The United States is facing a growing problem that shows no signs of slowing: sexual assaults on college campuses. Possible reasons for this epidemic are explained by Janet Napolitano, the current president of the University of California. She describes that “young adults live independently and in close proximity to one another for the first time” while attending college (Napolitano 387). The college setting provides students with opportunities to take advantage of one another. As a result, sexual assaults have become an issue across universities in the United States. Sexual assaults are a problem because they can have lasting effects on victims. It is the job of both the government and colleges to find solutions to the problem, by preventing …show more content…
Because these crimes have great impacts on lives, it is necessary that problem be eliminated. There are two aspects to solving the issue at hand, increased government intervention and increased efforts by universities to prevent sexual assaults. The former has already begun to happen. Janet Napolitano, president of the University of California, explains that “institutions of higher education have seen an explosion in new requirements imposed by the Department of Education, Congress, and state legislatures” (Napolitano 392). These requirements force colleges to take certain steps in protecting students from potential danger. Though these regulations help prevent sexual assault, they focus mainly on how a reported case is handled. Because of this, current government regulations are not enough to solve the issue at hand. Gray mentions how the White House wants to mandate annual surveys that provide unbiased information about sexual assaults (Gray 27). These surveys will allow the government to accurately determine the number of cases each year, because students complete them anonymously. Even if government regulations help improve the issue, universities still must find ways to prevent sexual assault on
Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town is a in-depth look at the issue of sexual assault on college campuses as told through the stories of students at the University of Montana in Missoula. Through the narratives, author Jon Krakauer ties in statistics and information creating an effective work that stands as emotionally compelling while remaining grounded and applying these stories to the greater problem of sexual assault. It tackles one of the biggest problems surrounding sexual assault in general, the treatment of the accused compared with the treatment of the accuser. Though Missoula focuses on the victims, it does provide much of the necessary background and possible motivations for the assaulters. These insights contribute
Building upon earlier work, they used approximately 4,500 female college students to report their sexual victimization. The analysis revealed few incidents, including rapes, are reported to police and/or campus authorities, a high portion disclosing to close friends. Gillibrand, K., Rubenfeld, J., Sulkowicz, E., Hargitay, M., Sullivan, T., Biden, J., & ... Sommers, C. H. (2014). The Debate: How should college campuses handle sexual assault?.
In 1997 the total number of sexual assault cases recorded in Australia was 14,138, 60 percent of victims were aged under 20 and 79% of victims were female. Statistics by ABS show in the year of 2021 there were 11,550 reports of sexual assault, 71% of victims being under the age of 18. 83% of the victims were female, an increase of 4 percent since 1997. Many sexual assault cases go unreported in fear that the justice system will fail the victims, statistics such as recent as 2019 show that 14,994 incidents were reported to NSW Police but only 1,207 finalised charges. This shows that the conviction of sexual assault is also a problem towards the victims. Although with the many law reforms in place, sexual assault is still a continuing issue in todays society with 1 in 4 women having experienced sexual assault in their lifetime.
The end result of their fight for justice for their daughter, and to prevent future criminal acts from being hidden or unreported, is The Clery Act. This federal mandate requires data collection and dissemination of campus crime statistics by colleges and universities, as well as outlines the ways in which college and university staff and faculty should be trained and educated both on how to report, in compliance with The Cleary Act, as well as how such training and education should be presented (Talesh, 2007, p. iv). The Clery Act has also been a springboard for
Therefore, candidates have to take this issue seriously when campaigning in hoping of winning an election. Despite feminism rightfully on the rise, this event at Columbia University has stemmed a fiery crusade against sexual violence and domestic violence on college campuses around the world, especially in the United
In Zoë Heller’s Rape on the Campus, She advocates how sexual assault happens often on campuses, and that it needs to be significantly more addressed; as it is scarce for women to bring the college’s attention to the assault. Heller asserts that, “20 percent of women are sexually assaulted during their time at college and as few as 5 percent of these assaults are ever reported to police” (185). Noting that ninety-five percent of sexual assault cases are dealt by the college, colleges can take advantage and handle its reputation by outputting false information to cover any potential negative reputation. While colleges are forced to obey the rules of title IX, I believe this is an inadequate effort to remove bias teachers and workers from colleges.
Sexual assault and abuse comes in many different forms, and does not have to include physical contact to fall into this category. Every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted (cite). In addition, more than half of the perpetrators are known by the victim James & Gilliland, 2017). These are staggering statistic to say the least. There also appears to be an uptick in sexual violence against Transgender Students(cite)
Some awareness is given to the students with an objective to eliminate the incidents of sexual assaults from the college campuses. Wilhelm states, at present some awareness activities are going on in the colleges. Students are
(___) So not only does one have to watch who they don’t know, but they have to consider how well they know their friends too. Women between ages 16 and 24 are four times more likely to be raped as compared with the rate for all women, which is the age of most college students. (__) This issue is so low on the totem pole that victims of date rape don’t even report their cases anymore. If they do, however, decide to get help many cases of sexual violence are ignored or buried when brought to the attention of college officials. (__) With colleges ignoring it, it only makes it that much easier for the perpetrator to get away and adds another victim to the
According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, another person endures sexual assault every 98 seconds. This information may have been shocking ten years ago, but for many, this news is a basic fact of life. Sexual assault cases have continued to become more and more common as time goes on. What is causing this surge in unwanted physical contact? The cause of sexual assault is one hundred percent of the time, the assaulter’s fault.
Sexual Assault Prevention A problem that I believe is extremely occurrent in our community, and many others, and that needs to be discussed is sexual assault on college campuses. Sexual assault is any sexual contact done by force or without consent, whether that is a touch, a kiss, or a sexual activity. This is an extremely prevalent problem in our society. The topic of sexual assault has been brought up a lot lately, especially after the case of Brock Turner, a university student, who attended a fraternity party and assaulted an unconscious woman.
The first thing colleges can do is develop and give every student an official, written policy statement about sexual misconduct. Every student should be handed the official document, and then it should be explained in detail. Next, the college should establish a network of services like emergency rooms or policeman on campus at all times. This should be done because if the crime can’t be stopped, at least there should be someone to help the victim right away. The police should be there to prevent the crime or to punish the assailant after.
Sexual Assault and rape are serious social issues and crime in the United States that athletes get away with because they are highly profiled and they can deny it which makes it seem the victim is lying, they can afford better lawyers because they are rich and powerful and women seem to trust them because they feel nothing will happen to them off their high profile. Women are the main victims of sexual assault and rape, while during most situations men are the perpetrators. Where there also have been rare incidents where children have been involved with child rape and sexault assault rather the victims are men,women or children they tend to stay quiet because they feel they won 't be believed. There has been a long list of sexual assault with
“Every two minutes another American is sexually assaulted” (Scope of the Problem). Schools needs to do more to inform and protect their students against sexual assault. Most people are the victims of sexual assault because they don’t know how to prevent it. If people are required to learn more about how to prevent sexual assault like say in a school then the number of sexual assaults per year should greatly decrease.
Sexual assaults refer to all incidents of unwanted sexual activity, including sexual attack and sexual touching. It has been found that there are numerous Inquiries into institutional child abuse as a results of unwanted sexual behavior and lack of confidence. In schools, sexual involvement of staff person with any student, regardless of age , is likely to be prohibited by school policy, teacher registration rules and sometimes also by law. South African research have been conducted that shows school violence is escalating despite the measures put in place to address the problem by the Department of Education and schools themselves (Fishbaugh, Berkeley and Schroth, 2003, Human rights commission, 2006). In their study it was pointed out that “both teachers and students appear justified in fearing for their own safety with consequences that the learning process is