Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault on College Campuses

In light of October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we wanted to focus on domestic violence and sexual assault on campuses. While sexual assault is a major issue on campus, many don’t realize that intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant issue among college students. Women aged 16-24 experience the highest per capita rate of intimate partner violence in the United States. This is just one of the many eye-opening facts that demonstrate the severity of domestic violence among young people in this country. The following are more statistics showing the frequency of domestic violence and sexual assault, specifically on college campuses.

      21% of college students report having experienced dating violence by a current partner. 33% experience dating violence by a previous partner.

      13% of college women report they were forced to have sex by a dating partner.

      Over 13% of college women report they have been stalked. Of these, 42% were stalked by a boyfriend or ex-boyfriend.

      Nearly one-third of college students report having been physically assaulted a dating partner in the previous 12 months.

      Approximately 90% of victims of sexual assault on college campuses know their attacker.

Domestic violence and sexual assault on campuses occur often but are not always dealt with. College students are faced with obstacles, like fear of judgment from peers, that prevent them reaching out for help. Many students often have a small social circle, in which their abuser is in, causing them to feel limited. They often feel trapped by the closeness of college campuses, making it difficult to ask for help. Students also face the issue of not knowing what to classify as abuse and downplaying the problems they experience. The conversation of assault is diminished, especially when alcohol is involved, causing students who have suffered violence to excuse the behavior. While about 6 in every 1,000 students will be sexually assaulted, about 80 percent of sexual assaults go unreported by female college students. In addition to this, 52% of college students know someone being abused, but don’t intervene due to fear of making matters worse, or feeling like it is none of their business. They also may know the abuser or feel as though bringing light to the abuse could make it worse for the victim. Abuse happens on college campuses every day, and everyday students feel the need to remain silent. Transitions hopes to spread awareness and end that silence.
 
On Saturday, October 27th, 2018 Transitions will be holding a “Walk For No More” to take a stand against domestic violence and sexual assault. The walk will be held in Hufnagle Park, Lewisburg PA, and registration starts at 10am. Please join us in our effort to raise awareness about the seriousness of sexual assault and domestic violence, as we strive for no more.

 

 
 
Written by Emily Hompe and Clare Kelly, Bucknell University

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