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Problem of Rape on Campus

NCJ Number
119713
Date Published
Unknown
Length
8 pages
Annotation
In recent years, the incidence of rape on college campuses has increased. According to a 1974 survey, the average rape rate was between one and twelve per campus per year.
Abstract
Rape and the fear of it have many ramifications, such as the restriction of educational opportunities; Women may avoid courses that meet in the evening or that have finals scheduled for the evening. Despite a model security system at a southern university, two coeds were raped and murdered. In 1975, in a sample of 55 college students 26 percent reported that they had experienced either rape or attempted rape within the past three years, though not necessarily on campus. Most rape estimates include only those that have been reported to police; There may be up to nine times as many unreported offenses. Women list the following reasons for not reporting rape: fear of poor treatment or indifference from police and prosecutors, fear of trial procedures, fear of public or family embarrassment, and fear of revenge from the rapist. This report dispels the myths that rape is an impulse act; that all women want to be raped; that only women with bad reputations are raped; that rape victims through their behavior or apparel essentially asked for it; that the primary motive is sexual; and that black men rape white women. It also asserts that colleges share the responsibility for rape prevention, as campus conditions may encourage or discourage rape. It suggests strategies to be used by women, colleges, and the criminal justice system to prevent rape and to lessen the physical and emotional trauma and includes techniques for women to use when confronted by a rapist. Footnotes, 2 appendixes.

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