By Stefanie Testa
According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), every 2 minutes someone is sexually assault in the United States. Sexual assault is, by definition, any sexual act that is not desired by the other person. There is usually a threat or forcefulness by the offender and can include kissing, touching, and rape of all nature. Every year, it is estimated that there is close to 240,000 cases of sexual assault. Given that number, it is quite surprising to learn that more than 60% of sexual assaults are not even reported. Although the survey by the U.S Department of Justice states that the rates of sexual assualt has fallen by more than 50% since 1993, it is still a very prevalent violent crime. Of the crimes commited, the survey also suggest that 80% happen to victims under the age of 30. [1]
That poses the question, how many college students are sexually assaulted each year, and what are the procedures and measures that colleges and universities take when such horrific events do occurr?
Statistics show that one in five college women reported being raped sometime in their lives.[2] That is 20 percent. As stated above, we know that that percentage is even higher when you incorporate the incidents that go unreported. So if that is true, 20% of the women at our university, UNCC, will be or have already experienced sexual assault. Given that we have 26, 571 students currently enrolled, and 50% are women, that means roughly 2,657 of us are victims. [3]
So how does UNCC deal with these events should they happen?
University policy states that these offenses are taken very serious and that is not tolerated by any means (hopefully not).
When I look up “sexual assault policies” on the college website, I am brought to a page for prevention. Here, you can find awareness tips and a guide to reduce the risk of becoming a rape victim. They also tell you where and to whom you can report an assault. All great resources to be aquainted with. [4]
I have a little issue with the “reduce the risk of becoming a rape victim” page, only because no one asks to be raped. The awareness tips tell you to mindful of the kind of situations in which you involve yourself, which is good advice, but sexual assault can happen anywhere, by anyone, and to anyone, and I do not believe you can “reduce your risk”. That is like saying don’t wear particular clothing because it might get you raped.
Furthermore, I’ve only been aware of two reported cases of sexual assault on campus since I’ve been a student. Because I am a sophomore, that is approximately one a year which is a relatively small number compared to the statistics stated earlier. In such events, university police send a campus-wide e-mail that depicts the details of the crime in efforts to keep us informed, and in hope that someone will have information pertaining to such an occasion.
What happens to the offender? Some cases go to the criminal court system, and some land on the desk of the Dean of Students. In cases where the victim doesn’t report directly to the police, you can go online and fill out a confidential Blind Report in which someone will investigate accordingly.
Overall, I was very surprised to find out that we have a thorough process layed out for preventing and dealing with sexual assault cases here at UNCC. Its rumored that other schools might not treat these events with such sensitivity and importance.
In addition, sexual assault is not a new crime against humanity. We learned this has been ongoing (in this country atleast) since the conquest of the America where settlers used sexual imperialism to exort their power and control over the Natives.[5] We saw even more sexual assault in the Victorian Era where girls were being sold to “owners” and forced into the sex trade from an early age. These brothels and houses of sex for most of the girls during this time was the only world they knew.[6]
To conclude, sexual assault has always been a serious issue. It is not tolerable in any way, shape, or form and I was glad to find that there are many resources on campus that can help a person deal with these unsettling occurrences.
1 U.S. Department of Justice. National Crime Victimization Survey. 2008-2012.
2 Douglas, K. A. et al. "Results From the 1995 National College Health Risk Behavior Survey." Journal of American College Health 46 (1997): 55-66
3 Office of Public Relations at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, "Campus Information and Quick Facts." Last modified 2014. Accessed February 28, 2014. http://publicrelations.uncc.edu/information-media-kit.
4 Police and Public Safety at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, "Sexual Assault Prevention." Last modified 2014. Accessed February 28, 2014. http://police.uncc.edu/crime-prevention-safety/sexual-assault-prevention.
5 Moore, Crystal. “Native Americans Sexuality and Sexual Violation in the Conquest of the Americas”. Lecture. History of Sexuality. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC, January 14, 2014.
6 Moore, Crystal. “Sexual Commerce in Victorian America”. Lecture. History of Sexuality. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC, Feburary 24, 2014.
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