Rape On College Campus 1

Rape on College Campus:

The Truth About How Universities Handle Sexual Assault Allegations

Bella Voglino

James Madison University

Recent trends in society and mainstream media have left millions of rape and sexual

assault survivors saying, “me too”. This is due mainly to the “Me Too” movement started by

Hollywood elites as they stand up to their co-stars, producers, and directors that have engaged in
Rape On College Campus 2

sexual misconduct. Coming forward with sexaul assault allegations against individuals of great

stature is a brave act nonetheless, but may not have the appropriate repercussions, depending on

the stature of the accuser. This is what rape survivors at college campuses across the country

have come to find. Despite numerous amounts of evidence, college rape cases often go

unreported and uninvestigated. This begs the question: Do universities handle rape and sexual

assault allegations on their campuses fairly? Unfortunately, in accordance with research, polls,

and countless confessions of survivors, the answer is no. When a rape allegation goes

unreported, it creates a false perception of the university it presides at. Some of the most

prestigious universities in the country are guilty of this including Stanford University and

Harvard Law. Reasons for ignoring these allegations vary, but most are rooted in the upkeep of

reputations and the protection of “valuable” students. Incoming college freshman are often

taught that universities have programs and people available to help in times of crisis such as

these, and that there is “zero tolerance” for sexual misconduct. However, this is not the case in

regards to star athletes, fraternity presidents, and the maintenance of ratings and reputations.

Keeping rape allegations “under the table” makes for a wholesome university image that is

attractive to students, and to their parents who pay upwards of $40,000 a year tuition. Students

and incoming freshman deserve to know the truth about what happens on college grounds, and

above all, survivors deserve justice.

The time to investigate these allegations is now. Society has spoken and is no longer

willing to protect the sexual perpetrators that continue to rome free and endure success. The “Me

Too” movement of 2018 has started a revolution, revealing the truth about entertainments finest,

and inspiring millions to come forward with their survivor stories. The list of stars Hollywood

has exiled includes big names such as: Matt Lauer, Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Louis
Rape On College Campus 3

C.K.. If Hollywood is willing to risk ratings and reputations in order to assert justice to victims

of sexual misconduct, universities should do the same. No one wants to go to a school with a

“rape problem”, but it seems that almost every university in the country has exactly that. The

institution's decision to not report, investigate, and punish sexual perpetrators has a number of

effects. By allowing these predators to walk freely on campus and free of any consequences, the

student body is put at a greater risk. Most sexual predators are repeat offenders. Every time they

commit an act of sexual violence and receive no punishment, it is almost an incentive to sexually

assault again. For victims, it is very likely they will cross paths with their perpetrator, as sexual

violence often occurs with people of familiarity. This causes unnecessary stress, pain, and fear to

the survivors who desperately wish to forget the abuse they endured. On a larger scale, the

disregard of sexual assault creates a misdemeanor that men are more powerful than women.

Ultimately, this will set society back decades in terms of progression in gender equality. With a

president who brags about sexual assault of women, the last thing this country needs is an

education system that promotes the same message. 2018 has announced that time is up for sexual

predators. Countless amounts of men and women have spoken out and the truth about sexual

assault is more prevalent than ever. Student body communities are no longer blind to the rape

epidemic on college campuses. The time for change is now.

To say that rape has become an epidemic on college campus first requires extensive

research. The Hunting Ground, a 2015 documentary by CNN films directed by Kirby Dick and

produced by Amy Ziering, follows women and men who have been sexually assaulted on college

campuses, and denied the help and support seeked from their institutions. The purpose of this

documentary is to expose the truth of sexual assault on college campus. It is intended for all
Rape On College Campus 4

audiences but mainly targets the attention of students, parents, and universities. The film focuses

on two UNC Chapel Hill students as they fight against their institution for the disregard of their

rapes on campus. Their main source of defense lies with in the title IX clause which states:

Under Title IX, schools are legally required to respond and remedy hostile educational

environments and failure to do so is a violation that means a school could risk losing its federal

funding. As the film progresses, the viewer discovers the success of the UNC students, and is

able to hear rape allegations from every possible perspective.

In regards to research on sexual assault on college grounds, this documentary has proven

to be very helpful and informative. The decision to chose this film for research is due to a few

reasons. For one, it is a different medium than the usual newsletter. Being able to see and hear

survivors provided more depth to the argument and more emotional appeal. From studying this

film, Title IX laws are more clear and concise. The purpose of using these laws against

institutions is to cut federal funding and force them into caring and protecting their students. As a

researcher, this film is particularly valuable because it provides first hand accounts with campus

sexual assault from every perspective including: students, parents, faculty, and convicted sexual

predators. It also provides an array of facts from varying years and varying outlets. This ensures

that the information stated is accurate and unbiased. The documentary also offers numerous

reasons for the growth of this epidemic, putting blame on universities for trying to maintain a

certain image, and protect certain students (Dick). Although The Hunting Ground has thus

proven to be reliable, one must question its validity in regards to its production company: The

Weinstein Company. Harvey Weinstein has recently been the target of sexual assault allegations

which calls into question the accuracy of this documentary.

Rape On College Campus 5

The second source used to research this topic comes from RAINN.org. This article is an

overview of statistics regarding college rape within the past few years. The purpose of statistics

as an article is to inform the public on the truth about campus rape. Just as the first source, this

article is intended for all audiences, but pertains heavily to members of a student body. RAINN’s

article is centered around sexual assault on college campus, but also answers a variety of

questions through their research. These questions include: are college women more likely to be

sexually assaulted, is sexual violence more prevalent at college compared to other crimes, and

why college victims of sexual assault do not report to law enforcement. Through the study of this

source, the reader is made aware that college women from the ages of 18-24 are three times more

likely to be sexually assaulted compared to all other women. College women reportedly are also

twice as likely to be sexually assaulted than robbed (RAINN). As a researcher, this article is

important to analyze because it provides statistics of sexual assault not just in numbers, but also

gives insight as to why sexual assault is so prevalent and why it is so underreported.

The two sources analyzed both compare and contrast one another. They both center

around the same idea of sexual assault, and inform their audiences that it is a growing epidemic

on college grounds. The Hunting Ground, being a full length documentary is able to provide

more detail on the matter and is discussed from an array of view points. It discussed the

perspective of the victim, their parents, law enforcement, the universities, and even a sexual

perpetrator. RAINN’s statistic chart however, only provides the reader with one perspective: the

female victim’s. The information in RAINN’s article matches that of the information in the

documentary, but is completely biased and one sided. This appears to make this article a weaker

source and less reliable.

Rape On College Campus 6

Through extensive research, I have learned that universities care more about ratings and

reputations than the actual safety of their students. The way university administration treats rape

and sexual assault allegations on their campuses is without a doubt unfair. It can be seen from

survivors at campuses across the country, and even here. In 2013 a young woman and James

Madison University student attended spring break where she was filmed being raped by three

fraternity brothers. Even with tangible evidence, her case was not processed for over a year.

After her case was settled, the only punishment to the three men involved was expulsion upon

graduation. In short, these men were able to attend JMU and remain on campus freely until after

they graduated (Cruise). Settlements like this is what continues to drive rape culture on college

campus. Although in recent years, many universities have been taking a step in the right

direction, there is still much to be done. End rape on college campuses.

References

Campus sexual violence: Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.rainn.org/statistics/campus-sexual-violence

Dick, K. (Director). (2015). Erica’s story (uncut) [Video file]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38P3Gt15xQk
Rape On College Campus 7

Ziering, A. (Producer), & Dick, K. (Director). (2015). The hunting ground [Motion

picture]. USA: The Weinstein Company, Radius-TWC.

Cruise, G. (2014, June 17). Former JMU student speaks out on sexual assault. WHSV.

Retrieved from http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/Former-JMU-Student-Speaks-

Out-on-Sexual-Assault-263548111.html