Campus Sexual Assault

Campus sexual assault is the sexual assault of a student while attending an institution of higher learning, such as a college or university. Estimates of sexual assault generally find that somewhere between 19–27% of college women and 6–8% of college men are sexually assaulted during their time in college.

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Research consistently shows that the majority of campus rape and sexual assault victims do not report their attacks to law enforcement. This would in return make the percent of campus sexual assaults rise even higher.

Consent

The act of saying “yes” or agreeing. Always remember, you do NOT have to have a reason to say “no.” You need to make the decisions that best fit you and you need to make decisions that will keep you safe. If someone tries to convince you to do something, even if you have done it with that person before, you still have the right to say no to them.

 

Another common way teens are sexually assaulted actually begins with an online relationship. Online sexual predators often pretend to be someone they are not and they unfortunately end up tricking teenagers into meeting them in person which increases the chance for sexual

assault, kidnapping and in some instances, sex trafficking.

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Around 25% of teen girls were verbally or physically pressured into having sex during the past year.

 

One in 10 high school girls, and one in 20 high school boys reported being forced into sex.

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Almost 20% of college women reported experiencing sexual assault on campus.

Warning Signs

of Sexual Assault

  • Signs of depression, such as persistent sadness, lack of energy, changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawing from normal activities, or feeling “down”

  • Self-harming behaviors, thoughts of suicide, or suicidal behaviors

  • Low self-esteem

  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

  • Anxiety or worry about situations that did not seem to cause anxiety in the past

  • Avoiding specific situations or places

  • Increase in drug or alcohol use

  • Unusual weight gain or weight loss

  • Unhealthy eating patterns

  • Signs of physical abuse

  • Changes in self-care, such as paying less attention to hygiene, appearance

  • Expressing thoughts about suicide or suicide behavior

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Campus Sexual Assault Statistics

  • According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women and one in sixteen men are sexually assaulted while attending college.
  • According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 90 percent of campus sexual assaults are committed by perpetrators that the victim knows.
  • The Department of Justice states that more than 50 percent of college sexual assaults occur either in August, September, October, or November.
  • 19–27% of college women and 6–8% of college men sexually assaulted during their time in college.