SEO Head: DOJ study on rape and sexual assault starts a conversation

Summary Blurb: December 2014 report by the DOJ unmasks an epidemic of rape and
sexual assault victimization among college-aged females.
Time Stamp: 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 15, 2015
Rape culture is a term describing the prevalence of rape and sexual assault in
todays culture; the term has sparked discussion and even government interest on the
topic (read about rape culture). In a December 2014 special report released by the DOJ
college-aged females are identified as the most likely victims of rape and sexual assault.
The DOJ study sparked an interest in the topic and prompted a similar study from
White House Council of Women and Girls. The two studies provide interesting
perspective on this concerning epidemic.

Alcohol: a factor?
Sexual assault is a particularly prevalent problem on college campuses
as 1 in 5 women have been sexually assaulted while in college (see more
stats). According to findings in the recent study, alcohol may fuel the
problem:
Incapacitated assault is common, where victims are sexually
abused while they are drunk, on drugs or passed out
Perpetrators often prey on incapacitated women and sometimes
provide their victims with drugs or alcohol (read more about date
rape drugs)
Parties are often the sites of crime, a 2007 study showed that 58%
of incapacitated rapes and 28% of forced rapes took place in a
party setting.

One in five
women have been
sexually assaulted
while in college.
Source:
Oldgoldandblack.com

Continuation of the problem

Reporting rates for sexual assault are low: on average only 12% of student victims
report the assault to law enforcement even though the effects are detrimental. Survivors
of rape or sexual assault suffer long after their attack and face:
High rates of PTSD
Depression and drug or alcohol abuse
Depression and anxiety
Higher college drop out rates (click to see more effects)
(more)

Gabriella Ellrich | W/R #25 TA #1| Comm231 0201 | A#6 : DOJ| p. 2

A broader issue
There are other factors besides gender and being a resident of a
college campus that make people more susceptible to rape and sexual
assault including:
Disability
Inclusion in the LGBT community
Homelessness
The 2014 DOJ study concluded that college aged females were
the prime targets of sexual attacks. However, the issue is broader than
college campuses, statistics show that there is almost no disparity in
sexual assault and rape between women of college-age enrolled or not in
school.
Women of college-age are at an incredibly high risk for sexual
crime. The problems extend far past the borders of a college campus,
continued conversation is necessary in addressing this problem.

College students
picket rap and sexual
assault following DOJ
report.
Source: alijaeeza.com

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