Victimization of Sexual Violence On College Campuses

“1 in 4 women will be raped during their lifetime and that number raises to 1 in 5 women on college campuses.” 

College Campuses have become hot spots for criminal activity. Most recently, a student fell victim to an armed robbery on UMD campus. According to WJLA news, there were reports of sexual assaults that occurred in three separate incidents on and off-campus in College Park in early September. As scary as it may sound, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 20-25% of college women in the United States experience attempted or completed rape during while in college. Sexual Assault is widely considered to be the most underreported violent crime in America. Another troubling fact, most sexual assaults on campus are committed by an acquaintance of the victim which may be a factor in why it is the most underreported crime.

As a female and a student in college, this is very scary to know.

Nonetheless, these unfortunate situations do arise and it is better to have a sense of awareness and knowledge of how and where to get help. So I took this opportunity to speak with my Victimology (CCJS360, for anyone interested) professor Cortney L. Fisher and asked her to provide some information about sexual violence on college campuses and if one falls victim, what options are there?

   

As quickly mentioned in the video, I think it is important to shed some light on The Clery Act, short for The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crimes Statistics Act. It is a federal statute that requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses. This act came into place and was named after Jeanne Clery, a 19-year-old Lehigh University student who was raped and murdered by another student in her campus residence hall in 1986.

Last but not least, Professor Fisher briefly touched on victim centered prevention and education programs. The University Health Center at the University of Maryland College Park campus provides help to victims through the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Program (SARPP). The SARPP office provides free and confidential resources, assistance and support to anyone of the UMD community impacted by any type of sexual violence. An advocate may be easily reached through their 24 our advocate crisis cell phone, email and office number. For more information, please click on the following link: SARPP.