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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015
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SEO: DOJ says Campus Sexual Assault Rates Soar
SUMMARY BLURB-TEASER:
As of November 11 college campuses leave students at risk
A new DOJ report suggests that college students, especially women are now at a high risk
of being sexually assaulted. The college campus shifts from a place of safeness, to a state
of unease.
MAIN HEAD AND ARTICLE:
College campuses become hotbed for sexual assault
A new DOJ report suggests increased rate of sexual assault cases
In a Jan. 2014 study, the U.S.
Department of Justice study reveals that 22
million women, are raped in their lifetimes.
The DOJ defines sexual assault as any type of
sexual contact that occurs without explicit
consent by the recipient. Strangers only
perpetrate 14 percent of rape cases, meaning the
majority of rapists are somebody the victim
knows.
Why college campuses?

Custom infographic by Nikki

Chwatt
The most common type of rape on college campuses is
incapacitated assault. This means the rapists takes advantage of the victim while under
the influence.
Only 12 percent of students report their aggressors to law enforcement. This lack of
reporting leaves many cases of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and drug and
alcohol abuse unlinked to rape cases.
(more)

Chwatt (WR #20), A#6 Campus sexual assault, 2

Additionally, the DOJ finds that

most campus rapists are serial
offenders, with over half
admitting to an average of six
rapes in their college career.
Statistics of Sexual Assault
The Rape, Abuse and Incest
Network states that every 107
Men gather at McKeldin Mall to walk one mile in womens
seconds, another American is
shoes. Photo from Office of Civil Rights and Sexual
sexually assaulted. RAINN also
Misconduct
says 98 percent of assailants will
never see a day in jail. Although prevalent on college campuses, sexual assault and rape
cases also affect the greater U.S. population.
The DOJ report states:
Multiracial women are more likely to be raped than any other racial group.
Almost half of female victims are raped before they turn 18.
A quarter of male victims are raped before age 10.
High-risk groups include people with disabilities, the LGBT community, prison
inmates and the homeless population.
Sexual Assault at UMD
ABC News reports a steady rise in sexual assault cases at the university and in the DC
area. The attorney general believes this increase comes from a decreased stigma
surrounding sexual assault.
The universitys Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct has several strategies to
combat sexual assault on campus.
The universitys programs include the Rule of Thumb pledge, which states students
pledge to be part of the solution, and UMd Its On Us Campaign, a series of short public
service announcements educating students on sexual assault prevention. These events
bring the community together to increase awareness and try to solve the sexual assault
problem.
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