray. According to David French “this lie [Sexual Assault] is teaching a generation of young women that they are victims — dependent on the state (and their university) for protection — and a generation of young men that they’re all potential predators” (French, David). French attempts to debunk many of the popular sexual assault statistics and while he does have solid claims they are doused in misogynistic rhetoric. Most stats Stick to the report that around 20% of female college students will experience some sort of sexual assault. That 20% is a large number of the 11.7 million women (National Center for Education Statistics) attending college. However, sexual assault is a broad term that can be defined in many ways, it can be as simple as an unwanted kiss or thigh rub to something as serious as forcible rape. So, no, not all 20% will be forcefully penetrated, which is a common misconception that runs across the minds of the masses when they hear sexual assault. French isn’t the only skeptic of campus sexual assault statistics, one article reported that “the 1-in-5 statistic is not a nationally representative estimate of the prevalence of sexual assault.’ A study conducted by the Department of Justice, released in late 2014, found that the actual rate of sexual assault of females on college campuses is 6.1 per 1,000 students — or about one-half of 1 percent (Izzler, Madison). Sexual assault is an awful crime, and even one instance is too many, regardless of the trend. 

There are so many facets to not just campus sexual assault, but sexual assault everywhere. The occurrence of any type of sexual violence is infuriating and unconscionable, and prevention is extremely important. Victims of sexual violence on university campuses are usually young impressionable women looking to make their way in today’s world. Providing supportive environments were rape culture is not allowed to prevail can make a positive difference, as many studies and experiments have already shown. Coming forward should not be so hard and happen so little in these cases, all victims should feel safe or validated enough in their experiences to come forward. Universities are not fully responsible for the young adults that attend their colleges, however they have a responsibility to their students and the parents of students to ensure that their environments are safe in all aspects. Exacting the correct prevention methods, supporting sexual assault victims and taking all claims serious is one way to do just that. These methods are not fool proof as no one method is and with new legislation being launched and increased awareness sexual assault, although still a problem, has declined. However, cultivating perpetrator accountability and victim supportive and safe environments is the only way to make sure sexual assault stays on the decline. 
