Over the last few years, the reports of sexual assault on college campuses have been steadily increasing.

Under the Jeanne Clery Act, colleges and universities across the country are required to disclose their campus crime statistics, including rape and sexual assault.

According to data released under the Clery Act, on several college campuses in Orange County, reports of sexual assault have just about doubled compared with 2016.

Notably, over the last few years, the #MeToo movement has gained national attention, including on college campuses, leading many victims of rape and sexual assault to speak up about their experiences and, in some cases, about their abusers.

But the rise in reporting isn’t only tied to the momentum from the #MeToo movement. Indeed, experts suggest that a good portion of this increase can be attributed to much more thorough reporting tactics from the colleges and universities themselves.

According to an article published in July 2017 by Kaitlin Boyle, a Virginia Tech sociology professor, in the Journal of School Violence, incidents of rape and sexual assault have been historically under-reported by colleges.

“There are a multitude of incentives for university officials to withhold high rates of rape, such as maintaining a safe image and not deterring applicants or alumni donations,” says Boyle.

However, in the last few years, experts say colleges and universities across the country are finally starting to comply more fully and thoroughly with the Jeanne Clery Act, so their reports of rape and assault are now a much more accurate representation of the incidents that have always been occurring from year to year.

Laura Egan, the senior director of programs at the Clery Center, agreed with Boyle’s assessment, noting that people are both more aware of the fact that they can report these incidents, and are becoming more trusting of the reporting systems involved.

On top of the more thorough reporting systems, there are other positive changes regarding sexual assault on campuses as well. There has been an increase in education focusing on sexual assault prevention. In 2013, President Barack Obama signed the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act, requiring colleges to provide prevention and awareness programs for their incoming students.

Plus, student awareness has been increasing as well. “There’s been an increase in student advocacy…with students asking for articles, reports, and more from the Clery Center,” Egan said.

Filing a Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Sexual assault, abuse, and harassment can happen anywhere, including on trusted college campuses, and it can be committed by anybody, including authority figures or friends. Sexual assault has been reported in schools, in organizations like the Boy Scouts of America and in churches, as well as across a wide variety of industries.

A growing number of victims are coming forward with reports of their own sexual assaults, including sexual assault on college campuses. Victims are filing lawsuits not only against their abusers, but also against any organizations that allowed the abuse to take place, or actively covered up the abuse.

If you or someone you love has been a victim of sexual abuse or assault, even if that abuse took place years or decades ago, you may be able to join this lawsuit investigation.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.