Rape on college campuses is an unfortunately real thing that “13% of all students experience” (Campus sexual violence: Statistics | rainn. n.d.) during undergraduate studies. Although sexual violence happens often, there are laws under Title IX that protect the victims of sexual assault and violence (Title ix and sexual violence in schools. n.d.). However, some instances of sexual misconduct on college campuses are not reported due to “fear of reprisal” (Campus sexual violence: Statistics | rainn. n.d.). Many factors apply to the overall reality rape on college campuses, let us evaluate the solutions to this fixing this social epidemic.
According to the American Psychological Association “Campus sexual assault makes up the greatest proportion (43%) of total on-campus crimes in the United States, resulting in approximately eight forcible sex offenses per 10,000 students” (Campus sexual assault: Fact sheet from an intersectional lens. n.d.). Sexual assault typically happens at events during the “Red Zone” which takes place from August to November ( n.d.). Research shows that 50% of sexual assault victims during these months are students who are new to campus and frequently attend social gatherings ( n.d.). Of this 50%, women tend to be victimized more than men and are at higher risk of danger where sexual assault is concerned ( n.d.).
A potential solution is to outlaw coed dormitories and inform new students of the risks of residential living. An article by a law professor from Georgia State University states that “What has not received much attention is the fact that most on-campus sexual assaults happen in college dorm rooms” (Curcio, A. A. 2017). The professor goes on the mention how most universities fail to inform new students of potential risks and they also ignore that a dorm-based intervention would reduce campus rape rates (2017). That being said, informing new students of the risks that exist in residential living would bring some awareness to the potential of sexual assault, which could be a solution to the epidemic. Additionally, making modifications to residential living, like outlawing coed dormitories could keep the students safe from potential abusers.
Title IX is a law that is enforced by the Department of Education on all education programs or activities that are financially funded by the federal government (Title ix and sex discrimination. 2021, August 20). Title IX states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance” (2021, August 20). Through Title IX, victims of sexual assault and sexual violence are protected. However, in some instances, universities have ignored or did not act on a reported sexual assault. Although students can file a report against their school, most of the victims just feel helpless and ignored. This results in other students who have been sexually assaulted not reporting their abuser because of the fear of being ignored and the “fear of reprisal” from their abuser (Campus sexual violence: Statistics | rainn. n.d.).
The main solution to this problem regarding rape on college campuses is to hold universities accountable for not adhering to Title IX. According to the Department of Education, if Title IX is not followed then the Office of Civil Rights must conduct “proactive investigations, through directed investigations or compliance reviews, to examine potential systemic violations based on sources of information other than complaints” (Title ix and sex discrimination. 2021, August 20). In the event that this has to occur, the Office of Civil Rights needs to make an example out of the university that did not adhere to the law because that will help prevent other universities from doing the same. In addition, this would also show victims of abuse that they are not ignored and that they are protected.
Jeanne Clery was a college freshman who was raped and murdered on her college campus in 1986. The tragedy of her death happened due to the lack of campus security (Jeanne clery act | georgia tech police department. n.d.). After her murder, the Clery Act was passed to help ensure campus safety (The clery act. n.d.). Having said that, another solution to rape and sexual assault on college campuses is increased campus security.
One way to achieve campus security is by having campus police that are employed by their university, not the city in which the university is located. One university that has already done this is the University of Oklahoma. OUPD’s main goal is “to make The University of Oklahoma campus a safe place for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors” (Oupd. n.d.). The campus police department has jurisdiction over the entire campus, so if a student is sexually assaulted they can report their abuse straight to OUPD instead of having to go to the city police department. This addition to the university also helps prevent sexual assault on the campus because of increased security.
Similar to a campus police department, a way to increase campus security is to have some form of emergency phone all over college campuses. Most college campuses have blue emergency light phones that automatically connect students with some form of emergency services (Blue emergency phones: What they’re for and how they help | Axon. n.d.). The blue emergency light was “designed to deter criminals and give students a direct line to emergency services” (Axon. n.d.). The emergency phone is easy to see in the dark because they are lit up blue. They are especially useful in events where students cannot talk to the emergency dispatcher on the phone as the light flashes blue when the phone is used. This is helpful for the reason that law enforcement can locate the student through the flashing light (Axon. n.d.). The blue emergency light phones paired with a campus police department would heavily help the epidemic of rape on college campuses because if a student that was abused used the emergency blue light phone then the campus police would be to their assistance within seconds rather than city police that may take ten minutes or more reporting to the crime.
Lastly, an extremely important way to prevent rape on college campuses is to teach about it at a young age. If people could learn about the social epidemic when they are children or adolescents, then they would be more likely to be aware and alert of potential danger. But even if people are educated on the matter in secondary school, universities should still provide some form of education about sexual assault. The CDC says that “identifying the scope of the problem on college campuses, helps prevent campus sexual assault” (Dills, J., Fowler, D., & Payne, G. 2016). So if the problem is acknowledged and understood by the students on campus, then the likelihood of assault happening is lower.
Rape on college campuses is a disgusting, devastating social epidemic that “13% of all students experience” (Campus sexual violence: Statistics | rainn. n.d.) while studying at a university. There are many solutions to this epidemic and laws in place to protect the victims, however, there is a need for acknowledgment and change in society so that rape on college campuses will come to an end.
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