This article talks about how the University of Birmingham launched the "Not On" campaign which protects its' students and staff from being sexually harassed. All students and staff are encouraged to challenge sexual harassment and report "inappropriate behaviour" as part of the campaign. The article describes how the program works and encourage students to be more vocal about being against unfair harassment.
This article addressed the growing rate of on-campus sexual harassment, but was from the perspective of a parent. The article gives good advice for parents who are selecting a college, such as "get to know whether the college has a sexual violence prevention education program, find out how many individuals responsible for sexual assault have been expelled or suspended. Don't just look at statistics." It also includes more advice for girls who are enrolling in college and programs that help victims of sexual harassment.
As a school who cares about their students, UNCW is putting an effort into trying to stop the problem of sexual misconduct on our campus for the safety of students. According to the UNCW police report, there were 9 Forcible Sex Offenses reported on campus, 4 of which happened in residential facilities (Davidson).
"At least 1 in 5 college women has been the victim of an attempted or completed sexual assault" (Caldwell)
In the current freshman class, there are 2,159 students. 66% of these freshman are female, making around 1,424 college women. If 1 in 5 women in college have been the victim of a sexual assault, that would make about 284 freshman women finding themselves in a situation of sexual assault.
Recently, UNCW has noticed this problem and has continued to put forward an effort to prevent the problem on our campus. The university has started by:
Providing professional help at any time by CARE, the Abrons Health Center, and the on-campus counseling services
Requiring each faculty member who has been notified of a sexual assault instance to report to the Dean of Students
(Caldwell)
The CARE team at UNCW has also put together a packet for survivors. The Survivor Packet includes statistics on reported instances of sexual assaults, why the survivor should report their assault, a survivor's personal story, and some myths and facts of sexual assault. All of the information is to help the victim cope with the problem that they have experienced (Vance, CARE).
Caldwell, R. "CARE." For Faculty and Staff: : UNCW. UNCW. Web. 23 Feb. 2015. <http://uncw.edu/care/faculty.htm>.
In a previous blog, The Rise of Sexual Assault on Campus, many questions were raised to find research on an epidemic in our country. Sexual Assaults on Universities and Campuses are increasing at an alarming rate. The Questions answered were what Research is out there? Why are the Sexual Assaults reported less or not reported at all? How is the Safety at UNCW? and How was the Research beneficial in answering those questions. The Government is taking a stand so that survivors don't have to suffer in silence, can get support, and bring justice. The Research did not correlate the gender differences in the assaults and provided many statistics which can help us see where UNCW stands on being a safe school.
New Questions
In this research blog I would like to correlate how sexual assault affects men and women. What are the statistics? Are women more likely than men the victims of sexual assault? Are the rates among women higher than men? With the research of others, It has been stated in the recent blog" Rise of Sexual Assault on Campus" that most sexual assaults are unreported. Many college students have been asked to account their experience allowing them to be anonymous. This has helped research find out what really happens at school campuses.
In a study of crime victimization and fear, " Sexual violence among college students is a significant public health concern...however, few have examined how female experiences of victimization differ from those of male victims." Hines, et al. (2012)
Statistics
Women and girls are the majority of victims with 1 in 5(almost 22 million) having been raped in lifetime. NISVS (2010)
6% of male college students are assaulted each year on campuses. Proquest Journal. (2014)
Men and Boys are also at risk: 1 in 71 men (1.6 million) have been raped. NISVS (2010)
Among college women, 9 in 10 victims of rape and sexual assault knew offender. NIJ (2000)
It is estimated that percentage of completed or attempted rape victimization among women in higher educational institutions may be between 20% and 25% over the course of a college career. NIJ (2000)
less than 5% of completed or attempted rapes against college women were reported to law enforcement. However, in 2/3rds of the incidents the victim did tell another person, usually a friend, not family or school officials. NIJ (2000)
Crime Disclosure
As a country we need to increase the awareness of Sexual Assaults. "Reporting rates for campus sexual assaults are also very low: on average 12% of student victims report the assault to law enforcement." Kilpatrick, et. al (2007) Universities and Campuses usually deter assault victims from reporting due to a possibility of it being public record. This can haunt the victim later because of more inevitable questioning and going to the hospital to get examined. Shame is felt but shouldn't be the victims fault. The Federal Act below is controlled by the Department of Education and requires all colleges to report crimes.
Originally known as the Campus Security Act, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f)) is the landmark federal law that requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. The law is tied to an institution's participation in federal student financial aid programs and it applies to most institutions of higher education both public and private.
So where do we go from here?
There is so much more to learn about the topic of Sexual Assaults. It is very prevalent on campuses probably due to the party scenes. To be safe we have to watch what area we walk in, who we trust and hang out with, and find resources and services for survivors. Many of the statistics involve higher assaults affecting women but is leaning toward a neutral based study. Yes the numbers show a much higher victimization rate on women, but men are reporting assaults as well.
UNCW doesn't have a gender based statistics available because most of the assaults are anonymous. With that being said, UNCW is reforming how survivors can access programs with confidentiality along with feeling safe about reporting the crime. The Government has help schools like UNCW with grants and funding to help with Counseling programs. Again, many survivors have future effects including physical or mental problems. To live a healthy life after a traumatic event is rare. Flashbacks can occur and most survivors live in pain. With research and many victims standing up, those that are silenced can escape the fear and know their are others to talk to. UNCW is taking precautions and will be a future school of choice because of the safety here.
HELP
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted seek Help. Call 911, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE(4673)/ Free. Confidential. 24/7.
References
Black, M.C., Basile, K.C., Brieding, M.J., Smith, S.G., Walters, M.L., Merrick, M.T., Chen, J., and Stevens, M.R. (2011) The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) : 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fisher, B.S., Cullen, F.T., & Turner, M.G. (2000) The Sexual Victimization of College Women. National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Hines, Denise A; Armstrong, Jessica L; Reed, Kathleen. (2012)Gender differences in sexual assault: among college students.Violence and Victims. 27.6 p.922-40
Kilpatrick, D.G., Resnick, H.S., Ruggiero, K.J., Conoscenti, L.M., and McCauley, J. (2007) Drug facilitated, incapacitated, and forcible rape: A national study (NCJ219181). Charleston, SC: Medical University of South Carolina, National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center.
Many students have experienced some type of sexual harassment during their time in college.
From the information received about reported incidents, it has been gathered that:
"6% of male college students are assaulted each year on college campuses"
"One in five women will be sexually assaulted in her time as a college student"
There are many institutions who are trying to help decrease the problem of sexual assault on campus. Many students are afraid to report the incident in fear of another attack or embarrassment. The officials on many campuses are using several methods to help the students who have been in this situation.
Some of these methods include:
providing counseling services with professionals
enforcing consequences on the people committing the assaults
setting guidelines for victims and friends of victims
hosting training programs for all faculty members
Saint Peters University of New Jersey is hosting an event for the purpose of informing more people in higher university positions of how frequent this problem is happening on campuses nationwide. "Presidents of all New Jersey universities have been invited." They will introduce an act that provides severe consequences for anybody who does not participate. They will also inform the presidents and other guests with information about sexual assaults on campus in an attempt to decrease the problem.
"New Policy Addresses Sexual Assualt and Prevention Methods." University WireSep 15 2014. ProQuest. Web. 19 Feb. 2015 .
Racial Harassment Still Widespread on American College Campuses
The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
No. 48 (Summer, 2005), p. 31
This source talks about how racial harassment is still prevalent on campus, specifically harassment towards black students. It stated that among the black students who had been harassed, 86% said that the harassment involved derogatory remarks made by someone on campus. The studies also discussed how white students said to believe that racism wasn't a "big deal" on their campuses and how they thought the schools were "accepting" of all races. Even though this study was conducted in 2005, it shows how on-campus harassment toward other races hasn't faded away. And with the rise younger students/people feeling the need to freely discuss about racism and how it's still in the world, this study proves to be very relevant.
This source is useful because racial harassment on-campus, even if it's verbal harassment, gives the appearance that students of different races are not welcome to the school and that things could be very dangerous if attitudes like this escalate.
The topic for the second project is to research why sexual assault on our campus is a concern. Why is sexual assault so prevalent? Are the assaults reported? How is the safety at UNCW? How has our nation and other universities addressed this problem? How can UNCW stay a safe and reputable school?
This blog is to address college students, parents and staff that there is information available to address sexual assault on campuses. The credibility of the research available has been tested by many researchers so that it is believable. Their viewpoint and true accounts helps researchers provide statistics and documentaries to challenge the reform on campuses. Sexual assaults is rapidly increasing and anyone can be a victim. Our culture allows this behavior to exist and we need to be the ones to STOP it.
What Research is out there?
Colleges across the nation have had many instances of victimization. Why is this an increasing problem? Most universities are aware of the problems but are unsure how to address the issues. The Federal Government has implemented a report issued by the Obama Administration addressing these problems. University safety is a top priority and has created a wave of sources that will help guide schools in protecting students.
" The film, called The Hunting Ground tells the stories of women who experienced sexual assault, became activists and gave voice to a national movement. She goes on to say that the Federal Government has prompted investigations at many schools including the cases at UNC-Chapel Hill."
How can schools reform their policies? Students need to feel assured their voice is being heard. Programs that offer education on assaults, schools mandating classes to increase awareness, and police taking every effort to report any information.
President Obama signed the Violence against Women Act (VAWA) in 2012 in response to the violence in this nation. In a recent blog, Sexual Assault Statistics President Obama addresses the nation to end the violence.
There are many impacts that sexual assault has on the victims including (www.rainn.org):
Physical- Headaches, Difficulty in sleeping, Sore body
Emotional- Guilt, PTSD which leads to suicide, Depression
Psychological- Increase in substance abuse, Pregnancy
Life threatening- Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Beaten badly
.
Why are sexual assaults unreported or limited?
Could the reasons listed below be the result of fear?
The victim knows the assailant .
The victim will feel shame by exposing the crime.
The police and school officials undermine the situation.
Victim fears that exposure will lead to future victimization.
In recent years, sexual assaults have risen due to changes in the requirements of the reports. There are many campuses that have "blind reports" on their police logs. Essentially, "blind reports" are noting that assaults happen but do not include details. The when, where, and the who. This affects the statistics and places a biased image on what really happens on campuses. When these assaults happen and the victim tries to put their life back together, its hard to live a normal life.
Gregory allows the reader to see why there is little protection for women of sexual assaults but also how police practices plays a part in many reforms. She quotes Faizey's Let down by the Law, "when women were asked why they did not report, they said they feared an unsympathetic response from the police and had little faith in the judicial system." (Faizey, 1994)
What is the probability that assaults will decline because of the awareness? Is this trend going to ignite a nationwide reform? In order to feel safe at school, the school must provide services to protect students but also encourage an open door policy. The Schools are reforming guidelines as we speak and reports show an increase in assaults. What are the guidelines in the policy? The policy mandated by the government in Section Title IX requires there is no violation in sexual conduct. The increase is because of requirements set in place and students gaining awareness on when and how to report the crime. This is beneficial to the campuses and it makes me feel safe to know that schools care about the student's safety.
How is the Safety at UNCW?
At UNCW, there is a program called CARE (Collaboration for Assault Response and Education). This program is to educate students about assaults, any abuse, harassment, and stalking. The UNCW Police and the Counseling Center are also confidential avenues to report incidents. UNCW also has an affiliation to off-campus programs such as the Rape Crisis Center and Domestic Violence Shelter. The University Police has an Annual Security Report that documents any police report on school. There is only one problem with this and it is anonymous. The victim hasn't actually stepped forward and reported the assault. Since the report is public knowledge, students can access the data and see where we rank as a school.
In a story told by Ann McAdams of Wect 6 she interviewed UNCW Chief of Police David Donaldson.
Donaldson stated " The number of forcible sexual assaults tripled from 3 in 2012 to 9 in 2013 but the assaults are attributed to the increase to new reporting requirements and not an upswing in assaults."
The program and reports implemented by UNCW shows me there is a big concern on addressing this nationwide problem. However, the assaults do not show they are gender based. In the Safety First blog, I would like to correlate the sexual assaults with the probability of male and female assaults. I can only assume that females are more likely to be assaulted. UNCW is taking every effort to provide security reports and safety precautions on school grounds.
How is this research beneficial?
The research gained allowed me to see that sexual assaults on campuses is a prevalent problem. It is increasing at high rate. The government has stepped in to address campuses to offer programs to educate and eradicate the assaults. I would like to see what statistics are out there on this issue and how men and women vary in being assaulted. Most assaults happen with the victim and offender knowing each other. Since this is usually the case, this increases an unreported crime. UNCW is taking every effort to implement these policy changes. Also since I am a student at UNCW, I know that the police are encouraging reporting of the crime. Even though it seems the numbers have gone up, it is only affected because more are stepping forward and voicing the assault. This school can stay safe by the police effectively making reports and the students coming forward to address the incident at hand. We cant protect the violator anymore...We must take a stand!
References
Faizey, M. (1994). Gaurdian, Let down by the Law.pp. 6.
Gregory, Jeanne; Lees, Sue. (1999) Policing Sexual Assault. Routledge.
