Sexual Assault on Campus - Research Paper Example

Sexual Assault on Campus al affiliation Sexual Assault on Campus Introduction Sexual assault is a major problem in campuswith statistics showing that 20-25% of college women will be victims of sexual harassment or assault during their college life (Hines et al. 2012). Statistics from the 1970s show that sexual assault has been increasing (Wilcox, Jordan & Pritchard, 2006). Women are the main victims; however, their outcomes are mild while the outcomes of males who sexually assaulted are worst. There has been a controversy on gender differences, outcomes, causes of sexual assault, and the people responsible for sexual abuse (Hayes et al. 2013). The controversy continues on the critical topic because of the overlap that exists between theory and empirical research. There is much theory, but little research has been done on the topic. For instance, there are only a few documented studies on the effects of sexual assault (Exner & Cummings, 2011). The issue has been denied the attention it deserves like other crimes in the campus environment. This paper will be at analyzing the controversy in sexual assault in campus and the different issues related to it. Sexual assault Sexual assault in campuses is a reality with women being the major victims of this vise. There exist studies exploring gender differences when it comes to sexual assault (Wilcox, Jordan & Pritchard, 2006). These studies have shown that women in college are the main victims; however, the effects are worse to males (Exner & Cummings, 2011). When males are sexually assaulted, the outcomes are severe because of the climate in campus where men have been empowered. Therefore, there is a controversy on the widely affected gender and the intensity of outcomes on the different genders. College populations are said to be major victims of sexual assault because they are in the age group that experiences most of the social activities and dating. Through dating and the social activities, students end up being sexually assaulted by people close to them when they fail to satisfy their wants. According to Casey & Nurius (2006), sexual assault peaks at adolescence. This makes sexual assault to be more prevalent in colleges than in the general population. Substance use is also common among college students (Hayes et al. 2013). This further increases the risk of victimization by reducing the ability to ignore or resist unwanted advances. Statistics, on the other hand, show that a sexual assault in campus is at around 25% with women being major victims of this. Scholars like Casey & Nurius (2006) claim that these statistics do not give a real picture of the level of sexual assault in campus. The two scholars claim that more than 37% of the cases of sexual assault in campus go unreported. This is because some are minor. It has also being found that men in campus do not report when they are sexually. There is also personal fear of reporting sexual assault. For instance, when males report they fear that they will be, or their peers will see them as cowards. In many campuses, there is an adjudication process that the victims have to take part in once they report (Wilcox, Jordan & Pritchard, 2006). Many students fear this because it may eat away much of their time they could have utilized in their studies. Therefore, sexual assault in campus may be severe or adverse than what available statistics shows. The main type of sexual assault in campus is rape. This is more common among women. A study carried in 2007 in university in New York, and Ohio found that 28% of women in campus had been reported (Hines et al. 2012). Majority of those who are sexually are done so by people they know. Therefore, they usually know their offenders who in most cases are their classmates, friends, an ex-boyfriend/boyfriend, or an acquaintance. This mostly happens at night when the two are together. For instance, a male student in a lady’s hostel may decide to rape her when she fails to meet his demands. Ninety percent of the cases are done within the school facility (Exner & Cummings, 2011; Hayes et al. 2013). Since there are rules about time one should be in the hostels of the opposite gender, at times the victims are the cause when they allow men in their rooms past the recommended hours. In such cases, it becomes hard to report because the victims created the environment where they are sexually. One theory that has been developed to explain about sexual harassment and assault in campus is the routine activities theory (Hayes et al. 2013). According to the theory, sexual assault is a result of opportunity. This happens when three factors are present. The first one is the absence of capable guardians to protect one against the crime. The second one is a motivated offender, and the third one is a suitable target (Wilcox, Jordan & Pritchard, 2006; Casey & Nurius, 2006). In campus, there are few guardians since the students are in most times on their own. Therefore, they make their decisions without the support of parents. Motivation comes from substance use and the nature of the campus environment that highly encourages socialization. A target victim comes in when the victim has relations with another student (Exner & Cummings, 2011). For instance, a male student who takes alcohol is likely to sexually assault his female counterpart who takes alcohol. When the three factors are present, it becomes easy to witness cases of sexual assault. In some cases, the victim is to blame because they create an environment where they end up being sexually harassed. For instance, female students joining their male counterparts for a drink will have to blame when she falls victim of a sexual assault. The lifestyle of a student has a major influence on their risk of getting sexually assaulted. This is controversial in a way because some scholars claim that students with a miserable lifestyle such as daily drinkers are less likely to fall victims of sexual assault (Hayes et al. 2013). Other scholars claim that students with such a miserable are the ones who are most likely to fall victims of sexual abuse. The level of vulnerability also varies from one student to the other because the learners are from different backgrounds. Researchers have been interested in finding out why the rate of sexual assault in campuses has continued to increase despite the attention the matter has been given. The main attribute to the levels of sexual assault in campus to alarming levels is the students who are responsible. The culprits often face little or no punishment from the school judicial systems (Exner & Cummings, 2011). Since sexual assault has been, policy makers have not taken matter with much interest as other crimes in campus (Hines et al. 2012). Therefore, many cases are not reported, and the few that are reported are not with the seriousness deserved. The sad fact is the few instances where the culprit students responsible are not punished. Sexual assault in campus has also increased because men have encouraged other men to objectify women. This creates a climate where sexual assault appears to be an appropriate behavior. Men have formed their peer groups in campuses (Exner & Cummings, 2011). It is through this group that they objectify women. In some campuses, it has become a trend where women even expect that they will be sexually harassed and assaulted. Due to this trend it becomes hard to report cases of sexual harassment as the victims see it as part of campus life (Hayes et al. 2013). The society has also created an image where sexual assault is like a rite of passage for first years in colleges and universities. Therefore, males are ready to mistreat a lady to join the legends who make women objects. Another reason for increased rate of sexual assault in campus is poor orientation and education on crime. When students join a college or a university, they are to be oriented on the ethical issues, policies, and crimes that are not allowed in the school environment. In the process, learners are also educated on how to prevent falling victims of crimes such as sexual abuse (Hayes et al. 2013). When the learners are mentally prepared to meet these challenges in campus, they can develop defense mechanisms for instance; avoid peer groups that will mistreat them. The trend on orientation has changed as school administrators are on the content they will offer to the learners rather than the conduct of the learners within the school environment (Exner & Cummings, 2011). Following the concern of parents who want their children to be safe in college, the government has formulated several policies. In 1990, the Congress passed the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy as well as the Campus Crime Statistics Act also known as the Clery Act (Wilcox, Jordan & Pritchard, 2006). The Act required all the federally funded colleges and universities to disclose their crime statistics annually. Because of fear of crime among the students, policy makers, parents and the society there is little reporting that has been done. A study carried out in 2008 in the University of Ohio, found that only 4-8% of the cases of sexual assault were reported to the school authority with another 2% reporting to the police (Hines et al. 2012; Casey & Nurius, 2006). Therefore, sexual assault is significantly underreported. This has made it hard for the policy makers to come up with strict policies that will see victims face serious punishment. When it comes to the victims, the outcomes have been worsened because of poor support. Although reporting helps victims access community resources and referrals that aid them in the healing process, there is little support to the healing process (Exner & Cummings, 2011). The victims are likely to develop psychological problems. This becomes worse in cases where the victims know the people who sexually mistreated them. Since they are all in the same learning environment, the victims get frustrated every time they see the people who mistreated them (Hines, et al. 2012; Wilcox, Jordan & Pritchard, 2006). The victims are also likely to isolate themselves from the other learners. Some scholars term this as a withdrawal, and it worsens when the victims fail to receive after care. When it comes to academics, the victims are likely to perform poorly because their minds are with the events that incurred rather than the academic part. Learners who fall victims of sexual assault are also likely to engage in huge drinking and substance use (Casey & Nurius, 2006). They do this so that they can overcome the depression and try to forget what faced them. Conclusion In conclusion, sexual assault needs to be treated as a serious issue in campus because of its effects that affect both undergraduates and graduate. It also affects their educational outcome considering that 90% of the cases have been reported within the school environment. The students responsible for sexual assault need to face the brutality of the law so that other students can fear. The victims on their side need after care so that they can be helped to recover from the trauma. On the side of scholars, there is a need of more research because empirical research will help to show how the issue is serious. Since their issue has become a debate, there is a need of more research so that the stand or a specific position may be taken concerning the matter. If a position the crime will not be treated as it is and the number of students who are sexually assaulted will continue to increase. It should be considered as part of adolescent studies because studies that have been carried out in the past have shown clearly that the rate of sexual assault increases at adolescence. References Casey, E. A., & Nurius, P. S. (2006). Trends in the prevalence and characteristics of sexual violence: A cohort analysis. Violence and Victims, 21(5), 629-44. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208531803?accountid=1611 Exner, D., & Cummings, N. (2011). Implications for sexual assault prevention: College students as prosocial bystanders. Journal of American College Health, 59(7), 655-657. Hines, D. A., PhD., Armstrong, J. L., M.A., Reed, K. P., PhD., & Cameron, A. Y., M.A. (2012). Gender differences in sexual assault victimization among college students. Violence and Victims, 27(6), 922-40. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1243100581?accountid=1611 Krivoshey, M. S., Adkins, R., Hayes, R., Nemeth, J. M., & Klein, E. G. (2013). Sexual assault reporting procedures at Ohio colleges. Journal of American College Health, 61(3), 142-147. Wilcox, P., Jordan, C. E., & Pritchard, A. J. (2006). Fear of acquaintance versus stranger rape as a "master status": Towards refinement of the "shadow of sexual assault". Violence and Victims, 21(3), 355-70. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208527688?accountid=1611 Read More